Best Waxes & Sealants? (updated)

[akimel]

I have updated my listed. New products have been added. Some products have been put into different price brackets, though I did not confirm the present selling price of each and every product.

Based on the testimonies I have read over the past year and my limited personal experience, here are some suggestions for the "best" carnauba waxes and synthetic sealants under $300 (retail). With one exception, all can be purchased from retailers in North America (over-the-counter or online).


Carnauba Waxes:

$10-$15: Collinite 845, Optimum Car Wax, Meguiar's M26 Yellow Tech Wax, Meguiar's Gold Class Plus

$15-$20: Natty's Blue, Natty's Red, Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax, Collinite 476, Harly Wax, S100, Surf City Barrier Reef Wax

$20-$30: Collinite 915, DP Max Wax

$30-$40: Lusso Oro, P21S, Victoria Chaos, Victoria Mayhem, Trade Secret, AutoGlym High Definition

$40-$50: Pinnacle Signature, P21S 100%, Victoria Concours Red

$50-$60: Blackfire Midnight Sun, Chemical Guys 50/50, Chemical Guys Pete's '53, Wet Obsession

$60-$75: Dodo Juices

$75-$100: Pinnacle Souveran, Rubbish Boy's Original Edition

$100-$125: Dodo Juice Supernatural, Zymol Glasur

$125-$150: Raceglaze 55

$150-$200: Wolfgang Fuzion, Zymol Concours, Swissvax Saphir

$200-$300: Swissvax Concorso

$300+: You must have very deep pockets!


Synthetic Sealants:

$10-$15: Duragloss 105, Duragloss 111, Mother's FX SynWax, Jeff Werkstatt's Acrylic Jet Trigger, Zaino Z-2 Pro

$15-$20: Meguiar's NXT, Mother's Reflections, Finish Kare Hi Temp Synthetic Paste Wax (1000p), 1Z Glanz Wax, Jeff Werkstatt's Acrylic Jet, Poorboy's EX-P, Zaino Z-5 Pro, Ultima Paint Guard Plus (4 oz.)

$20-$30: Blackfire Wet Diamond, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, Optimum Opti-Seal (8 oz.), Meguiar's M21 Synthetic Sealant, Menzerna Power Lock, Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection

$30-$40: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant, Menzerna FMJ, Chemical Guys Jet Seal, Bilt Hamber Auto Balm

$40+: Why is it we are willing to pay so much more for a carnauba wax than a synthetic sealant?


Cleaner Waxes:

$5-$10: Meguiar's ColorX, Meguiar's Cleaner Wax, Mother's Carnauba Cleaner Wax

$10-$15: DuraGloss 501, AutoGlym Super Resin Polish

$15-$20: Optimum Poli-Seal, Jeff's Werkstatt Prime

$20-$30: Meguiar's M20 Polymer Sealant, Klasse All-in-One, Zaino Z-AIO, Jeff's Werkstatt Prime (Acrylic, Carnauba, Strong), M66 Quick Detailer Polish (gallon)

$30-$40: Meguiar's D151 Paint Reconditioning Creme (gallon)


Spray Waxes:

$5-$10: Duragloss 951 Aqua Wax, Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, Mother's Reflections Spray Wax, Mother's FX Spray Wax

$10-15: Optimum Car Wax

$15-$20: Dodo Juice Red Mist, Zaino Z-8, Blackfire Deep Gloss Spray, Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus

$20-$25: Pinnacle Souveran Spray Wax


The above products can often be found on sale at various websites, sometimes at significant reductions. The comparative pricing is inaccurate in some cases, because specific products come in different sizes: for example, Ultima Paint Guard is listed in the $15-$20 bracket and Opti-Seal is listed in the $20-$30 bracket, but the former is sold in a 4 oz. bottle and the later in an 8 oz. bottle--with both a little product goes a long way. D151 is listed in the $30-$40 bracket, but it is only sold by the gallon (though Auto Detailing Solutions does sell a 32 oz. sampler for $14.95). I have not attempted to "equalize" products by pricing them by the ounce. Also remember that "more expensive" does not always mean "better." Shipping costs must also be taken into consideration.

Let me know if you see any errors or if I have missed products that should be included.

[Dubbin1]

You should add the Fuzion mini in the $40-$50 option.

[rwright]

Even though DP Poli-coat is not easy to work with by hand, I think it should be added to the list. That stuff appears to be pretty durable at this point. Overall though, I would still pick Duragloss 501/105/111 from what's listed.

[Dubbin1]

Even though DP Poli-coat is not easy to work with by hand, I think it should be added to the list. That stuff appears to be pretty durable at this point. Overall though, I would still pick Duragloss 501/105/111 from what's listed.

I think temp and humidity plays a huge factor in how well DP Poli-Coat can be worked by hand. The first time I used it, it was very easy to apply and remove. The second time it was so hard to work with that I gave up and grabbed the WGDGPS. It was VERY hot and humid that day.

It does deserve to be added to the list though.

[Adam]

No such thing as a good cleaner wax imo. It is an oxymoron.

[dougaross]

Another sealant you want to consider is 3M Performance Finish either in the $15-$20 or $10-$15(with coupon) WOWO and great durability

[akimel]

Another sealant you want to consider is 3M Performance Finish either in the $15-$20 or $10-$15(with coupon) WOWO and great durability

Good suggestion. One can find lots of positive reviews of this product. I have added it to my list. Thanks.

[Mindflux]

Since this list contains a lot of non-AG sold items I'd like to throw Prima Hydro in the $10-$15 category on spray waxes.

Also Prima Banana Gloss in the sub $20 wax category. Though it's got polymers in it too. Also if listing Z-5 Pro, please list Z-2 Pro. I prefer it over Z-5 myself, especially on lighter colored cars.

[akimel]

Thanks for the Prima recommendations.

If you re-check, you will see Z-2 Pro listed.

[Old Tiger]

Excellent work! I would like to nominate Four Star UPP and Spray Wax to be added.

[Mindflux]

Excellent work! I would like to nominate Four Star UPP and Spray Wax to be added.
UPP is already in the 20-30 dollar category for sealants.

[akimel]

Excellent work! I would like to nominate Four Star UPP and Spray Wax to be added.

Errr ... both are already on the list. :xyxthumbs:

[Bunky]

No such thing as a good cleaner wax imo. It is an oxymoron.

I like cleaner waxes for specific purposes. What a timely topic.

I use on plastic chrome and on water spots that a detailer do not remove. It cleans and protects in one step. Mothers used to include them in clay kits so I have a few and work perfectly.

[Rob T]

Thanks for the updated list, nice work.

I kind of question Z2 being in the $10-$15 range, since you really need Z1 or the more expensive ZFX to go with it.

[akimel]

I kind of question Z2 being in the $10-$15 range, since you really need Z1 or the more expensive ZFX to go with it.

You're right. I didn't know how to negotiate all of that, so I just went with the retail price of the product itself.