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  • #1

    Glaze/Sealant/Wax

    Whats the difference between these three and how to use them. Currently when I do a complete detail, I do the following:

    Wash
    Clay
    Compound/Polish (UC/UP will be buying M105 and M205 in the near future)
    Wax (ULW)

    I've been reading up on some of the threads and it has me confused about what should I be really doing to get the best look for my paint. Can anyone help? Is ULW considered a sealant? If so should I be using a Carnauba wax on top of that and where does a glaze come in?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

    Unfortunately, those three terms can be confused and/or used interchangeably between different manufacturers.

    What you're doing is sound and there is no reason to do anything different, unless you really want to, or you see some benefit from it.

    Yes, ULW is a sealant. A sealant is basically just a synthetic wax. They both do the same job, but a sealant will generally be more durable, as it will contain totally or primarily synthetic ingredients. A wax will consist of primarily natural ingredients (usually carnauba and/or montan wax) and so will not be as durable.

    The main advantage of using a wax over (or instead of) a sealant is that a wax imparts a different look to the paint (more noticable on darker colors), which some people prefer. Mind you, the difference is subtle, and many can't even notice it, especially on lighter colors.

    But essentially, both waxes and sealants are considered LSP's (Last Step Products) and are used to protect the paint and impart some shine.

    A glaze, in the true sense of the word (IMO) is not an LSP. A glaze imparts shine / depth / clarity to the paint and "moisturises" it with polishing oils. It still must be followed up with a wax and/or sealant. Glazes are most commonly used after compounding/polishing, but can sometimes be used before. However they don't need to be used at all if you don't want to - especially with modern catalized clear coat paints which are common now. Glazes are more beneficial on single stage paints, which were more common 30+ years ago.

    The confusion occurs when some manufacturers use the term "glaze", when it's really a sealant / wax or vice-versa. Meguiars also uses the term "wax" for both waxes and sealants (e.g. ULW), which can be confusing for some.

    So have I confused you? Hopefully not!
    Originally posted by Blueline
    I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

      Originally posted by davey g-force View Post
      Unfortunately, those three terms can be confused and/or used interchangeably between different manufacturers.

      What you're doing is sound and there is no reason to do anything different, unless you really want to, or you see some benefit from it.

      Yes, ULW is a sealant. A sealant is basically just a synthetic wax. They both do the same job, but a sealant will generally be more durable, as it will contain totally or primarily synthetic ingredients. A wax will consist of primarily natural ingredients (usually carnauba and/or montan wax) and so will not be as durable.

      The main advantage of using a wax over (or instead of) a sealant is that a wax imparts a different look to the paint (more noticable on darker colors), which some people prefer. Mind you, the difference is subtle, and many can't even notice it, especially on lighter colors.

      But essentially, both waxes and sealants are considered LSP's (Last Step Products) and are used to protect the paint and impart some shine.

      A glaze, in the true sense of the word (IMO) is not an LSP. A glaze imparts shine / depth / clarity to the paint and "moisturises" it with polishing oils. It still must be followed up with a wax and/or sealant. Glazes are most commonly used after compounding/polishing, but can sometimes be used before. However they don't need to be used at all if you don't want to - especially with modern catalized clear coat paints which are common now. Glazes are more beneficial on single stage paints, which were more common 30+ years ago.

      The confusion occurs when some manufacturers use the term "glaze", when it's really a sealant / wax or vice-versa. Meguiars also uses the term "wax" for both waxes and sealants (e.g. ULW), which can be confusing for some.

      So have I confused you? Hopefully not!
      No you haven't, thank you so much for clearing it up.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

        Originally posted by davey g-force View Post
        Unfortunately, those three terms can be confused and/or used interchangeably between different manufacturers.

        What you're doing is sound and there is no reason to do anything different, unless you really want to, or you see some benefit from it.

        Yes, ULW is a sealant. A sealant is basically just a synthetic wax. They both do the same job, but a sealant will generally be more durable, as it will contain totally or primarily synthetic ingredients. A wax will consist of primarily natural ingredients (usually carnauba and/or montan wax) and so will not be as durable.

        The main advantage of using a wax over (or instead of) a sealant is that a wax imparts a different look to the paint (more noticable on darker colors), which some people prefer. Mind you, the difference is subtle, and many can't even notice it, especially on lighter colors.

        But essentially, both waxes and sealants are considered LSP's (Last Step Products) and are used to protect the paint and impart some shine.

        A glaze, in the true sense of the word (IMO) is not an LSP. A glaze imparts shine / depth / clarity to the paint and "moisturises" it with polishing oils. It still must be followed up with a wax and/or sealant. Glazes are most commonly used after compounding/polishing, but can sometimes be used before. However they don't need to be used at all if you don't want to - especially with modern catalized clear coat paints which are common now. Glazes are more beneficial on single stage paints, which were more common 30+ years ago.

        The confusion occurs when some manufacturers use the term "glaze", when it's really a sealant / wax or vice-versa. Meguiars also uses the term "wax" for both waxes and sealants (e.g. ULW), which can be confusing for some.

        So have I confused you? Hopefully not!
        Geez, not much left for us to say here!!
        Michael Stoops
        Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

        Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

          It never ceases to amaze me how what appears such a simple subject at the outset - "make my paint look good and keep it that way", can be infernally complicated when you get into the detail.

          i was glad keiron24 asked the question as it was on my mind as well.

          Great answer BTW, Davey g-force.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

            Originally posted by Jasonk View Post
            It never ceases to amaze me how what appears such a simple subject at the outset - "make my paint look good and keep it that way", can be infernally complicated when you get into the detail.

            i was glad keiron24 asked the question as it was on my mind as well.

            Great answer BTW, Davey g-force.
            yes it was

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

              Originally posted by Jasonk View Post
              It never ceases to amaze me how what appears such a simple subject at the outset - "make my paint look good and keep it that way", can be infernally complicated when you get into the detail.

              i was glad keiron24 asked the question as it was on my mind as well.

              Great answer BTW, Davey g-force.
              Hey, no worries.

              Welcome to the world of detailing, it can sometimes get much more complicated than that!

              ...But the beauty of it is that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you like.
              Originally posted by Blueline
              I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

                I've been thinking about trying out the Carnauba wax over the ULW just to see if I notice a difference. But then I remembered that whenever I dry my vehicle I use UQW on the surface and then dry with a water magnet. How will UQW and Carnuaba wax react since the Carnuaba is natural and UQW is synthetic?

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

                  Applying UQW over a carnauba is perfectly fine, but keep in mind that the final product you apply to the paint will carry it's unique characteristics with it. In the case of UQW over a carnauba, you'll get the hydrophobic properties of the UQW and potentially any subtle difference in appearance it might present over the carnauba. Assuming, that is, that you can see a difference between a carnauba and a synthetic on your paint in the first place. Some can, some can't. You could always use Gold Class Quik Wax after a wash once you've got a carnauba wax applied, just to keep things in the same family.
                  Michael Stoops
                  Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                  Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

                    Originally posted by Michael Stoops View Post
                    Applying UQW over a carnauba is perfectly fine, but keep in mind that the final product you apply to the paint will carry it's unique characteristics with it. In the case of UQW over a carnauba, you'll get the hydrophobic properties of the UQW and potentially any subtle difference in appearance it might present over the carnauba. Assuming, that is, that you can see a difference between a carnauba and a synthetic on your paint in the first place. Some can, some can't. You could always use Gold Class Quik Wax after a wash once you've got a carnauba wax applied, just to keep things in the same family.
                    I'll stick with the ULW and UQW to keep it simple but thanks for the info though.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Glaze/Sealant/Wax

                      Do not compound any more than you need to.

                      Comment

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