When to glaze

G

glen e

Retired Geezer
I have poured over the detailer pic library and jobs posted here, the how-to's and the treads.... and I think I understand what glaze is all about. It fills in scratches and imperfections for a more perfect look.

1. But it only lasts a real short time correct? So you use it at a show or when you need to look really good, like a wedding?
2. and can you seal it in so it lasts longer?

Am I missing anything?
 
Personally I hate glazes. But I will use one as long as the customer knows I plan to use one. It is usually a budget thing that leads me to using a glaze.
 
Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things.

A glaze is used as a filler, or something that temporary fills in minor swirls and very light scratches. Glazes are temporary, more so than waxes or sealants, although you can boost the duration of a glaze by applying your LSP over the glaze.

Personally, I don't hate glazes, but they are definitely not my modus operandi. Glazes tend to create a love it or loathe it reaction in most detailers, and whether or not they detail for money plays a strong role in this. All things have their place, it's just a matter of knowing the right situation.
 
CH.Detailing said:
Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things.

A glaze is used as a filler, or something that temporary fills in minor swirls and very light scratches. Glazes are temporary, more so than waxes or sealants, although you can boost the duration of a glaze by applying your LSP over the glaze.
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Thank you Connor - so then I assume the "sandwich" of glaze/LSP is as good as how long the LSP lasts?
 
Not quite, it's more of an in-between. Normally the paint (permanent, hard surface) is the substrate bonding surface for the LSP, but in this scenario the glaze (temporary, soft surface) is the bonding surface. Basically, the wax or sealant is protecting the glaze, which in turn protects the paint, but the bond between the wax or sealant and the glaze is not as strong as it otherwise would be with paint due to the nature of the glaze. I hope thats not too confusing.
 
Another thing to consider is that it is impractical to have a DD and expect it to look like a show car at all times. Your car only has so much clear or SS paint on it and can only be corrected so many times before there is nothing left to correct. That is where a glaze comes in. You can use it for the in between polishing time to keep your car looking great.
 
It might just be me but I always use a glaze oil product after polishing if time allows.
I mainly use Meguiar's consumer line polish, like Ultimate Polish or DC#2 pure polish.
I then seal it up with a sealant.

I found that this make my silver paint look good with maximum clarity.
 
I probably should glaze my car, I've never so much as polished it in the time I've had it. And I do have a half empty bottle of EZ Creme that I can't even remember the last I used. Now I just need to find the motivation.
 
glazes can also only do so much on really bad swirls

I did a test of a couple glazes topped by sealants over on AG and while they helped, they didn't completely fill, and they were partially removed after one wash
 
CH.Detailing said:
I probably should glaze my car, I've never so much as polished it in the time I've had it. And I do have a half empty bottle of EZ Creme that I can't even remember the last I used. Now I just need to find the motivation.
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So your like the electrician who's house burns down from an electrical short.:rofl
 
CH.Detailing said:
I probably should And I do have a half empty bottle of EZ Creme that I can't even remember the last I used. Now I just need to find the motivation.
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Actually, EZ Creme's best point is it's cleaning ability - not its filling. If you put it down with a black pad on after polishing on a swirl-free car and lay your LSP on top, you will really like the results. Replaces the IPA wipedown or post-polish wash.
 
"Grant me the power tools to correct what I can, the fillers to cover what I can't, and the wisdom to know the difference."
 
Im not to fond of the fil-in glazes my self, but an after polishing glaze like CG EZ Creme, which removes any left over oils and residue and makes the paint really look that extra level before applying a sealant / wax, is a fantastic added step. I personally strive for perfection in the polishing stage and get the highest possible correction with the lowest amount of paint removed. Shops that glaze cars really irks me, as normally after a bit of time everything shows back up and the customer has to start from square one.
 
Back in the old days, before all the newer technology was barely even a brain-fart in someone's imagination, the only Glaze out there was Meguiars No. 7, a gold colored, thick liquid that everyone on the show car circuits used to really amp up the shine "one last time". It had the classic Meguiars mix of oils, etc., and it really did improve the gloss - until the next car wash.. :)

I think the newer Glazes today - like Chemical Guys EZ-Creme Glaze w/Acrylic Shine II are way better as has been posted above. I think I have read somewhere else that a few of the top detailers even use this product not to hide defects but to amp up the finished paint before applying their LSP.

Dan F
 
Back in the older days it was Liquid Ebony.:inspector:
DSC09803.jpg
 
CH.Detailing said:
Not quite, it's more of an in-between. Normally the paint (permanent, hard surface) is the substrate bonding surface for the LSP, but in this scenario the glaze (temporary, soft surface) is the bonding surface. Basically, the wax or sealant is protecting the glaze, which in turn protects the paint, but the bond between the wax or sealant and the glaze is not as strong as it otherwise would be with paint due to the nature of the glaze. I hope thats not too confusing.
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This is the general rule of thumb, but not necessarily true. For example Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection will bond equally well, if not a little bit better, when applied over Gloss Enhancing Polish. This is do to a synergistic effect with the products, where the sum is greater than the whole. Like primer on dry wall before painting.



mjlinane said:
Actually, EZ Creme's best point is it's cleaning ability - not its filling. If you put it down with a black pad on after polishing on a swirl-free car and lay your LSP on top, you will really like the results. Replaces the IPA wipedown or post-polish wash.
Click to expand...

I have heard this before, but have seen (first hand) a few cars that were detailed in this manner and several months later there where holograms present. Also I remember reading several detailed threads, with lots of photos and testing, about the filling ability of EZ Creme.
 
Todd Helme said:
I have heard this before, but have seen (first hand) a few cars that were detailed in this manner and several months later there where holograms present. Also I remember reading several detailed threads, with lots of photos and testing, about the filling ability of EZ Creme.
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Could be. Mine generally didn't keep sealant on them several (or even 2) months.

Coating them is going to prove a challenge.
 
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