It was in 1909 that Henry Ford famously declared that his customers could have their cars in any color they wanted – so long as it was black. More than 100 years later, the black car remains as popular as it ever was. Some people buy a black car because they assume it can be less maintenance to keep it looking good – but that’s not the reality. Anyone who has had a black car knows they are not easy to maintain – though they are not any harder than any other color either as long as you use the right tools and techniques to keep them looking great. One of the best tools you can add to your armory is car wax that is specially formulated for black paint.
The Best Wax for Black Cars
If you’ve ever waxed your car only to see you’ve accidently got some of the formula onto any plastic or rubber details, you’ll know that some products can turn those materials white.
It’s a real pain, because it adds time to the car clean routine. Not only do you need to clean it off, the next time you have to be extra careful to not do it again – or, like some of us, you forget and have to clean it all off again!
You don’t need to worry about that with this product, whose advanced formula is safe to use on all surfaces. This means, according to the CarGuys, you can wax your car in 15 minutes flat. Not only that but you get a brilliant, streak free shine every time.
That’s an impressive list of claims alright, and it doesn’t end there. The CarGuys are so sure you’ll love this product they offer a full refund if you are not satisfied. So what’s to lose?
- Safe on Every Surface
- Brilliant Shine
- Advanced Formula
- Brand CarGuys
- Model FBA_HW-18oz-Kit
- Weight 1.45 Pounds
If you are looking to pick up everything you need to effectively care for your car’s appearance then this could be the product for you – it’s literally everything you need, conveniently packaged in one handy box. It even includes applicators!
Inside you will find pre-cleaners, waxes and conditioners all specially designed and tinted for use with darker paints. They can go a long way to restoring luster on older paint too – especially when it comes to covering up the swirl marks and other surface blemishes that can be the downfall of black paint.
Built in UV protection is very useful, providing long-term protection for your paint from damage from the sun’s rays. Not only do you get all that, but as a nice bonus you get the added assurance that comes with a recognized – and trusted – brand like Turtle Wax.
- Compete Kit
- Strong UV Protection
- Carnauba Based Wax
- Brand Turtle Wax
- Model T-3KT
- Weight 3 lbs
You love your car, but you don’t want to be waxing it every weekend, right? We’ve all got more fun things to do than that! If that sounds like you then this product by Meguiar’s could be right for you. First of all, it is specially formulated for use on dark (especially black) paint. That means that just one coat will bring an unbelievable shine and luster to your car.
What’s even more impressive however is that it is specially formulated to provide protection (and keep you car looking shiny) for months. Just think of all that time you can get back – and what you could do with it.
At only 7 ounces this is one of the smaller packs on this list. However, during application you’ll soon see that a little goes a long way, and with it’s long lasting formula it’ll be a while before you need to apply a fresh coat.
- Long Lasting Protection
- Easy to Apply
- Free Applicator Pad
- Brand Meguiar’s
- Model G6207
- Weight 7 oz
This is the cheapest item on the list, however don’t make the mistake of assuming this is the bargain bin option! The first thing to notice is the brand whose logo adorns this bottle, none other than Turtle Wax. As one of the most respected suppliers of car care products, that is your first hint that this product is going to bring you a lot of bang for your buck.
The second thing to note with this product is that it brings a little more to the table than your usual, common car wax. This product does contain wax, and it will perform the same function as a typical product of that kind – and do it well, with streak free, long lasting shine.
But it is also an advanced formula that includes various additional dyes and pigments. They work together to cover surface swirls and help restore neglected black paint to a lustrous shine. So like we said, it may be cheap, but it is certainly not a bargain option!
- Blend of Wax, Dye & Polish
- Long Lasting Protection
- Low Cost
- Brand Turtle Wax
- Model T-374KTR
- Weight 1.12 Pounds
From the cheapest item on the list to the most expensive, this kit clocks in at a shade under $100. So what do you get for that investment? Well, quite a lot it turns out. The first thing to note here is that this kit is made by the highly reputable Chemical Guys. That means you know you are investing your cash into a top quality, premium product.
This kit is essentially everything you need in one box. Unlike other kits on this list however, whilst this comes with everything you need to wax your black car, it also comes with everything you need to clean your car too. This is really important, as your car must be crystal clean before you apply any wax products. It is the pieces of hard dirt or grit left behind that can cause ugly swirls and scratches to appear in the paintwork.
So this kit comes complete with superb cleaning soaps, top quality microfiber towels and applicators and waxes specially designed to make darker cars look amazing. No, it’s not cheap – but you are getting an awful lot of top quality product for your money.
- Premium Kit
- Built in UV Protection and Water Repellent
- Easy Application
- 6 Item Kit
- Brand Chemical Guys
- Model HOL_203
- Weight 5.95 Pounds
Most waxes will leave your car looking smooth and shiny – that it is, after all, the entire point of these products!
Others however go that extra mile, and this product from the highly reputable Chemical Guys stable of car care products is one of those high achievers! This leaves the type of finish to your vehicle that is of such a deep, lustrous shine it leaves your car literally looking it’s wet.
So if you want a typical waxed finish with a normal shine, this product will probably be a bit too much. If however you want a truly head turning, attention grabbing super deep shine finish then go for this product – you won’t be disappointed.
- Formulated for Deep, Wet Look Shine
- Easy Application
- Anti-Static Properties
- Brand Chemical Guys
- Model GAP-619-16
- Weight 1 lb
Another premium product from Chemical Guys which, as expected, comes with a premium price tag – this is the second most expensive entry in this guide.
You are again getting a full kit of items including a specially formulated wax, applicators and microfiber towels. Unlike other kits on this list however this is not an all in one kit – there is nothing in here to clean your car before application.
Instead you are investing in a kit that will give a premium finish to your black car. It is bringing both a deep and lustrous shine to your paintwork, and also long lasting protection. The product has built in UV protectors to fight fading, and also includes a powerful water repellant agent to prevent rain drying on the bodywork, leaving behind ugly watermarks. This is a truly premium product that is the closest you can get to pro body shop results at home.
- Premium Kit
- Built in UV Protection and Water Repellent
- Easy Application
- 6 Item Kit
- Brand Chemical Guys
- Model HOL_201
- Weight 2.45 Pounds
Best Wax for Black Cars Buying Guide
As you can see then, there are quite a few products on the market aimed at making black and dark cars look as great as possible.
We are going to take a little time to look at why you should go to the effort to really care for your paintwork, and a few tips to help you get the most of whichever product you decide to purchase.
You May Also Like Our Guide on Ceramic Coating For Cars
Importance of Waxing a Black Car
So why go to the bother of really caring for your black paintwork with a specialty wax? Well, there are quite a few reasons actually such as:
- Black Cars Look Great! – Probably the number one reason to care for your car is because you want it to look good, right? Black has a wide ranging and loyal fan base as one of the most popular car colors for a good reason – if well cared for, black cars look amazing!
- Long Term Protection – They are however also notoriously high maintenance, so if you want them to look good for a long time you need to put in the effort. Choose a product with protective properties however and you will help to cut down on that maintenance time. If you live in a very sunny area, check out our guide for products with UV protection built in. Your car looks dusty all the time? Choose a wax that includes anti-static properties.
- Investment Protection – Cars are an investment, or at least they are if you plan on selling it in the future, or trading it in toward a new model – which let’s face it is most of us! Whilst a well maintained black car looks great, this is one paint color that can really show up a lack of care perhaps more than any other. So if you want to maintain the value of your black car as much as possible, an effective cleaning and waxing program will go a long way to keeping that sell on value as high as possible.
Important Points When Waxing a Black Car
So if you’ve selected your wax, you may also be wondering how to get the most of out it, right? Well, there are a few tips to bear in mind to ensure that you get a top quality finish, such as:
Clean it! – You must ensure you clean your car properly before applying wax! Black paint really shows up swirls more than any other paint finish. You must ensure that the surface is free of all grit, sand particles and hard dried dirt before you apply wax – or your risk scratches.
Equip yourself – Many of the products on this list are kits that provide all – or most – of the equipment you need to wax your car. However, you can never have enough equipment, right? A microfiber towel is a must – it will help to prevent surface swirls. Please, please, please stop drying your black cars with regular towels. Believe it or not, they are simply too harsh for the paint surface.
Read the instructions – This may sound silly, but just because you have applied one type of wax, don’t assume a different one goes on exactly the same. There can be quite a difference in the formula – and application advice – between products in this category. So to make sure you’re getting the most out of them, just take a minute or two check the instructions.
Sources:
- Henry Ford – Wikiquotes
- Clean Your Car Properly – Popular Mechanics
- How do I know when my car needs a wax job? – HowStuffWorks