Car glaze is a mixture of creamy oils and chemical compounds designed to enhance the paint’s appearance. These oils help conceal minor scratches by filling in microscopic imperfections. It is especially noticeable on darker metallic paints.
When to Apply
First, wash your car and clay it to remove any contaminants. Apply the polish of your choice to help smooth out the paint and make it showroom-ready. Now is the time to add a thin layer of glaze to the paint. After it cures, add a wax or sealant to lock it in. Due to the volatile oils and chemicals in the glaze, it tends to disappear within a week or two if left alone, so a sealant is necessary to lock in the shine.
How To Apply Glaze
The goal is to apply only a thin layer of glaze. Follow these steps:
- Work on one section or panel of the vehicle at a time.
- Add four quarter-sized circles of glaze to a clean folded microfiber or applicator.
- Dab the product over the entire car’s panel.
- Spread the glaze using the applicator or microfiber, making horizontal strokes across the vehicle’s panel.
- Overlap the strokes slightly to ensure that no area is missed.
- Take the applicator and spread the product again evenly over the paint in a vertical motion, moving up and down across the panel.
We suggest applying by hand, but you could use a rotary machine to speed things up.
Most car glazes haze (or cure) in 15 minutes. When it has cured, you will notice the product is hardened and has a hint of yellow or white coloring. Buff off the residue with a clean microfiber cloth. If you feel the fabric dragging across the paint, you have applied too much product, making it too thick. Any excess glaze you buff off is waste. So, aim for a super-thin layer of glaze.
Some folks apply a second layer, but that is optional. After you have finished using the glaze over all the car’s paint, apply a wax or sealant to lock in that eye-popping shine.
Here’s a pro tip: At some car auctions or car shows, you might see the car’s owner applying glaze to the car’s paint. That will hide some minor flaws and scratches, making the car’s finish shine in the bright lights. However, in a week or two, it will wear off, and any hidden scratches or dull paintwork will become visible again.
Popular Brands
Most car detailing manufacturers offer a glaze product. eBay Motors has lots of options.
Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze is a mainstay in detailing circles. Their Professional Show Car Glaze is often referred to as #7, thanks to its item number in catalogs and online listings. It is a beige colored cream that is smooth to the touch. Expect to pay about $25 for a 16-ounce bottle.
3M packages a similar pint of “hand glaze” for under $35. Chemical Guys sells a similarly sized green cream Wet Mirror Finish for under $22. Any of these containers should give you at least four applications, depending on the vehicle size.
Although applying glaze is an extra step in a car detailing routine, you will be impressed with the results. Glaze adds great depth and brilliance to the paint, making it a worthwhile investment of time and effort.
