How Much Does It Cost To Wax a Car? Detailed Answer

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While some car owners swear by the benefits of regular waxing, others may not see it as a necessary expense. The truth is that waxing your car can offer more than just aesthetic appeal. It can protect your car’s paint from UV rays, dirt, and other environmental factors that can cause damage and fade to the paint. But how much does it cost to wax a car? We’ll talk about that in this article. 

The cost of waxing your car depends on various factors, such as the type of wax you use, the size of your vehicle, and whether you DIY or pay a professional detailer. I’ll try to give you an approximate answer on how much it costs on average, but I’ll cover both DIY costs and paying detailers for a waxing job.

So, without further ado, let’s see how much it costs to wax a car.

Factors That Affect The Price Of Waxing Your Car

There are three main factors that will affect the price of waxing your car. These are:

• The wax you use (its price)
• The size of your vehicle
• Whether you do it yourself or you’ll pay a professional. 

The Wax You Use

There are tens of different car waxes on the market, and unfortunately, many of them aren’t good enough or are too expensive. That’s why I suggest you check out my recommendation for the best car waxes. The 1st one is my favorite, which is the longest-lasting car wax on the market. 

We’ll take some average car wax prices, and let’s say that it’s around $20. You may find good waxes cheaper or even more expensive for some high-end premium waxes, but a good price tag is ca. $20. At that price, you can expect to get quality wax that will last long on your car’s paint.

The Size Of Your Car

The size of your car can be a significant factor when determining how much waxing the car will cost. I mean, it’s obvious, the cost of waxing can’t be the same for Toyota Yaris, VW Passat, or Hummer H3.

Not only it takes much more product to wax larger cars, but it also takes much more time to apply wax, buff it out, prepare everything, etc. 

DIY or Paying a Detailer

This is the biggest factor that will affect the price of waxing your car. If you decide to DIY and do everything by yourself, I think that you can reduce the cost of waxing a car by at least 70%, or even more if we take some other things into count, which I’ll talk about just in a minute.

Paying a detailer is the simplest way to wax your vehicle, and you know that someone experienced will do a decent wax job. However, detailers need to earn their rate as well, and as you can expect, it will cost you some money. You got to pay for all the labor and elbow grease. 

Cost of Waxing Car By Yourself

If you want to reduce car wax costs, waxing your car by yourself is an excellent way to do it. The cost of waxing your car by yourself is usually only up to $20-30. All you’ll need is an automotive wax, a foam applicator pad, and a few microfiber towels.

You can purchase all of those for less than $30, making it a much cheaper option than getting your car waxed at a detailing shop. 

It’s also more convenient to wax a car by yourself. You can do it in the comfort of your own driveway, and you won’t have to wait in line at a car wash service. Plus, you’ll be able to use car wax more than once, which will reduce the price per application a lot. The upfront cost may be somewhere near $30, but later on, the cost per application will be closer to $10. 

Waxing your car by yourself can also be a satisfying and rewarding experience. You’ll have control over the process, and you’ll be able to see the results of your hard work right away. Plus, it’s an excellent way to take care of your car and keep it looking new for longer.

With the right products and a little bit of time, you can give your car the same shine and protection as a detailing shop would, all while saving money.

If you don’t know how to wax a car, I recently wrote two guides for waxing cars, so make sure to check them out.

• How to wax a car by hand
• How to wax a car with a buffer

I always like to do it myself, and then I can invest more money into some premium high-end wax that will last for months. I never know what product the detailer will use, and if they use some premium car waxes, the price of wax application will increase even more. 

Cost of Waxing Car at Detailing Shop

If you’re not waxing your car by yourself, taking your car to a car wash and detailing shop is the next best option. The cost of waxing your car at a detailing shop is higher than doing it yourself.

Car wax service costs anywhere between $50 to $150, depending on the size of the car, the type of wax a detailer will use, and the luxury of the detailing service. While it may be more expensive than DIYing, it’s still a reasonable price for the time and effort a detailer puts into the process. 

One of the biggest drawbacks of getting your car waxed at a detailing shop is that you’re paying for only one application. Whenever you decide to do it again, you’ll have to pay the same price tag again, as opposed to doing it by yourself.

When you wax your car yourself, you’ll have enough wax leftovers to wax your car 3-4 times more. So, taking your car to a detailing shop every single time will add up to the cost over time. 

However, paying an expert detailer to wax your car has its benefits. A detailer can use specialized products and equipment that can provide better results than doing it yourself. They can also inspect your car for any imperfections and fix them before applying the wax.

Also, they can provide additional services such as compounding, polishing, or claying if needed – and they will all improve the appearance of your vehicle.

If you want the best possible results and don’t mind paying a little extra, taking your car to a detailing shop is a great option. 

Bottom Line

To answer the how much does it cost to wax a car question again, the average cost of waxing a car by yourself will cost you up to $30, while getting your car waxed at a detailing shop can cost anywhere between $50 to $150. 

If you’re someone who enjoys DIYing and cleaning their car by themselves, waxing your car at home is an excellent option in which you’ll save money on paint protection. On the other hand, if you’re someone who doesn’t like detailing their cars and wants the best possible results, taking your car to a detailing shop is the way to go. 

Regardless of whether you choose to wax your car at home or at a detailing shop, the important thing is that you take the time to care for your car’s paint. The waxed car will look better, the color will have that deep shine and gloss, and it will stay protected from harmful UV rays and other elements, which is the main purpose of car wax.