Liquid Wax vs. Spray Wax vs. Paste Wax: Which Is The Best?

---

One of the oldest ways to protect the car’s paint is to wax it. However, nowadays, there are many wax types available, and it can be tough to decide which one to choose. In this article, I’ll compare three main forms of waxes, which are liquid, spray, and paste waxes. 

Many car owners get confused about the differences between these three types of waxes, and they don’t know which one to choose. Each wax type or form has its own advantages and disadvantages for the car’s paint, and I think that it’s essential to understand them before making a decision. So, I hope that, by the end of the article, you’ll be able to pick a wax type that best suits your specific needs. 

Properties	Spray Wax	Liquid Wax	Paste Wax
Ease of application	10/10	8/10	6/10
Longevity	3/10	8/10	9/10
Shine	6/10	8/10	9/10
Price	9/10	8/10	7/10
Cost per application	5/10	8/10	8/10
Total Score	33/50	40/50	39/50

Different Forms of Car Waxes

Liquid wax. This type of wax is one of the most popular on the market. It’s a liquid substance that’s easy to apply and easy to buff out. It’s extremely convenient, and it’s not a miracle that these waxes are the most popular out there. You can quickly apply it by using DA polishers, microfiber cloths, or applicator pads. 

Spray wax. Spray wax is a quick and easy way to make your car’s paint shiny. It’s also a liquid wax, but it’s much more fluid and it’s diluted, so it’s easy to spray it over the vehicle. Spray waxes are often used as a quick touch-up to cars, and most self-service car washes offer spray wax as an option. 

Paste wax. Paste wax is a thick substance that comes in a jar or can. It’s the oldest form of car wax, and even though it’s not as popular as it was, some people still prefer it because of some incredible benefits that I’ll talk about in a minute. 

Quick Overview of Wax Types

Here’s a quick overview of different kinds of waxes, so you get more informed about each. 

Liquid Wax

Ease of Application. Liquid waxes are pretty easy to apply. You can apply them in many different ways: by using a DA buffer, with a microfiber cloth, or with an applicator pad. Because of their liquid but still thick form, spreading them across the car’s surface to get a nice, even coat is pretty simple. 

Longevity. When it comes to longevity, liquid waxes are usually somewhere in the middle between paste and spray waxes. Of course, it will depend on the product’s quality and if it’s made of natural ingredients or with synthetic polymers, but generally, you can expect them to last up to 3-4 months. 

Shine. Liquid car waxes can give your car a fantastic shine, much better than spray waxes, but not as deep and warm as paste waxes. Still, if they’re made of natural carnauba wax, you can expect an extremely high gloss of your vehicle’s paint. 

Price. Liquid waxes are somewhere in the middle with the price tag. They’re cheaper than paste waxes but more expensive than spray waxes. I think their pricing is just as it should be. Most liquid waxes sell at around $15 to $25 per bottle, and you can use that bottle for many applications.

Pros of liquid waxes. The pros of liquid form waxes are that they’re the best wax form for most people and offer you a perfect balance of everything: ease of application, longevity, shine, and in the end, the price. 

Cons of liquid waxes. Nothing special, but if I had to compare them to paste waxes, you may not get the same longevity. 

Spray Wax

Ease of Application. Spray waxes are the easiest wax type to apply on any vehicle. Most of them can be applied to a wet or dry car, and all you need to do is just a quick and simple wipe down, and boom, your car is shiny. 

Longevity. Even though spray waxes are extremely simple to apply, they’re the worst when it comes to longevity. Since they’re simple spray and wipe products, they can’t bond to the surface well, and all that shorten their lifespan on the clear coat. I don’t think you can expect more than 2 weeks from any spray wax unless you keep your car locked in the garage all the time. 

Shine. Spray waxes can increase the overall shine and gloss of your vehicle, but don’t expect miracles. They just can’t be compared to liquid and paste waxes. You will be amazed by hydrophobic properties, but the shine won’t be that deep and warm. If you buy a decent spray wax, the shine may be better, but again, nothing similar to liquid and paste waxes. 

Price. Spray waxes are usually the cheapest, and the reason is that these products are never pure waxes. However, even though the starting price is low, you can’t use it on so many vehicles since you’ll probably spend the whole bottle in just a few applications. So, the cost per application is higher than liquid and paste waxes, even though the initial investment is lower. Most spray waxes can be bought for ca. $10 to $15 a bottle.

Pros of spray wax. Spray waxes are the easiest to apply to paint surface on vehicles, and even a complete beginner will successfully apply them to their ride.

Cons of spray wax. The biggest con of every spray wax is that it just can’t last long because they don’t bond perfectly to the paint. Some waxes made of synthetic polymers may last longer, but in general, they last just a few weeks. 

Paste Wax

Ease of Application. I’m a big fan of paste waxes, but they’re the worst when it comes to application. It may be hard to distribute them evenly over the surface, and it takes a lot of elbow grease to buff them properly. 

Longevity. Ease of application may be a problem for some of you, but longevity is much better than liquid and spray waxes (in general). That’s because paste waxes usually bond to the surface much better, and not only do they last longer, but they also provide slightly better protection from bird droppings, bugs, and other paint contaminants. 

Shine. Paste waxes give your car the best, deepest, and warmest shine. That’s especially true if they’re made of natural waxes, such as carnauba wax. 

Price. Paste waxes are the most expensive ones, but in my opinion, that price tag is completely justified. With paste wax, you’ll be able to wax most cars with one can, and even though the initial investment is higher, the cost per application will be the lowest in the end. You can expect to buy a high-quality paste wax for approximately $20-30. 

Pros of paste wax. Two main pros of paste kind of wax are that paste waxes usually offer the best shine and best longevity, especially if there’s some synthetic polymer ingredient together with natural carnauba wax. That will make the difference. 

Cons of paste wax. Paste waxes are harder to apply; to distribute evenly on the clear coat and, in the end, buff out.

Which Car Wax Type Is The Best?

Each type of wax has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, making it the best choice for specific groups of car owners. As such, it’s important to consider your needs and preferences when choosing the best wax for your vehicle.

For the majority of car enthusiasts, liquid wax is the best type. It’s affordable, easy to apply, and can last for 3-4 months. Liquid waxes are a great choice for those who want to achieve a high-gloss finish on their car without spending too much time or effort on the application process.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of buffing your car or preparing the paint surface, spray waxes are a good option. Spray wax products are incredibly easy to apply, and although they don’t last as long as other types of wax, they can still give your vehicle a noticeable shine for a few days. They are the perfect choice for those who want to give their car a quick touch-up without investing too much time or money.

For those who want the best possible shine and gloss on their vehicle, paste waxes are the way to go. However, they are the most difficult type of wax to apply and require a well-prepared paint surface. Paste waxes are the best choice for experienced car detailers who want to make their car stand out from the crowd and look sexy. They offer the deepest shine and gloss and can make your car look like it just rolled off the showroom floor, especially if you use natural wax products. 

So, as you can see, there’s no one-product-fits-all. You should first consider your needs and wills and then decide which car wax type you’ll use. My personal favorite is paste waxes, but that’s based on my needs. In the end, you’re the one who will apply it, and you should pick the one you like the most. 

There’s only one category of waxes that you should avoid: cheap car waxes from unknown and questionable brands. It’s always better to pay a few bucks more for a high-quality wax. That’s why I created a list of the highest-quality car waxes on the market. Feel free to check it out; I assure you that every single product on that post is worth the money. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

As you can see above, there’s no actual winner when we compare liquid wax vs. paste wax vs. spray wax. It all depends on your preferences. But again, the liquid wax paint protection solution will probably fit most people, especially if it’s synthetic wax because of its extended longevity. 

Furthermore, you should also be aware of the differences between natural and synthetic waxes, a.k.a. paint sealants, so make sure to learn those as well since that’s the only way you’ll be able to pick just the right car wax for your vehicle. 

If you don’t know how to wax a car, I wrote two very simple guides, which you can check below:

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

Lastly, if you want the ultimate paint protection for your car, I suggest you forget about car wax and think about ceramic coatings. They are so far the longest-lasting paint protectant out there.