When Do You Use a Glaze?

Discussion in 'Last Steps: Waxes, Sealants, and Coatings' started by AJF, Aug 31, 2013.

  1. AJF

    AJF Virgin Detailer

    I'm new to this, just worked up the courage (with Phil's help) to start using a DA and the results have been great. I like using a sealant and recently added a top coat of wax (AF Illusions which is fantastic) . But when and why do you use a glaze ?
     
    ollever likes this.
  2. Meticulous-Detail

    Meticulous-Detail DB Forum Supporter

    Glazes are used to hide imperfections and add gloss and shine. They will fill in swirl marks and hide slight imperfections. I like to use them on a show car after a full detail to give it that extra pop. I probably wouldn't use a glaze on a daily driver or a car parked outside. I use a glaze on my Shelby right before a show.
     
  3. AJF

    AJF Virgin Detailer

    Thanks, do you put a coat of wax before or on top of the glaze?
     
  4. Stokdgs

    Stokdgs Detail Master

    Again, the Glaze is used to hide imperfections, add a little more gloss. So this would be put on after paint correction..

    The last step in your process, would be to apply a wax, sealant, etc..

    Good luck with your process !
    Dan F
     
  5. Swanicyouth

    Swanicyouth Two Bucket System Washer

    You use a glaze before a wax/sealant but after polishing. Its like "make-up" to hide any slight defects. But, theoretically, any defects that a glaze could hide would be gone from polishing. A glaze can only hide slight swirls.

    A lot of hardcore detail guys won't use glazes, because they only temporarily mask any swirls, and its usually fairly easy to polish them out so they are gone. Unless your detailing for dollars, and that is what the customer wants or can afford.

    You also could run into the situation where a paint is to thin to safely polish, then periodic application of a glaze could help mask the defects.

    Glazes are also used when a car is newly painted at the body shop. Often time this is used to hide the holograms the painter put into the paint with rotary buffing. After a few rains, the glaze is gone and the holograms are back. Believe it or not, this is fairly common on the re-finishing industry. Most glazes are also safe on fresh paint that shouldn't be waxed or sealed for 30 days.

    But not all glazes are the same. Products like Prima Amigo are a glaze/paint cleaner/light polish. This is an awesome product to prep a car with for an LSP with no swirls. Glazes like Wet Glaze 2.0 and Black Hole are often used as "gloss enhancers" as well.
     
  6. AJF

    AJF Virgin Detailer

    That's exactly why I was asking. I bought a beautiful black CPO last year and it looked great when I picked it up, but after a few washes it looked horrendous; swirls, buffer trails, holograms etc. I had Dave Saunders ( Street Dreams Detail - New Jersey's Finest Car Care - Home ) do the paint correction and it was just a miraculous transformation. He told me that just about every dealership uses a glaze to hide the swirls etc which is just as you said too. Recently a friend told me about Black Hole, so that's why I was wondering when and if you use a glaze. I want to keep up the great look that Dave attained on my car, so I've just started doing the basic stuff. Now what is an LSP?
     
  7. Stokdgs

    Stokdgs Detail Master

    " Now what is an LSP? "

    I cant believe you had one of the best Detailers on the East Coast work on your car, and you came away not knowing anything? :)


    Dan F
     
  8. wheelzntoys01

    wheelzntoys01 Any Rag Vehicle Washer

  9. Pureshine

    Pureshine DB Pro Supporter

    IMO Glazes are for production shops but thats just me.
     
    JoeyV likes this.
  10. Meticulous-Detail

    Meticulous-Detail DB Forum Supporter

    Agreed, but the pure gloss enhancer glazes IMO add a layer of wetness and depth, like WG2.0 or CG EZ Creme.
     
  11. AJF

    AJF Virgin Detailer

    Because Dave detailed my car I should know what LSP means ? Other than being insulting by saying I don't know anything, I don't understand what you mean by that comment.
     
  12. AJF

    AJF Virgin Detailer

  13. Kilo6_one

    Kilo6_one DB Forum Supporter

    On donuts..............donuts only.
     
    Reggie Sanchez likes this.
  14. bigaudiofanatic

    bigaudiofanatic Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    I think glaze even if was applied would be stripped when you do a IPA wipe down before applying a sealant or wax. I don't use them unless the car is a garage kept weekend driver.
     
  15. '470

    '470 Virgin Detailer

    I used to use Adam's Brilliant Glaze and it looked amazing, but I found it really cut down on the durability of the Americana wax. Now I just use it to clean the flat black stripes on my Charger.
     
  16. David Fermani

    David Fermani DB Certified Manufacturer

    I actually love using HD Speed as my "glaze" under either HD Poxy or Nitro Seal, but I personally feel it gives a better base and makes them last longer.
     
  17. 99monguse

    99monguse Birth of a Detailer

     
  18. Woob

    Woob Jedi Nuba

    Yup, and they are a great source of bringing in mayhem!
     
  19. JoeyV

    JoeyV Welcome to Detailing

    I don't think he was trying to insult you. He most likely meant it this way: "You had one of the top detailers work on your car, and he didn't teach you anything in terms of basic maintenance and the most common terms/acronyms?!"
    To answer the OP question, I don't use glazes. Anything a glaze could hide, I'd rather use a very light polish/swirl remover and fix the issue rather than hide it. In the extremely rare case the car's paint is too thin to polish, even ever so slightly, I tell the owner "what's up" and have them be prepared to paint the car in the coming months/years as the damage is too far gone.
     
  20. ricky bobby

    ricky bobby New Member

    I never glazed and never will, in my opinion its just as similar as "throwing a coat of wax" from the big box stores that has a bunch of fillers.
     

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