K
Kim Adams
Guest
You may have applied a protective coat of wax or a sealant to your car before winter but, judging by the way many disappeared in our test, chances are it will need refreshing unless you used one of our top choices.
Ceramic was the buzzword in car care 12 months ago and more products have been launched over the past year with that magic ingredient. We conducted our longest ever test, totalling almost six months, to find which best lived up to the ceramic hype.
We had no shortage of contenders for the 15 places in the test, but there are still many more waxes and sealants doing a great job without the magic SiO2 ingredient, and we have focused on those here.
Unlike ceramics, there’s a wide range of formats, from hard waxes and pastes, through to liquids and spray-on sealants. We applied 24 to their maker’s instructions on a carefully prepared bonnet, which was clayed and had all existing coating removed.
The bonnet was left outside for six weeks through the worst of the winter weather, with water beading assessed regularly. The beading was at the heart of the test, but we also took in to account ease of use and price, factoring in that hard waxes go further than liquids.
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
Double speed-wax’s advantage in the beading tests was not as large as we have seen in the past, but factor in the microfibre cloth and sponge applicator you also get for the cracking price and you have a clear winner.
Some rivals edged it at various stages in the test, but it was always at the front and was the most vigorous water-shifter at the end. An impressive performance yet again that put substantially more expensive rivals in the shade.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
We’re never quite sure what the Angelwax guys will send in for our wax and sealant test, and this time it’s Formulation #1. It made our top five when we last tested it in 2016, and it takes our runner-up spot here.
The handmade, hand-poured wax has been around since 2009 and claims six months’ protection, so it was no surprise to see it still beading strongly after just six weeks. It goes on and buffs easier than our winner, but can’t offer the same great-value deal.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
We’ve tested Autoglym’s flagship wax several times since its launch. It has been a top-10 regular with good performances on the bonnet, but held back by a distinctly premium price. The conditions this year seemed to suit it better and it was closer to the front of the field on the bonnet than previously, helping it secure the final podium spot.
However, it’s still among the most expensive, because you get just 120g of wax in the stylish box, which is around a third empty space, but there is also a decent microfibre cloth and dual-compound sponge applicator.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
Last year saw an impressive debut in this test from Car Gods 54 with its Athena liquid wax securing fourth spot. This time around it was the turn of Cronus Holy Water Secret Shield to take that position.
It is also our pick of the liquid solutions after a podium filled with paste waxes. Cronus Holy Water is one of the easiest products to apply, with no more than a simple spray and wipe needed to get a shine.
Car Gods 54, the detailing brand from CarPlan owner Tetrosyl, is also fairly easy on the pocket, with only two or three trigger pulls needed per panel.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
Gyeon’s products continue to impress in our tests and it’s gone its own way with this wax. It comes in a lip balm-style stick design – a twist of the bottom forces more citrus-fragranced hard wax out the top.
It needs to go on with a sponge applicator, which isn’t included, left for 30 minutes, then buffed with a microfibre cloth, which is supplied. Q2 Wax was a little behind the best at some points in the test, but was one of the strongest performers at the end.
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
An impressive test debut for the Sunshine version of Blendz, which got the closest to our winner in the beading tests. But you only get 140g for your £40, which means it drops down the leader board.
It needs to go on in a thin film, then allowed to cure for five to 10 minutes before buffing to a shine. Autobrite claims four to five weeks’ protection for the single layer we applied, but it was still working at the end of our test, with little sign of flagging.
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
ORIGINAL Wax has been around for years and is a regular in our wax top 10, and it makes another appearance in 2021. It’s a proper blast from the past from its retro styling and the fact it comes in a tin, to its old-school formulation and application.
There are no citrus or confectionery fragrances here – this smells like it comes from somewhere distinctly industrial. It takes a bit of effort to apply because it cannot be left to dry, but for protection on a tight budget nothing else gets close.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
WE tested Stjärnagloss’ Fantastisk paste wax in 2020, when it made it into our top 10. Now this spray sealant has repeated the result. It’s a lot easier on the pocket and can be used on wet and dry panels, saving the effort of drying after rinsing.
The website claims three to five months of protection, but it had started to slow by the end of our test. It was still working, yet it took longer to clear its section after six weeks than at the start.
Buy now from Stjarnagloss
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
Like our winner, this is a carnauba and polymer-based hard wax, but it couldn’t quite match Bilt-Hamber’s performance on the bonnet.
Unlike some rivals, it got relatively stronger during the test. ValetPRO was a step behind the best at the beginning, but as the six-week mark loomed it was among the front runners. It is also one of the more cost-effective hard waxes, and is easy to use. This is the one to go for if you prefer to apply wax to the whole car before buffing.
Buy now from Amazon
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
The fledgling car care brand has done well in our tests recently, but the Supa Nova wax we tested last year failed to impress. It’s a different story with T2, which secured a spot in the top 10.
T2 has montan wax in its formula, which has a natural water repellency that’s better suited to our test. It started strongly but faded a little towards the end, and the result was not helped by being at the more expensive end of the price range.
Buy now from Amazon
Now you can pick out the best polish, why not take a look at the best glass cleaners on sale?
Continue reading...
Ceramic was the buzzword in car care 12 months ago and more products have been launched over the past year with that magic ingredient. We conducted our longest ever test, totalling almost six months, to find which best lived up to the ceramic hype.
- SEE MORE Best ceramic sealants 2021
We had no shortage of contenders for the 15 places in the test, but there are still many more waxes and sealants doing a great job without the magic SiO2 ingredient, and we have focused on those here.
How we tested them
Unlike ceramics, there’s a wide range of formats, from hard waxes and pastes, through to liquids and spray-on sealants. We applied 24 to their maker’s instructions on a carefully prepared bonnet, which was clayed and had all existing coating removed.
The bonnet was left outside for six weeks through the worst of the winter weather, with water beading assessed regularly. The beading was at the heart of the test, but we also took in to account ease of use and price, factoring in that hard waxes go further than liquids.
Verdict
- Bilt-Hamber double speed-wax
- Angelwax Formulation #1
- Autoglym Ultra High Definition Wax and Extra Gloss Protection
Reviews
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed-Wax
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: Around £15
- Size: 250ml
- Contact: www.bilthamber.com
- Rating: 5 stars
Double speed-wax’s advantage in the beading tests was not as large as we have seen in the past, but factor in the microfibre cloth and sponge applicator you also get for the cracking price and you have a clear winner.
Some rivals edged it at various stages in the test, but it was always at the front and was the most vigorous water-shifter at the end. An impressive performance yet again that put substantially more expensive rivals in the shade.
Buy now from Amazon
Angelwax Formulation #1
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £29.95
- Size: 250ml
- Contact: www.angelwax.co.uk
- Rating: 4.5 stars`
We’re never quite sure what the Angelwax guys will send in for our wax and sealant test, and this time it’s Formulation #1. It made our top five when we last tested it in 2016, and it takes our runner-up spot here.
The handmade, hand-poured wax has been around since 2009 and claims six months’ protection, so it was no surprise to see it still beading strongly after just six weeks. It goes on and buffs easier than our winner, but can’t offer the same great-value deal.
Buy now from Amazon
Autoglym Ultra High Definition Wax
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £59.99
- Size: 120g
- Contact: www.autoglym.com
- Rating: 4.5 stars
We’ve tested Autoglym’s flagship wax several times since its launch. It has been a top-10 regular with good performances on the bonnet, but held back by a distinctly premium price. The conditions this year seemed to suit it better and it was closer to the front of the field on the bonnet than previously, helping it secure the final podium spot.
However, it’s still among the most expensive, because you get just 120g of wax in the stylish box, which is around a third empty space, but there is also a decent microfibre cloth and dual-compound sponge applicator.
Buy now from Amazon
Car Gods 54 Cronus Holy Water
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £19.95
- Size: 500ml
- Contact: www.cargods54.com
- Rating: 4 stars
Last year saw an impressive debut in this test from Car Gods 54 with its Athena liquid wax securing fourth spot. This time around it was the turn of Cronus Holy Water Secret Shield to take that position.
It is also our pick of the liquid solutions after a podium filled with paste waxes. Cronus Holy Water is one of the easiest products to apply, with no more than a simple spray and wipe needed to get a shine.
Car Gods 54, the detailing brand from CarPlan owner Tetrosyl, is also fairly easy on the pocket, with only two or three trigger pulls needed per panel.
Buy now from Amazon
Gyeon Q2 Wax
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £32
- Size: 175ml
- Contact: www.gyeonquartz.com
- Rating: 4 stars
Gyeon’s products continue to impress in our tests and it’s gone its own way with this wax. It comes in a lip balm-style stick design – a twist of the bottom forces more citrus-fragranced hard wax out the top.
It needs to go on with a sponge applicator, which isn’t included, left for 30 minutes, then buffed with a microfibre cloth, which is supplied. Q2 Wax was a little behind the best at some points in the test, but was one of the strongest performers at the end.
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £40
- Size: 140g
- Contact: www.autobritedirect.co.uk
- Rating: 4 stars
An impressive test debut for the Sunshine version of Blendz, which got the closest to our winner in the beading tests. But you only get 140g for your £40, which means it drops down the leader board.
It needs to go on in a thin film, then allowed to cure for five to 10 minutes before buffing to a shine. Autobrite claims four to five weeks’ protection for the single layer we applied, but it was still working at the end of our test, with little sign of flagging.
Simoniz Original Wax
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £6.85
- Size: 150g
- Contact: www.holtsauto.com
- Rating: 4 stars
ORIGINAL Wax has been around for years and is a regular in our wax top 10, and it makes another appearance in 2021. It’s a proper blast from the past from its retro styling and the fact it comes in a tin, to its old-school formulation and application.
There are no citrus or confectionery fragrances here – this smells like it comes from somewhere distinctly industrial. It takes a bit of effort to apply because it cannot be left to dry, but for protection on a tight budget nothing else gets close.
Buy now from Amazon
Stjärnagloss Pärla
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £14
- Size: 500ml
- Contact: www.stjarnagloss.com
- Rating: 3.5 stars
WE tested Stjärnagloss’ Fantastisk paste wax in 2020, when it made it into our top 10. Now this spray sealant has repeated the result. It’s a lot easier on the pocket and can be used on wet and dry panels, saving the effort of drying after rinsing.
The website claims three to five months of protection, but it had started to slow by the end of our test. It was still working, yet it took longer to clear its section after six weeks than at the start.
Buy now from Stjarnagloss
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £30
- Size: 250ml
- Contact: www.valetpro.global
- Rating: 3.5 stars
Like our winner, this is a carnauba and polymer-based hard wax, but it couldn’t quite match Bilt-Hamber’s performance on the bonnet.
Unlike some rivals, it got relatively stronger during the test. ValetPRO was a step behind the best at the beginning, but as the six-week mark loomed it was among the front runners. It is also one of the more cost-effective hard waxes, and is easy to use. This is the one to go for if you prefer to apply wax to the whole car before buffing.
Buy now from Amazon
Alchemy T2
car wax pack shot
Autoglym High Definition Wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Angelwax Formulation Pack Shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
car wax pack shot
Car Gods Cronus 54 Holy Water pack shot
ValetPRO Beading Marvellous pack shot
Simoniz Original Wax pack shot
Cleaning product test on car bonnet
car wax pack shot
Alchemy T2 pack shot
Bilt-Hamber Double Speed Wax pack shot
Gyeon Q2 wax pack shot
Autobrite Direct Blendz Sunshine pack shot
Autoglym pack shot
car wax pack shot
Stjärnagloss Pärla pack shot
- Price: £34.95
- Size: 150ml
- Contact: www.alchemycarcare.co.uk
- Rating: 3.5 stars
The fledgling car care brand has done well in our tests recently, but the Supa Nova wax we tested last year failed to impress. It’s a different story with T2, which secured a spot in the top 10.
T2 has montan wax in its formula, which has a natural water repellency that’s better suited to our test. It started strongly but faded a little towards the end, and the result was not helped by being at the more expensive end of the price range.
Buy now from Amazon
Also tested
- Armor All Shield Wax
- Auto Finesse Fusion
- CarPlan No1 Super Gloss
- Dodo Juice Future Armour
- Farécla G3 SuperGloss Paste Wax
- Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus
- Mothers Synthetic Paste Wax
- Polished Pigs Hybrid Wax
- Poorboy’s World EX
- Pure Definition Natural Clarity
- Pure Definition Ultimate Finish Sealant
- Simoniz Liquid Diamond Polish & Wax
- Stoner Visible Shine
- Turtle Wax Sealant Hydrophobic Wax
Now you can pick out the best polish, why not take a look at the best glass cleaners on sale?
Continue reading...