The 7 Best Color-Restoring Car Waxes: Pros And Cons
Your car’s paint endures a lot of abuse, from UV rays to chipping to dirt, grime, and other irritants. What are the best color restoring car waxes? Over time your car’s exterior will break down and show signs of fading. The harmful chemicals in the environment and the blistering heat of the sun’s UV rays can wreak havoc on the fragile layer of paint covering all that metal. Waxing a car can help protect your paint and provide an additional barrier between your vehicle and the outside elements.
What’s the best color-restoring car wax?
The best color restoring car waxes are
- Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black
- Turtle Wax Color Magic Car Paintwork Polish & Shine
- Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax
- Griot’s Garage Liquid Gloss Poly Wax
- Mckee’s 37 Hydro Blue
- 3D Cherry
- Nu Finish NFP-80 Car Polish
Bringing back a car’s original color can help the car’s resale value, protects against future damage, removes minor imperfections, and makes you talk of the club. But as a restorer will tell you, working wax into a car’s exterior is a bit of work, but the results are worth it. But which should you choose? You want to be careful when working with a color restoring wax so that you don’t have to spend more money to redo the paint job.
Let’s see if we can review some of the best products on the market today and see if we can help you choose which color-restoring wax is best for you.
What is a Color Restoring Car Wax?
Colored car wax is simply wax that has an added color tint to the formula. At one time, purveyors offered lots of different colors, but lately, most companies have limited their choices to black or white (dark or light). Because there are so many paint codes for automobiles, it may be challenging to find a color restoring wax that exactly matches your particular vehicle.
There is a lot of debate about whether a color restoring wax is needed to bring out the ultimate shine on your car.
Most detailers advocate a good Carnauba wax that is easy to apply. Both types of waxes are designed to work on blending the paint on minor scratches. Deep marks or pits likely need to expertise of a touch-up or paint restorer. No wax colored or other will correct an oxidized hood showing severe signs of rust or degradation.
The Best Color Restoring Car Waxes
Several great products out there can work to refresh a car’s finish while working on minor scratches. Not every product listed below is a bonafide color-tinted wax, but they are still excellent and have been rated by car enthusiasts with excellent reviews.
You must select your brand based on your needs and what you desire to do with your particular car.
Please note: as you might imagine, following the instructions on the back of the bottle is essential to ensure that the wax is precisely what you want. Also, it is excellent to begin polishing an inconspicuous area and assess the effect before applying it to the entire car.
Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
If you own a black vehicle, you know that even the slightest scratch can stand out like a neon sign on a car’s dark finish. Even the slightest contact with foreign material against the surface will make a lasting scuff or scratch.
This Turtle Wax compound is made with a black pigment polish mixed with a Carnauba wax that instantly fills light imperfections and leaves a deep reflective shine as it is wiped off. This wax for black cars has a longer-lasting coating than most and works very well against the kinds of water spots that happen when moisture from rain or water splatter dries on the car.
The product contains ceramic polymers and black acrylic compounds compatible with black, dark blue, and charcoal paint exteriors.
Turtle Wax has been around for years and is one of the big players when it comes to making car wax products. For over 75 years, TW has been working on making polishes and waxes to help car owners protect and polish their cars. The Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic is easy to use, just wash the car, spray the hybrid wax solution on the car and wipe it off.
Allow the first application to cure, and most minor scratches should disappear. Some users applied a second coating if needed, but most reviews rated the product very highly.
Price – $17.49 on Amazon
Features –
- Black pigment Carnauba wax
- Easy application
- Long-lasting – protects against water spots
- Good reputation
- Fairly inexpensive –
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Made by #1 wax maker
- One of the Best Color restorers out there.
- Made in Willowbrook, Illinois.
Cons:
- You might need more than one application for the best results.
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
Turtle Wax Color Magic Car Paintwork Polish & Shine
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
If you own a red car, we might recommend something that is technically not wax but a polish. The formula is designed especially for vehicles with minor blemishes and scratches. The compound is easy to go on and easy to wipe off.
Very reasonably priced. Turtle wax makes a variety of colors; jet black, sterling silver, white and ultra blue.
Consumers should try to match as close to their color of paint code as possible, (We recommend using the product in an inconspicuous area first just to see if it matches – one reviewer complained that the red compound made the scratch area worse because it didn’t match completely).
This post is not wax; it’s polish. Most general users will find Turtle Wax Color Magic buffs to remove minor scratches and shine the essential clear coat and paint to bring out a shine. Any large area may not help, and you may need to seek out the help of a detailer.
Price – $22.99
Features”
- Easy application
- Long-lasting – but does need treatments every six months
- Fairly inexpensive –
- Good reviews –
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Multiple colors mean a better chance of matching paint.
- Headquartered in Chicago.
Cons:
- Might need more than one application every six months for the best results.
- It might be hard to match your color
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Even though Meguiar’s started over a hundred years ago as a furniture polish company, the company has built a decent following over its selection of car, marine, and RV waxes, polishes, and other compounds.
Used by professional detailers, car clubs, and auto manufacturers, the. constant demands of car enthusiasts led the company to see the market they were missing. Their furniture polish was a natural progression to the wood in cars. It wasn’t long before they tweaked the formula for metal and painted surfaces.
Today, Meguiar’s hosts over 3300 car clubs across the country (which is a great reason to support them with a purchase, just saying).
The Ultimate Liquid Wax and their Gold Class compound are best sellers, and the Ultimate has received fantastic reviews on various websites.
The wax works on buffing out minor scratches and imperfections and creates a solid bond enhancing the clear coats and glossy paints. This product should not be used for matte finishes. The application is easy (wipes on and then wipes off). Some reviewers found it a more effortless glide over the surface of the vehicle). You can use this product with a hand applicator or an electric motored polisher.
Also, this car wax was recommended by Consumer Reports with a higher rating than most of its competitors.
Price – $18.49 on Amazon
Features –
- Carnauba wax
- Easy application
- Long-lasting – but does need treatments every six months
- Fairly inexpensive –
Pros:
- Ease of use
- The company gives back to car lovers.
- Made in Memphis – Elvis would’ve loved this.
Cons:
- You might need more than one application every six months for the best results.
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
Griot’s Garage Liquid Gloss Poly Wax
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Griot’s Garage is a newcomer to the wax business, starting the company in the 1990s. The family-owned operation has a variety of waxes, polishes, and polymers that deliver excellent results. Many car enthusiasts are turning to Griots to keep the sheen on their classic autos.
Several reviews indicated that it was the best wax they had ever used.
While the folks at Griots claim that the liquid Poly wax will create a finish just like your car came out of the paint booth, they aren’t entirely wrong.
It is a primary liquid on and wipe-off compound and should provide durable protection against wet spots and water condensation. The kit includes a microfiber towel and applicator pad, along with the bottle of the wax itself.
Price – $24.99 on Amazon
Features –
- Very good Poly wax
- Easy application
- Long-lasting – but does need treatments every six months
- Moderately priced
Pros:
- Ease of use
- The company gives back to car clubs
- Made in Plainfield, Indiana –
Cons:
- It must be every six months for the best results.
- Do not use it in direct sunlight or on a hot day.
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
Mckee’s 37 Hydro Blue
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
McKee’s 37 Hydro Blue will set your wallet back a bit at $99, (if you buy the kit), but the essential spray is moderately priced and by far the easiest to use.
This simple wipe and spray-off SiO2 coating (yes, you read that right), will make you wonder why you spent so long hand buffing the car when you could have just grabbed a garden house and let it do the work. Because Hydro Blue is water active, you can work on the car in the same way as washing, just apply it to a panel and rinse off with a strong spray.
The sealant will create a water-resistant shine. The only downside is that you need to retreat about every 3-6 months or so, but for those who are so meticulous about keeping our cars looking great, this is no big deal.
You can use this compound on glass, and get rid of brake dust, so you don’t have to be too careful when applying it. (Always a plus for awkward car guys like myself).
Price – $24.99 on Amazon
Features –
- Easies application
- Good for beginners
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Works on glass
- Made in Suart, Fl.
Cons:
- Must be every six months for the best results.
- Not as well-known
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
3D Cherry
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Here is a compound that smells great while applying it to your car. (That’s right, you guessed it, the wax has a cherry scent).
The formula is a relatively new compound designed to be used on darker-colored cars, although some reviewers have used the product on white or lighter colors with fantastic results). The deep gloss carnauba wax is easy to use; simply wipe it on and off.
This wax is suitable for touch-ups and regular maintenance work on all car exteriors. It will not jurt fiberglass or bumpers and is recommended as a good all-around use product.
3D manufacturers offer a wide variety of products that can be used to keep your car looking its best.
Price – $19.99
Features –
- Easies application
- Works on a variety of substances
- Smells great going on
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Works everywhere
- USA – Santa Clara made
Cons:
- It must be every six months for the best results.
- Not as well-known
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.
Nu Finish NFP-80 Car Polish
Last update on 2024-04-23 / If you click this affiliate link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Consumer Reports rates this polish as their best buy. They put the compound through vigorous testing, which outscored every other wax or polymer.
The application is easy. Simply rub on an area at a time with a damp cloth, let it dry to a haze, and then wipe off with a clean, dry microfiber towel. While hand waxing a car might seem a little old-school, the formula comes in liquid and spray formulas for those who don’t care for more elbow grease.
Nu-Finish is owned by the parent company Energizer (Yes, the energizer bunny probably uses Nu-Finish). The company is based out of the St. Louis area and is a leading distributor of batteries.
It owns many automotive protective companies, including STP, Bahama Mama, Armor-All, and many others. It’s also the most affordable wax for color-restoration on this list.
Price – $14.99
Features –
- Easies application
- Works on a variety of substances
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Works everywhere
- #1 rated brand on Consumer Reports
Cons:
- It must be every six months for the best results.
- Not as well-known
- Made in China
For more information or to read additional reviews, check out the manufacturer’s website.