If you’re in a rush an don’t want to read everything, I recommend the Turtle Wax T-477R ICE as the best spray wax. It’s a no fluff, no nonsense company that makes a quality product at an excellent price.
I remember summer days washing my car in the driveway under the sun. I’d always get a bucket of warm water, some dish soap, and an old rag to wash the dirt away. Things have changed since then. Now we have microfiber towels and spray on wax. Manufacturers continue to improve products so we can clean our cars better.
What are the Advantages of Spray Wax?
Have you ever tried to wax a car with a hard paste? It takes forever. I’ve done it once and it took me a long time. I had to wash the car to make sure I got rid of all the dirt. Then I had to rub the wax in which was the most difficult part of the whole process. It was difficult to apply evenly and I had to use a lot of pressure.
When I finished applying the wax I had to make another pass and buff it all out. I had to pass the car two entire times. Each pass took a lot of elbow grease and effort to make sure it was buffed out. I didn’t look forward to doing it again.
Thankfully now we have spray on waxes. They’re great to use because you can shorten the steps. The biggest advantage is that it’ll save you a lot of time and effort.
Spray on wax is a combination of carnauba and nano-polymer technology. This is new technology that we didn’t have a few years ago. The polymers create a hydrophobic coating which bonds to surfaces and repels water. You’ll see water bead up and roll off your car’s surface.
What else Should I Know about Spray Wax?
The first thing you need to know is that it’s not a super product. If your car is covered in dirt and grime you’ll be rubbing all that dirt into your paint job. Yes, the label says you can apply spray wax if the car is dirty. But it’s best to give it a good wash and get as much of the dirt off as possible.
Just be careful and don’t rub dirt and sand into your clear coat. Think of spray wax as another layer to protect your clear coat.
Another point to know is some of these spray waxes are best applied to a cool car. I wouldn’t try to apply this to the warm hood of a car. It’s best to let it cool and even apply it in the shade if possible. It may not apply if the hood is warm.
CarGuys Hybrid Wax Sealant
CarGuys make their product in the United States. Congratulations boys for making your products at home! I applaud you.
You may have seen social advertising for this product. It’s been heavily promoted. They’ve built a solid company with a quality product and they support their customers.
You’ll need about 15 minutes to apply this wax. You’ll need a microfiber towel. It’s very quick and easy compared to traditional waxes. Expect it to last you a few months depending on how often you wash your car and the environment you store it. You can apply it to any color paint and any type of external surface. That includes wheels and plastic or fiberglass parts.
I do have a few recommendations. This is not a solvent nor a cleaner. You need to wash your car and remove any dirt or grime before you use this. I also suggest not applying it if you’ve applied any type of other product. Yes, it’s possible you can use this after some waxes, but I don’t suggest it. It’s best to apply after a fresh wash.
Also make sure your car hasn’t been running and the engine is completely cool. You’ll get a better application.
Pros
- If you store your car in a garage out of the elements you can likely get 6 months of use out of 1 coat. The special formula of carnauba wax and nano-polymer technology creates the hydrophobic coating.
- CarGuys offers a generous guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.
Cons
- You can get water spots if you don’t apply it correctly or if the car is warm.
- It has a higher price point than others in the same category.
SHINE ARMOR Fortify Quick Coat
Shine Armor advertises their Quick Coat as a 3 in 1 product all in one step. This includes washing, shing, and protection. I can understand it being able to wash away some dirt and grime. If you recently took your 4×4 offroading, I suggest giving it a good wash.
This is a quick ceramic coating which is different from a nano-polymer sealant. It’s not a full ceramic coating but a step down in the protection level. The advantages are that it’s quicker to apply and doesn’t need as much time to cure as a full ceramic coating.
Use this as an extra layer of protection on top of your clear coat. If your car gets any scratches or scuffs it will happen on this layer and not your clear coat.
Keep in mind it’s not impervious to scratching. Tree sap and other products from trees can affect it.
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to apply if you haven’t washed your car first. You can apply it in one step as long as your car isn’t very dirty. I recommend washing the car but you’re certainly able to apply it without washing.
- The ceramic coat gives another layer of protection above your clear coat.
Cons
- It’s one of the higher priced products in this category.
- Be careful about adding scratches to your car if it’s very dirty.
Torque Detail Mirror Shine
This is a polymer formula that will bond to your clear coat to seal and protect. I categorize it as a hybrid wax and sealant product. Again, the manufacturer says you don’t need to wash the car first. I always say to wash the car first then apply this product just to be safe. You don’t want to rub in any sand or dirt. There’s no undoing scratches.
The formula Torque Detail uses will protect up to 6 months. It will give a hydrophobic coat to repel water and anything else it comes into contact with.
Pros
- It’s Made in America!
- It gives your paint a very bright shine and repels water easily.
- It has a 60 day guarantee.
- You can apply to your car in about 15 minutes.
Cons
- Some people have complaints about the spray nozzle not working right.
- It’s towards the higher end of the price range.
- It’s an 8oz bottle. Others come with more at a similar price.
Meguiar’s G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax
Meguiar’s has been in the game since 1901. The company keeps investing in research to develop new car care products.
This is a spray on and wipe off liquid wax. It’s a synthetic wax sealant. You spray it on and take a microfiber towel to make sure it’s completely applied to the area. It’s easy to spread so you won’t need more than a few sprays for a couple square feet.
It won’t stain or mark plastic. You can apply it over fiberglass or plastic without any issues. It also doesn’t leave any white residue anywhere. Just spray and wipe.
Most people enjoy seeing how much it makes their car shine after applying.
Don’t apply it to tires. You’ll want a tire specific product for that type of application.
Also make sure your car is completely dry before applying.
Pros
- Quick and easy application. Most people need 20 minutes to apply. If you are meticulous expect 45 minutes.
- It gives an excellent shine and repels water.
- This is one of the better values compared to other price points.
Cons
- Some people found that other products have a brighter shine and last longer.
Turtle Wax T-477R ICE Spray Wax
This is going to be your budget option if you don’t want to spend a lot. It’s also a synthetic polymer that will bond to your clear coat to make a strong coating. This coating is what repels water and dirt over time.
Wash and dry the car before applying. It won’t stick if the car is wet. Apply it to plastic and you won’t see any residue at all. Apply this one in the sun or shade, it doesn’t matter. You’ll want a good quality microfiber towel for the application.
You’ll get a deep shine and anti-static properties to keep dust and dirt away from your car. Small particles build up over time but this spray wax will act as a repellent.
Pros
- This is your best value option to get a solid spray on wax.
- It has anti-static properties to keep dust and fine materials away from your car.
- UV protection keeps your car’s color from fading from the strong sun.
Cons
- It won’t replace a car wash. Wash your car first and then apply.
- A small amount of people had problems with the sprayer.
Summary
I recommend the Turtle Wax T-477R ICE Spray Wax as the best spray wax. It’s a no fluff, no nonsense company that makes a quality product at an excellent price. If you’re looking for a spray wax you’re looking for a product that’s easier and quicker to apply than regular wax. It also shouldn’t cost as much as regular wax. You can apply it to a warm car too. Just make sure it’s dry.
If you have a little more to spend and want a step up, go for the CarGuys Hybrid Wax Sealant. Don’t apply it to a warm car. If you follow the directions it’ll give an excellent hydrophobic coating and will keep your car shiny for a long time.