10 Best Liquid Car Waxes of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you’re an avid car enthusiast, you want not only the best-looking finish on your car but also the best protection possible. A good liquid wax makes the job much easier and will give you the showroom shine that you desire.

After washing your car, applying a coat of wax to your car’s exterior will provide protection from the sun’s UV rays, road grime, and water spots. There are many liquid wax options available today that make it an easy process to do from home, so you don’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars at a detailer. All you’ll need is time, a fair amount of elbow grease, and a good-quality liquid wax of your choosing.

But how to choose the best car wax? We’ve put together this list of in-depth reviews to help you choose the right liquid car wax for your needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax	Easy removal Doesn’t stain plastic trim Hydrophobic formula to prevent watermarks	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Turtle Wax Liquid Car Wax	Inexpensive Long-lasting shine Easy and quick to apply	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		CarGuys Liquid Wax	Only needs to be applied a couple times a year Easy to apply and remove Can be used on mirrors, glass, and rims	CHECK PRICE
		Mothers California Carnauba Liquid Wax	Heat resistant Highly durable UV protection	CHECK PRICE
		Turtle Wax ICE Liquid Wax	ICE “time-release” technology Fills in scratches and swirls Included applicator and microfiber towel	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Liquid Car Waxes

1. Meguiar’s G18220 Ultimate Liquid Wax — Best Overall

The G18220 Ultimate Liquid Wax from Meguiar’s will give your car’s finish a showroom sheen in one easy step and is our top choice for a liquid car wax. Removing wax can sometimes be tricky, especially in the hot sun, but the thin film technology from Meguiar’s makes for easy removal and will not stain the plastic trim or bumper on your car. It features an advanced formula with synthetic polymers that will crosslink and form a protective, durable layer for your car’s finish. This barrier will also amplify reflection and give your car a mirror-like shine, and its hydrophobic polymers force water to roll right off the paint and prevent water marks.

It is safe to use on any glossy finish and can be applied by hand or via a machine polisher. A small downside is that some users claim that it leaves behind an oily haze that can be difficult to remove, especially on glass.

2. Turtle Wax T-123R Liquid Car Wax — Best Value

Turtle Wax is one of the most well-known car waxes in the world, and its T-123R liquid car wax tops our reviews for the best liquid car wax for the money. It won’t cost you much initially, and Turtle Wax claims that the protective layer will last up to 12 months, making it great value for money. It’s simple and easy to apply and can be used to clean and protect clouded headlights too.

Some users claim that although the wax layer does last a long time, it won’t protect your car’s finish as long and ideally needs to be replaced regularly for optimum protection. This small caveat is what keeps it from our top spot. However, it’s a highly effective product for the price.

3. CarGuys Liquid Wax — Premium Choice

This liquid wax from Car Guys is a premium product with a premium price tag. That said, it only needs to be applied one or two times a year, making it great value for the money. It is easy to apply and remove and features nano-polymer particles that provide a deep mirror-like and protective shine that lasts. This product is a polymer sealant, so it will give your car the shine of traditional wax, combined with the protection of a paint-sealant, in one easy-to-apply product.

It is perfect for paint but can also be used on your car’s glass, mirrors, and rims and has a specialized hydrophobic barrier technology to prevent watermarks. It also comes with a high-quality microfiber towel and an applicator pad.

4. Mothers 05750 California Carnauba Liquid Wax

This pure Brazilian carnauba liquid wax from Mothers is non-abrasive and contains heat-resistant carnauba wax that is long-lasting and will provide a protective, mirror-like shine to your vehicle’s finish. Carnauba wax is well-known and widely used due to its UV protective qualities and the durable, long-lasting finish that it can provide. For best results, it should be used as part three of a three-step system from Mothers. Steps one and two are to clean and smooth the surface of your vehicle, respectively. This liquid wax seals the surface for lasting shine and protection.

Being a wax, it is more difficult to remove than a polymer-based product, and users report multiple passes may be required before finally removing it. This makes it ideally suited for use with an orbital machine, rather than by hand.

5. Turtle Wax T-468R ICE Liquid Wax

ICE T-468R liquid wax from Turtle Wax will deliver long-lasting and water-resistant shine to your car’s finish. It uses a wax-infused blend to fill in scratches and swirls and is safe to use on all types of vehicle finish, as well as on plastic, chrome, and headlights. It features specialized polymer technology that bonds to paint and clear coats for a long-lasting and durable shine. It also has a “time-release” technology that slows the bonding of the polymers and thus “cures” and locks in the protection. It also includes a high-quality applicator and microfiber towel, so you can get waxing immediately.

This wax is fairly watery in comparison to the creamy texture of other liquid waxes, so it can be tricky to apply. You’ll need to completely saturate the included applicator in order to spread the wax evenly and thoroughly.

6. MEGUIAR’S G200416 Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax uses advanced Si02 hybrid technology, which provides the benefit of ceramic protection to seal the finish of your vehicle and the simplicity and ease of use of a traditional liquid wax. It can be used on any type of paint finish and dries clear, so it is suitable for plastic, vinyl, and mirrors. It can be applied by hand or via an orbital machine polisher.

Be careful not to get this wax on glass, as it will leave an oily haze that can be difficult to remove. Because it dries clear, depending on the color of your car’s finish, it can be difficult to see where you’ve applied it. It is thick and buttery, making it easier to apply than to remove.

7. Carfidant C301 Premium Liquid Car Wax

Carfidant C301 features a specially formulated nano-polymer design that makes it highly durable and easy to apply and remove. This formula reputedly lasts longer than traditional wax mixes and can be safely applied by hand or with an orbital machine. It comes with an applicator pad and a soft towel for product removal.

It has a thick consistency that makes it easy to apply but tricky to spread evenly. Be careful when applying, as it should not be used on plastic or vinyl trims because it is likely to stain. If any gets on glass, it will leave a hazy, oily residue and can be difficult to remove.

8. TriNova Liquid Carnauba Car Wax

This liquid wax from TriNova will give your car’s finish the traditional shine and protection obtained from carnauba wax, combined with the modern technology of polymer-based durability. It will protect your car from UV rays, oxidization, and road grime while giving it a showroom shine. It has a creamy consistency that makes it easy to apply safely by hand or via an orbital machine.

That said, it can be difficult to remove, even when not applied in the sun or left on too long. It is also not suitable for plastics, vinyl trim, or glass, and it is likely to stain.

9. 3M 39026 Perfect-It Show Car Liquid Wax

This liquid wax from 3M will protect your vehicle from UV rays, water marks, and road grime and give it a slick, mirror-like finish. It has a polymer-infused formula that is durable and longer-lasting than a traditional wax. It is safe to use on any finish and can be applied easily by hand or via an orbital polisher.

While application is easy, removal can be tricky. Users report it drying out quickly and then becoming difficult to buff off, even with a machine polisher. Also, try not to get it on any plastic trim or glass, as that will be even harder to remove. Some users also report streaking if applied too heavily.

10. Griot’s Garage 11013 Liquid Wax

This three-in-one liquid wax from Griot’s Garage will give your vehicle a deep, glossy finish and the protection of a carnauba wax-infused formula. It features a micro-abrasive three-in-one formula that cleans, removes light swirls and scratches, and then protects your finish. It is easily applied by hand, or if you prefer, it is safe to use with a machine orbiter too.

Despite its claims, this works great as a general polish but will not remove even light scratches. It is also fairly difficult to remove if left on for a while, which the instructions tell you to do! Users report a sticky finish even after buffing, so less is definitely more when applying this product.

Buyers Guide – Choosing the Best Liquid Car Wax

It’s important to give your beloved vehicle a good coating of wax regularly. This will protect it from the elements, help prevent scratches and swirls, and give it a longer-lasting and more durable shine. A liquid wax makes this process far easier.

Traditional car waxes are thick and hard and require serious elbow grease or a machine buffer to apply properly. Liquid waxes, on the other hand, are more forgiving and are easy to apply and easy to remove. This saves both your arm muscles and your time.

More modern versions of liquid car wax are either a completely synthetic polymer compound or a carnauba-infused formula. Even a liquid wax with carnauba included in it will have a lower concentration of wax and therefore, will not perform like a 100% wax product. But the combination of the two has several benefits: It’s simple to apply and provides longer-lasting shine and protection.

While many claim that a synthetic wax or combination wax will underperform compared to a traditional wax, it is perfectly suitable for most users. The only caveat may be on older vehicles — an old, dull finish will benefit from a traditional wax because it helps smooth out bumps and fill in holes. Of course, this is nothing that a good orbital buffer cannot easily fix.

For newer cars with high-gloss finishes that just need routine maintenance, a liquid wax is perfect because it is easier on the finish of your vehicle.

In summary, liquid wax has the following benefits over pure wax paste:

• Easy to apply and remove
• Gentler on your car’s finish
• Prevents scratches and swirls
• Protects against UV rays
• Offers the protection of traditional waxes combined with modern polymer technology
• Lasts longer than paste wax

Conclusion

The winner of our tests for the best car wax is the G18220 Ultimate Liquid Wax from Meguiar’s. It will give your car’s finish a showroom sheen in one easy step, and its hydrophobic polymers force water to roll right off the paint and prevent water marks. It is a high-quality product from a trusted name that will not disappoint.

The best liquid car wax for the money is Turtle Wax T-123R liquid car wax. Its protective layer will last up to 12 months, it’s simple and easy to apply, and it can be used to clean and protect clouded headlights, all without emptying your pockets. Turtle wax is sure to give you the best buff for your buck!

Hopefully, we’ve helped you navigate the wide array of liquid car waxes available and have assisted you in choosing the best liquid wax for your unique needs.