Wax Shootout - Best Car Waxs and Sealants
Is an expensive wax really better than a cheap wax from the parts store? I will compare a wide array of waxes to find out if $40+ boutique waxes are really slicker, last longer, shine brighter, and bead water better. How do they compare to the cheapest products on the market? Will a $7 wax surprise me?
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Last posted in September of 2021
Shootout Standings:
The table below is a quick way to review all the present day test results. New results come in as I perform added testing. Overall the goal is to get relative point scoring between these products to understand how they compare. I will also make an annual video in late spring/early summer to recommend top products.
Easy to Use?
A pass/fail rating worth 1 point based on the ease of application of the product. The rating is subjective as it's my opinion. It is also relative to the category of the product. For instance coatings are harder to apply than waxes. So I wouldn't fail a coating if it's harder to use than a wax, but I would fail it if it's harder to use than most coatings.
Looks Good?
This is a pass/fail rating to determine if the product looks good once applied, and it's worth 1 point. The rating is subjective as it's my opinion based on how the product looks compared to a control section of the test panel. I'm looking for a deep glossy look. Ashiness and dullness would result in a fail.
Slickness
This test is based on the measured static coefficient of friction (μs). We measure gram-force required to move a stationary 1,040g rigid test block across the waxed hood. When polished the hood without a wax takes 400g of force on average to get the block moving, for a μs of 0.38. Waxed surfaces should yield less force requirement and a lower μs. I award 0.3 points for every 100th of a μs below 0.38. You can find out more in this video: Slickness Testing
UVA Score
Many waxes claim UV protection. In my testing cyanotype paper is exposed to UVA light while under a wax treated pane of glass for 4 minutes and examined against a scale 0-4 minute of exposures. Points are awarded on a scale of 0-16 based on the shade of the exposed paper. You can find out more in this video: UVA Testing
Gloss Delta
I use a glass panel with a known gloss rating as measured by my gloss unit (GU) testing appliance. This panel is then treated with a wax and cured for 24 hours. After curing the delta in gloss is measured. For each change in GU points rounded to 1/10th are awarded. Points can be negative or positive depending on loss or gain in gloss. The underlying panel has 94GU as of today. This is representative of a good polished paint job.
Durability
Waxes are supposed to survive over a period of time and protect the underlying clear coat and paint. To test durability waxes are applied to a test hood that was polished and prepped to accept the wax. The hood is then cured for 24 hours (or longer if required by instructions) and washed repeatedly until the wax no longer beads adequately. A pH neutral shampoo is used and itis the same shampoo (Adam's Blue) for each test.
Paste Waxes
| Product | Easy to Use? | Looks Good? | Slickness | UVA Score | Gloss Delta | Durability | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft99 Fusso Coat Original * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.8 | 0 | -5.9 | 70 | +73.9 |
| Soft99 Fusso Coat New * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 0 | -4.2 | 22 | +28.2 |
Liquid Waxes
| Product | Easy to Use? | Looks Good? | Slickness | UVA Score | Gloss Delta | Durability | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Liquid | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 1 | -1.1 | 30 | +40.3 |
| Rust-Oleum Factor 4 (2oz Kit) * | 0 FAIL | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 0 | -2.2 | 27 | +34.2 |
| Wolfgang SiO2 Paint Sealant | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.7 | 1 | -5.7 | 22 | +28.0 |
| Wolfgang Deep Gloss * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 9.0 | 0 | -0.2 | 12 | +22.8 |
| Jescar Power Lock+ * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 1 | -1.8 | 11 | +20.6 |
| Xtreme LVR 357 Magnum | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 3 | -0.9 | 5 | +17.5 |
| Adam's Ceramic Liquid Wax * | 1 PASS | 0 FAIL | 7.5 | 0 | -0.2 | 9 | +17.3 |
| Collinite 845 * | 0 FAIL | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 0 | -0.5 | 9 | +17.0 |
| Nu Finish NF-76 | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 3 | -1.5 | 3 | +14.9 |
| Klasse All-In-One * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | +14.5 |
| 3D HD Poxy * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 0 | -0.3 | 3 | +13.1 |
| Klasse High Gloss Sealant * | 0 FAIL | 1 PASS | 7.8 | 0 | -1.4 | 5 | +12.4 |
| Adam's Sealant * | 1 PASS | 0 FAIL | 5.1 | 0 | -2.1 | 7 | +11.0 |
| Adam's Buttery Wax (2017+) * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.9 | 0 | -1.6 | 3 | +10.3 |
| Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell * | 0 FAIL | 0 FAIL | 4.8 | 1 | -3.9 | 7 | +8.9 |
| Chemical Guys JetSeal * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.8 | 0 | -7.3 | 3 | +5.5 |
Spray Waxes
| Product | Easy to Use? | Looks Good? | Slickness | UVA Score | Gloss Delta | Durability | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Coat 2.0 | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 1 | -10.2 | 38 | +39.2 |
| Adam's Slick & Slide * | 1 PASS | 0 FAIL | 8.1 | 1 | -2.1 | 28 | +36.0 |
| ExoForma Graphene Detailer | 1 PASS | 0 FAIL | 9.0 | 3 | -4.2 | 24 | +32.8 |
| Turtle Wax Seal N Shine * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 1 | 0.4 | 21 | +31.9 |
| Turtle Wax Seal N Shine (2020 IF) * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.1 | 1 | -0.9 | 21 | +31.2 |
| Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.7 | 2 | -3.4 | 15 | +24.3 |
| Xtreme Solutions Poly-Seal | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.0 | 1 | -2.6 | 16 | +22.4 |
| Xtreme Solutions Topper | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 9.6 | 3 | -4.7 | 10 | +19.9 |
| Gyeon Q2M Cure * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.3 | 3 | -3.2 | 10 | +18.1 |
| Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Spray | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.9 | 2 | -4.8 | 12 | +18.1 |
| CarPro Reload * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 5.7 | 3 | -0.3 | 7 | +17.4 |
| Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 1 | -0.3 | 7 | +17.2 |
| Car Guys Hybrid Wax * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.1 | 1 | -2.4 | 7 | +15.7 |
| Sonax Brilliant Detailer * | 1 PASS | 0 FAIL | -0.3 | 0 | 0.3 | 14 | +15.0 |
| Adam's Spray Wax * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.2 | 1 | 2.5 | 2 | +14.7 |
| P&S Bead Maker * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.4 | 0 | 0.8 | 3 | +14.2 |
| Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | +13.0 |
| Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.3 | 3 | -2.3 | 3 | +12.0 |
| Optimum Opti-Seal * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 3 | 1 | 0.9 | 5 | +11.9 |
| Ultima Paint Guard Plus | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.9 | 3 | -2.0 | 2 | +11.9 |
Ceramic Coatings
| Product | Easy to Use? | Looks Good? | Slickness | UVA Score | Gloss Delta | Durability | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam's Graphene Ceramic Coating | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.5 | 3 | -0.3 | 840 | +852.2 |
| BLACKFIRE Ceramic Black Edition | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 0.3 | 3 | 0.1 | 218 | +223.4 |
| Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.9 | 0 | 3.7 | 113 | +125.6 |
| Adam's Ceramic Spray Coating * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 6.0 | 1 | 2.4 | 70 | +81.4 |
| Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.1 | 3 | -5.3 | 49 | +56.8 |
| Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Spray | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 3.9 | 2 | -0.9 | 37 | +44.0 |
| 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 7.2 | 2 | -4.8 | 27 | +33.4 |
| Adam's UV Ceramic Spray Coating * | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 5.7 | 2 | 0.3 | 17 | +27.0 |
| HydroSilex Recharge Spray | 1 PASS | 1 PASS | 8.1 | 0 | -2.7 | 4 | +11.4 |
List of Tests
- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal vs. Ultima Paint Guard Plus Testing
- Adam's Graphene Ceramic Coating
- Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating
- BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Paint Coating Black Edition
- Xtreme Solutions Topper vs. ExoForma Graphene Detailer
- Nu Finish NF-76 vs. Xtreme Solutions LVR 357 Magnum
- HydroSilex Recharge vs. Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Spray Coating
- 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating
- Wolfgang SiO2 Paint Sealant vs. Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax
- The Last Coat - TLC2
- Xtreme Solutions Poly-Seal vs. Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss
- HydroSilex Recharge Ceramic Coating Wipes
- Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax vs. Griot's Garage Cermaic 3-in-1 Wax
- Turtle Wax Seal N Shine Improved Formula vs. Adam's Spray Wax
- Adam's Ceramic Spray Coating vs. Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating
- Adam's Slick & Slide vs. Turtle Wax Seal N Shine
- Soft99 Fusso Coat - New Formula
- Soft99 Fusso Coat - Original Formula
- Adam's Polishes UV Ceramic Spray Coating
- Chemical Guys JetSeal
- Adam's Polishes Ceramic Liquid Wax
- Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax
- Rust-Oleum Factor 4 vs Car Guy's Hybrid Wax
- Round #2 - June 2019
- Round #1 - May 2019
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal vs. Ultima Paint Guard Plus Testing
Both claim to provide protection with an easy application that involves wiping on and walking away. While they were easy to apply the durability was a let down. They did reasonably well on gloss and slickness, but optically the products didn't really make my panel prettier. Overall I would pass on these.
Wax Test Video Review
Adam's Graphene Ceramic Coating
This product is a liquid ceramic coating which boasts an extreme level of performance. The claim is 10H hardness, 7 years of protection and it's meant to be the big daddy of the previously reviewed spray version.
In testing the product was very easy to install. Furthermore it was insanely durable and reasonably pretty. Slickness was good and the product really has no downsides that I can think of.
Wax Test Video Review
Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating
Turtle Wax scores again with an excellent, easy to use, spray coating product. The claim is that the product is super hydrophobic, with SiO2 polymers that provide up to 12 months of protection. The shine is claimed to be mirror-like with enhanced depth and color.
In our testing this product did very well in the durability category for such a simple product. The gloss was a bit of a let down, but the product still looked visually acceptable. Given the low price point this is an exciting offering.
Wax Test Video Review
BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Paint Coating Black Edition
This product is a liquid ceramic coating which boasts professional level performance. Interestingly it claims to offer a very generous 5 minute wipe up window during flashing which should make it easier to install than most DIY coatings.
In testing the product was indeed easy to wipe up. Furthermore it was incredibly durable and very pretty. Slickness was the only category where the product let us down with a very low score and a potential hazard for paint swirling. That could be remedied with a topper product if it were a significant concern.
Wax Test Video Review
Xtreme Solutions Topper vs. ExoForma Graphene Detailer
Both of these products are final application topper style solutions. They're designed to be sprayed on top of a wax, sealant or coating, but can be used standalone as our tests show. One product really stood out for durability, which was the ExoForma Graphene Detailer at 24 washes. On the other hand the Xtreme Topper had incredible looks and record breaking slikness.
Both products excelled at slickness, but Xtreme really won out in the looks department. I found the ExoForma detail spray to be ashy and makes the paint look lighter. Both were incredibly easy to use, and both products offered more UVA protection than most other products.
Wax Test Video Review
Nu Finish NF-76 vs. Xtreme Solutions LVR 357 Magnum
Nu Finish promises 52 wash durability while Xtreme Solutions says their Magnum wax will give amazing shine. Today we put these claims to the test. We performed application testing, slickness testing, gloss testing, durability testing, UV protection testing, and tell you how good each product looks./p>
Both products had amazing slickness, some of the highest we've recorded. Xtreme and Nu Finish were easy to use, and both products offered more UVA protection than most other products. Looks wise neither blew me away. I found that they both had relatively poor durability, which was disappointing.
Wax Test Video Review
HydroSilex Recharge vs. Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Spray Coating
In today's test HydroSilex Recharge and Wolfgang Uber ceramic spray coatings go head to head in an array of tests. We look at gloss readings, ease of application, slickness, visual appeal, and wash durability testing. In the past HydroSilex Recharge wipes really disappointed, while Wolfgang has generally done a good job with their products. Will HydroSilex redeem themselves or will Wolfgang come out on top? Watch this ceramic coating showdown to find out who makes the better spray coating!
Both products looked good, but the Wolfgang was a bit prettier. The ease of application was also acceptable for Wolfgang and very easy for the HydroSilex. Durability was really the big differentiator, with HydroSilex failing rapidly and Wolfgang scoring well above average.
Wax Test Video Review
303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating
This is one of the most requested products in recent weeks. Just as I wrapped filming I had at least 3 people ask me about it. This product promises the best of all worlds, an easy application, high gloss, a year plus of durability, high contact angle beading, direct sunlight application, and usability on all surfaces.
Wax Test Video Review
Wolfgang SiO2 Paint Sealant vs. Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax
Today we find out if ceramic infusion makes them better. In my prior tests I really liked products such as Wolfgang Deep Gloss 3, will the new SiO2 sealant beat it? Will these waxes provide coating like protection? Our testing will include gloss meter readings, slickness, visual appeal, durability and ease of application.
Both products had impressive durability at 22 washes for the Wolfgang and 30 for the Meguiar's. Although the Wolfgang lost more gloss, it was overall prettier looking. Meguiars was a bit simpler to spread around on the panel, but Wolfgang was easier to clean up because it was hazy and more visible to the eye. On slickness the Wolfgang absolutely killed it while the Meguiar's was just ok.
Wax Test Video Review
The Last Coat - TLC2
The most requested product test I've had on my channel is undoubtedly The Last Coat 2.0 (TLC2) which has been a massive source of discussion across the internet. I decided to pick a bottle up and see what the fuss is all about. Ultimately I found that the product was very slick, very pretty, easy to use and very very durable. I just wish it was a bit glossier. As it sits today (October, 2020) it is the highest scoring SiO2 based spray I've tested!
Wax Test Video Review
Xtreme Solutions Poly-Seal vs. Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss
Today I'm testing a product from a company brand new to me, Xtreme Solutions, against a company whose products I've used for years, Adam's Polishes. We tested slickness, gloss, visual appeal, durability, and ease of application as these spray waxes face off head to head.
Overall both products performed closely and each had its strong suit. The Poly-Seal took less gloss off and looked richer. It was also the more durable one. On the other hand H2O Guard & Gloss was slicker and can be purchased cheap by the 5 gallon drum and almost as durable. I was very happy with how both of these products worked and while they're not the top products in their categories, the results are solid and they're easy to use products.
Wax Test Video Review
HydroSilex Recharge Ceramic Coating Wipes
HydroSilex was kind enough to send me some of their new Recharge Ceramic Coating Wipes and Rewind Degreaser Wipes. These are a new type of product that provide a coating and panel prep in a wipe form. The product is very similar to a baby wipe and allows for an easy application on top of a clean freshly washed vehicle. Unfortunately I didn't find that it lived up in several categories including durability, slickness, and visual appeal.
Wax Test Video Review
Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax vs Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax
Today we test these two popular SiO2 ceramic infused spray waxes. We will check durability, gloss, slickness, ease of application, and visual appeal. Both products claim they're highly hydrophobic and easy to use. Griot's claims extreme durability and intense gloss. Meguiar's offers wet application as you wash. Let's see which wins our showdown!
Overall these two products weren't the most amazing solutions we've tested, but the depth of the Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic was impressive. Griots was very easy to use and maintained good gloss, but just wasn't that durable. Overall I would probably pick the Meguiar's product for my own use.
Wax Test Video Review
Turtle Wax Seal N Shine Improved Formula vs. Adam's Spray Wax
Today we test Turtle Wax ICE Seal N Shine Improved Formula against Adam's Spray Wax. In this head to head battle we test ease of application, gloss, slickness, visual appeal, and durability to abrasion during washes. Is the new improved Seal N Shine better than the original? Will it beat Adam's Spray Wax in our testing? Find out which spray wax comes out on top!
While Adam's had impressive gloss, slickness, visual appeal, and an easy application, I felt the durability was a real let down for a spray wax. Durability was where the Turtle Wax really shined. It was able to withstand 21 washes. Unfortunately I didn't find that it was much different from the old formula. It was very isopropyl alcohol resistive, but it seemed to lose a little gloss. The durability was unchanged. Between these two I would absolutely recommend Seal N Shine, it is a great product in either the old or new formula!
Wax Test Video Review
Adam's Ceramic Spray Coating vs. Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating
Today we test out the latest from Adam's Polishes, their Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating against their incumbent Adam's Ceramic Spray Coating. In this head to head battle we're going to test ease of application, gloss, slickness, visual appeal and durability. Is graphene just a gimmick or is it the real deal? Find out which spray coating will come out on top!
Both coatings were very impressive, especially in durability and gloss when compared to other products we tested. They were very easy to apply after a paint correction that is required for proper coating application. The graphene made a huge difference though, with the most passes ever in the durability test and even the most gloss. Between the two I would definitely recommend the graphene version.
Wax Test Video Review
Adam's Slick & Slide vs. Turtle Wax Seal N Shine
Adam's Polishes Slick & Slide is the firms newest spray product released in 2020. Billed as a detail spray with hydrophobic spray wax properties we will put it head to head against Turtle Wax Seal N Shine. Turtle's Seal N Shine is a hybrid spray wax with polymer and carnauba wax that has been highly requested by you!
My thoughts are that both products are incredibly durable which is very impressive. However, the Adam's just didn't look that great in my opinion. I don't think I'd want to use it on top of a real glassy looking high end wax as a detail spray, but I may choose it for a base wax for a daily driver or vehicle where looks aren't as important. Overall I think the Turtle was the wax I would choose for most applications on daily drivers just due to the better looks and amazing durability, albeit not quite as durable as the Slick & Slide.
Wax Test Video Review
Soft99 Fusso Soft Coat Dark Color - New Formula
Soft99 recently released a new formula of Fusso Coat in Dark and Light versions. I tested the new formula to see how it stacks up against the old one. The old formula was a beast with a 70 wash durability. The new formula unfortunately failed to meet that mark. I actually think the ease of application had some drawbacks, although the visual quality was improved. Overall this is still an excellent product, I just wish the durability didn't take a hit. Not to mention the price nearly doubled. While it's out there I'd recommend snagging the old formula for now unless you absolutely want the little bump in looks.
Wax Test Video Review
Soft99 Fusso Soft Coat Dark Color
This is the original formula of Fusso from Soft99 and it made for an amazing car detailing experience today. This ptfe based sealant showed amazing durability which most fans of auto detailing look for. It has such amazing durability that it might just be better than a coating. Unfortunately the Soft99 wax knocked the gloss levels down by 5.9 points on average to 84.1GU. Unfortunately it doesn't make the paint pop as much as other waxes, but still looks very deep. Fusso from Soft99 seems like the most durable wax on the market, at least in my tests! I'm looking forward to testing their new formula which I've already ordered.
Wax Test Video Review
Adam's Polishes UV Ceramic Spray Coating
This was my first experience with a UV reactive product. I was very curious to see how it glowed and if that feature would aid in application. Adam's UV Ceramic Spray uses a fluorescent tracer that glows under 395nm UV lights. This spray coating claims to offer 8-12 months of protection and is said to be safe on most surfaces. In my testing I was able to see the glow with a UV flashlight. I was hoping the glow would be more pronounced, but it takes a closer look to see exactly what's happening. The durability was impressive, I got 17 washes out of it! I think the glow feature is a bit of a gimmick, but everything else about this coating is great.
Wax Test Video Review
Chemical Guys JetSeal
Another highly requested and popular product. I've never really used Checmical Guys stuff much, but this sealant was intreguing. I expected it to be similar to Wolfgang or Jescar, but unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations. I would suggest using another product as there is little to love about JetSeal, but watch the video and judge for yourself!
Wax Test Video Review
Adam's Polishes Ceramic Liquid Wax
This week I had time to test Ceramic Liquid Wax from Adam's Polishes Premium Ceramic Line. Watch me run an array of wax tests to determine the quality of this product. Ultimately I was impressed with the durability of this product, but a little dissapointed at slickness and visual quality.
Wax Test Video Review
Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax
This week I had time to test Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax in new design "Original" bottle by running an array of car wax tests to determine the quality of Turtle Ice Spray Wax. Ultimately I was dissapointed in this product due to the poor durability. However, it was pretty siney in our gloss testing!
Wax Test Video Review
Rust-Oleum Factor 4 vs. Car Guy's Hybrid Wax
#1 - Rust-Oleum Factor 4 Synthetic Wax 345537
In today's competition the Rust-Oleum won out. This is my first time using a wax from Rust-Oleum, a company I usually associate with spray paint. Overall I wasn't a huge fan of the installation, but the durability was incredible at 27 washes. Nothing has ever scored this high in my tests. The slickness, water beading and overall look of the wax were good.
#2 - Car Guy's Premium Hybrid Wax
I tested this product before under old test conditions in the second wax shootout of 2019. Unfortunately I used too much product while testing which viewers reported to me. I wanted to re-test it and decided this was an opportune time. While it didn't beat the Rust-Olemu product on overall score or durability, it was very easy to use when spraying just a little. It is also very good looking and slick.