Best Wash & Wax Car Shampoo (Top 5 for 2023)

Wash & Wax Car Soap is different to regular car shampoo.  

Wash & Wax Shampoo is perfect for a quick maintenance wash.  It saves you time by applying gloss to your paint and glass.  There is no need to apply wax every time you wash your car.  

The wax or gloss enhancers found in these shampoos are simply layered on top of any wax or you may already have.  They will offer further protection and shine.

If you have a ceramic coating, you should check with the manufacturer if it’s ok to use a shampoo with wax it in.  Washing a ceramic-coated vehicle with a shampoo with wax in it may not be recommended.

I’m a big fan of spray waxes.  But I don’t always want to spend the extra time and expense required to apply it after each wash.  This is especially true in winter and I want to get out of the cold as quickly as possible.

If you’re planning on doing some paint correction such as polishing or compounding your car you should use a regular shampoo that doesn’t have any wax in it.  This is because the wax in these shampoos could make it harder to remove swirls and scratches.

Also, if you’re planning on applying a ceramic or graphene coating you should regular car shampoo instead.

1. Chemical Guys HydroSuds Ceramic Car Soap

Chemical Guys HydroSuds contains SiO2 which is the chemical used in ceramic coatings.  It bonds to paint gives fantastic gloss and shine.

The Ceramic ingredient in Hydro Suds is extremely diluted.  So it won’t last anywhere near as long as a dedicated ceramic coating.  But the shine and protection it gives will last for a few weeks.  

The best part is that the shine will improve each time you use it.  This is because you add another SiO2 layer each time you wash your car with it.

Chemical Guy’s shampoos are well known for their foaming ability.  And HydroSuds is no different.  It produces thick foam when used in a foam cannon or in a bucket when using the two-bucket method.

The suds and high levels of slickness help keep scratches to a minimum when used with a good quality microfibre wash mitt.

When you have rinsed off the suds you should dry your car with a plush microfiber drying towel.

Pros: Best gloss from any car shampoo hands down, produces thick suds, superb cleaning ability.

Cons: The product is very thin and watery which some people don’t like, costs more than other products.

2. Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wash and Wax

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wash and Wax is another SiO2 based product.  It enhances gloss and shine and color depth.  It definitely makes my wife’s blue car look bluer.  

Having been super impressed with other Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution products I had to give this a try.  And I’m very happy with it.

It doesn’t produce as much foam in my pressure washer and foam cannon as Hydro Suds above.  But it was excellent when used in a bucket.  The suds lasted long enough to wash my whole car and were just starting to fade when I was done.

If you want a ceramic wash and wax product that’s a lot cheaper than the Chemical Guys product this is the one to go for.

Turtle Wax recommends washing your car twice the first time you use it to get the best shine.  Each time you wash you will add another layer of protection and shine.

Pros: Best value for money for a Ceramic Wash and Wax, produces excellent shine, superb cleaning ability, nice water beading that gets better with each wash.

Cons: Thin and watery which some people don’t like, foam is not that thick when used in a foam cannon.

3. Adam’s Graphene Shampoo

Adam’s Graphene products have become hugely popular in the last few years.  And if you have a graphene ceramic coating this is then Adam’s Graphene Shampoo for you.

This Graphene Shampoo is designed on any car and not just cars that have a ceramic or graphene coating.

Its PH Neutral formula will protect existing coatings and add a layer of graphene oxide on top to add more gloss and protection.

Adams car shampoos produce great foam but this product does not.  They say that adding the graphene product to the shampoo reduces its foaming ability.

Despite the lack of thick foam it still has the high lubricity needed to protect your car from scratches while washing.   So don’t let the lack of foam put you off.

Pros: Adds Graphene protection which is long-lasting, easy to rinse off even if it has dried, shine gets better with each application.

Cons: Can be expensive.  Doesn’t seem to add much gloss after the first wash but gets better with each use, not a good foamer.

4. Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax

I simply had to include Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax in my list.  I used it for many years and still love the way it smells.

It’s the only product on my list that doesn’t contain SiO2 ceramic ingredients.  But it does contain genuine carnauba wax along with synthetic paint sealant polymers.  

carnauba wax offers a different type of shine.  It’s not as glossy as some of the other products but it still delivers great shine. 

The protection and shine it gives don’t last as long as the ceramic-based products but I think it has the best cleaning ability.

Its foams up well in a bucket but not as much as some other products.  It’s not designed to be used in a foam cannon or foam gun but it does seem to foam up well.

It’s a good maintenance wash product to use when you don’t plan on waxing your car for a while.

Pros: Great cleaning ability, smells great, contains real carnauba wax for decent levels of shine.

Cons: Shine doesn’t last as long as other products, foam is not that thick or long-lasting.

5. Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax

Another old-school carnauba wax shampoo, Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax does a very good job.  

It’s very popular and for good reason.  It cleans your car well and adds a little bit of wax.

But as you can imagine, the amount of wax is going to be very small.  When you dilute a cap full of the product in a bucket of water you will end up with almost nothing.  But it still adds a little shine which is always nice to see.

It feels super slick to the touch.  This is a good thing because it means you will end up with fewer swirls and scratches when you do your hand wash.

Pros: Brakes down grease and grime really well, long-lasting suds in your bucket, rinses off well.

Cons: Not very much shine is visible.

Final Words

During your maintenance wash, you need to protect your shine and add more if you can.   These modern shampoos do an incredible job, especially Chemical Guys HyrdoSuds.

It will save you time and make your car look like it was just waxed by a pro detailer.