What is the purpose of glaze?

[Brenton]

This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of a glaze. I've tried to :search but didn't find anything. I have a gallon of commercial glaze that my old boss used to use as an LSP because it is easy to use, but leaves only a month or so of protection. Mostly with a rotary it leaves a good shine on a good to excellent finish, so on a car lot it looks fine. It is quick and easy to use.
I typically
-wash
-clay
-Farecla compound & polish system
or
-SSR system
-sealant and/or wax

But where does it fit in any process?
Do you use it? Why?

[Luster]

Glaze has been around for years as a last step before a car show. I really gives the car's finish a nice pop... But it only lasts a few days. It's kind of an "old-school" thing......

Not sure about the chemical ingredients, but with todays waxes and sealants, I think glaze is a little out-dated.

[Big Leegr]

In your line-up, it would be after the SSR's and before the wax. (There seems to be a general consensus that sealants don't "stick" to glazes very well.)
Glazes are used for "filling" scratches etc. and for adding to the look of the finish (wetness, depth, whatever).
I use glazes on cars that aren't going to be taken care of, or ones that have *BAD* damage. Granted, they don't last too long (Yours lasting a month unprotected sounds like it may be one of those "gray area" labels - labeled as a glaze, but is actually a polish, wax or combo), but on the rough cars I use glazes on, defects would be introduced just as fast.

[JeffW]

I, too, have often wondered about glazes so I'm glad to see this thread.

With a wax over the glaze, then the durability will be based on how well the wax holds up/is maintained, right?

One of my fav products, WG sealant, has a 'finishing glaze' which WG indicates can be used prior to either a wax or sealant. I love the look that WG sealant gives my magnesium metallic, so I'm interested in knowing whether the WG glaze will enhance it, and how peoples luck with this combination has been.

[Sherman8r44]

Glaze typically refers to a step right before a carnauba wax that is meant to hide swirls and scratches and also to give more gloss to the paint. As Luster said, it's an old-schoool thing.

[mgm2003]

Originally Posted by Sherman8r44

Glaze typically refers to a step right before a carnauba wax that is meant to hide swirls and scratches and also to give more gloss to the paint. As Luster said, it's an old-schoool thing.

Agree. I view glazes as serving (2) purposes:

1) They enhance the overall appearance.
2) Many glazes effectively mask minor defects.

[rabbi]

I put a glaze on before the sealant. I think it adds wetness to the appearance. It is also used to mask minor flaws. I love it and when I do a full detail I include a glaze.

[JeffW]

Originally Posted by rabbi

I put a glaze on before the sealant. I think it adds wetness to the appearance. It is also used to mask minor flaws. I love it and when I do a full detail I include a glaze.

Rabbi - what do you typically use, and do you use it under UPP?

[rabbi]

Jeff, I put VM under UPP. My wife's car is silver metallic and until I used UPP I have to tell ya I wasn't a very big fan of that color. Well after I put UPP on her car the color was dazzling. I never thought I could ever make it look better but I was mistaken. UPP over Vanilla Mooose made the car shimmer. The metallic not only pops but it looks so wet. For the record I also put EX and EX-P over VM. Imho the use of glaze is well worth the little bit of extra time and effort.I've also used Meg's #7 but VM is much easier.

[Brenton]

Thanx for all the replies.
For those of you who use Glaze, it sounds like a way of bringing out the colour by hiding imperfections. Wouldn't there be bonding issues then with the wax/sealant on top, even with good results?
I'm more concerned about commercial app, since my car gets wax whenever I have an hour or so available in my shop, so longevity isn't a big issue. But I know the glaze I've used disappears quickly when it is a stand alone.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by rabbi

I put a glaze on before the sealant. I think it adds wetness to the appearance. It is also used to mask minor flaws. I love it and when I do a full detail I include a glaze.

I'm right along with you on this one....in full details sometimes its hard to get all the defects out...this just helps to make a better finish...I always seal then paste wax....the finish is flawless for the most part and wet looking

[magicman411]

Most glazes tend to be very heavy petroleum based with mild abrasives. The heavy oils are good for "feeding" the paint. The abrasives help with mild leveling abilities.
the old school 3 step was compound which cleaned but dried out the paint, glaze which glossed the paint the paint and filled swirls followed by a final wax to protect and seal.
The current products I use have a nice swirl remover that has abrasive and alot of oils. I think the term "glaze" will be replaced by swirl remover in 10 years.
Just my thoughts.

[Bence]

Well, the term glaze might be old-school but the products are alive and kickin'. A glaze will not only add to the overall appearance, but helps as well.

As we all know, there are paint finishes that are too old/delicate/thin/sensitive/damaged to use harsh leveling polishes on them. We should conserve this fine balance where paint removal could mean potential full paint system failure. Therefore, we should fill and protect the paint instead of removing from it unnecessarily. This can be vital and important when we try to save an all-original classic.

So, when we can not correct the surface by removing the necessary layer/amount, then a glaze is the only solution to produce an acceptable finish. Therefore glazes will always have their places in the detailing world; old-school term or not.

Nowadays, glazes are more durable than for example the "ancient" #7, which is a non-drying oil. The modern polymer glazes like Finish Kare 303 work both mechanically, but at the same time they fill and enhance gloss. VM too, is an excellent product for this purpose as Rabbi stated. Interestingly, I start to see and use NXT Paste as a glaze, because it has mild, fine cleaning power, excellent, reflective, glossy appearance and fills a bit as well. Then I top it with something really durable, like Collinite 845 or #21 and I have the best of both worlds.

[TomG]

Given paint in overall good condition - would a glaze be an added benifit inder a sealant or wax. If it adds a wet look to pain on poor paint then I would assume I would make good paint look even better. other that adding an additional step in the detailing process are there any down sides to this?

[Bence]

Sometimes reduced durability, but this is not an issue with the right glaze. The appearance will almost always gain.