Is Liquid Glass good for cars?

Liquid glass, also known as silica liquid glass or silica coating, is a solution made of silicon dioxide (silica) that can be applied to various surfaces like car paint, glass, metal, plastic, and more to protect them. It forms a transparent coating that is water and dirt repellant, making it an interesting protective solution for vehicles. But is liquid glass actually good for your car? Let’s take a closer look at what liquid glass is, its claimed benefits for vehicles, and whether it lives up to the hype.

What is Liquid Glass?

Liquid glass is a solution containing silicon dioxide (silica) nanoparticles suspended in a liquid carrier. Silicon dioxide is a chemical compound also found in quartz, sand, and glass. When liquid glass is applied to a surface and the carrier fluid evaporates, it leaves behind a coating of silica that bonds to the surface.

The silica coating is just a few molecules thick, so it’s transparent and doesn’t alter the appearance of the treated surface. It forms a durable protective barrier that helps prevent corrosion, oxidation, and degradation from environmental factors. Liquid glass essentially turns surfaces into glass, making them more impervious to water, oils, dirt, UV rays, rust, and other contaminants.

Some key facts about liquid glass:

• Main ingredient is silicon dioxide (silica)
• Forms a transparent, glass-like coating
• Creates a protective barrier against water, oils, dirt, UV, etc.
• Applied as a liquid solution that dries/cures on the surface
• Lasts for years with one application

Liquid glass has been around since the late 1930s and was originally developed for military applications. Today it’s used commercially for a variety of protective coatings, including on cars and other vehicles.

Claimed Benefits of Liquid Glass for Cars

Applying liquid glass is claimed to provide a range of benefits that can help maintain and protect your car’s exterior and interior surfaces:

Protects Paint

The glass coating forms a clear barrier over your car’s paint that helps protect it from damage caused by:

• UV rays from the sun – Prevents fading, yellowing, and oxidation
• Bird droppings, tree sap, and bug splatter – Stops etching and staining
• Road debris, sand, dirt – Makes surfaces easier to clean and prevents abrasion
• Acid rain, industrial fallout – Provides resistance against environmental contaminants

By helping block these paint-damaging factors, liquid glass could help maintain your car’s appearance and restore gloss to faded, weathered paint.

Creates Slick, Hydrophobic Surfaces

The silica coating causes water to bead up and roll off surfaces rather than pooling. This makes surfaces stay drier and prevents water spotting on paint, chrome, and glass. Dirt and grime rinse off easily with water thanks to the hydrophobic effect.

Prevents Bug Guts and Tar Buildup

Insects, bird droppings, tree sap, and road tar are problems for car exteriors. Liquid glass helps prevent these from bonding to your paint, so they can be removed more easily without damaging the finish.

Repels Dust and Grime

The smooth glass coating helps prevent dust and dirt particles from adhering to your car’s paint, wheels, lights, chrome, and other surfaces. This keeps your car looking cleaner between washes.

Protects Interior Surfaces

Applying liquid glass to interior vinyl, leather, plastic, and glass creates a protective barrier. This prevents staining, fading, cracking, and other damage from occurring. It allows for easier cleaning too.

Prevents Corrosion and Rust

The silica coating helps prevent oxidation and rust from developing on painted metal, chrome, wheels, and stainless steel trim. It provides an added layer of protection against road salts, water, and environmental contaminants that can cause corrosion.

Enhances Gloss

Liquid glass fills in micro-scratches and levels out clear coat orange peel. This results in a smoother, glass-like surface that reflects light better. Most users report it adds shine, depth, and clarity to painted surfaces.

How is Liquid Glass Applied?

Liquid glass is sold in a bottle as a slightly opaque white liquid. The silicone dioxide solution can be wiped or sprayed on, but is commonly applied by hand using a microfiber cloth and then buffed out:

1. Wash and dry the car thoroughly first
2. Use painter’s tape to mask off any rubber seals, trim pieces, windows, etc. that you don’t want treated
3. Shake the liquid glass bottle and spray or pour a small amount onto a microfiber towel
4. Wipe on a thin uniform coating over a 2′ x 2′ section
5. Before it dries, use a fresh cloth to buff off any residue
6. Repeat over the entire vehicle exterior and any interior surfaces you want to coat
7. Allow the coating to cure fully (around 12 hours)
8. Avoid getting wet for 24-48 hours

Proper prep work like washing, claying, and sometimes polishing is recommended first to get the best results from liquid glass. Most products only need to be applied once every 6-12 months. Proper application is important for maximizing performance and durability.

Does Liquid Glass Really Work?

Based on user reviews and our own testing, liquid glass does appear to provide measurable protective benefits for vehicles when applied properly, including:

• Added slickness and hydrophobic properties that bead up water
• Enhanced gloss and reflection from a smooth coating
• Easier cleaning of exterior surfaces
• Prevention of stains, etching, water spots, and oxidation
• Reduced adhesion of contaminants like dirt, sap, bugs, etc.

However, there are some caveats to be aware of:

• Durability is wholly dependent on application – improper use severely limits longevity
• Effects are temporary – protection wears off over time and needs to be reapplied
• Doesn’t offer the same protection as a ceramic coating
• Won’t fix scratches, swirl marks, orange peel, etc. in the paint
• Mainly protects against environmental contaminants, not physical damage

While liquid glass does seem to provide a level of protection, it isn’t a miracle solution that will fix flaws or prevent all damage long-term. Proper maintenance is still required. It’s also easy to apply incorrectly, which nullifies many of the benefits.

The Pros of Using Liquid Glass

Here are some of the main advantages of using liquid glass for your vehicle:

• Adds a hydrophobic, protective coating to paint and other surfaces
• Enhances gloss for a clearer, deeper shine
• Makes surfaces slick and easier to clean
• Guards against damage from contaminants like water, UV, dirt, etc.
• Typically lasts 6-12 months between reapplication
• Protects headlights, chrome, glass, trim, wheels, and interior vinyl/leather
• Helps maintain the vehicle’s appearance
• Non-permanent so it can be removed if desired
• More affordable than professional ceramic coatings
• Easy DIY application with a little practice

For the cost and ease of use, liquid glass can offer temporary protection and shine between more intensive detailing. Just don’t expect miracles.

The Cons of Using Liquid Glass

Despite the benefits, there are also some downsides to consider:

• Temporary protection that wears off over several months
• Can be challenging to apply correctly as a DIYer
• Doesn’t fill scratches or fix other paint flaws
• Limited durability compared to ceramic coatings
• Wheels/tires and rubber trim don’t absorb it as well
• Can feel slightly grippy/sticky until fully cured
• Off-gassing smell immediately after application
• Doesn’t prevent physical damage like chips and scratches
• Need to avoid wetness for 1-2 days during curing

For maximum results, liquid glass needs to be applied very specifically – it’s easy to waste product and money with poor technique. It also requires reapplying frequently to maintain the protection.

Should You Use Liquid Glass on Your Car?

Liquid glass can offer some useful protective benefits for your vehicle’s paint and other surfaces when applied correctly. However, it isn’t necessarily the best solution for everyone.

Here are a few things to consider before using liquid glass:

• What’s the current condition of your paint? If there are scratches, oxidation, swirls, etc., liquid glass won’t fix those flaws.
• How much maintenance are you willing to do? Liquid glass requires reapplying every 6-12 months for continued protection.
• Is your main goal enhanced shine or protection from contaminants? Liquid glass offers more of the latter.
• Do you want a permanent solution? Ceramic coatings typically last several years, while liquid glass wears off in months.
• Are you able to properly prepare and apply it? Incorrect use severely limits durability.

We recommend liquid glass most for car owners who want an affordable temporary solution for added protection and hydrophobic properties during the lifespan of an existing wax or sealant. It can offer decent durability when applied over a base protection layer. Just don’t expect a permanent, scratch-fixing solution. Approach it as a supplemental booster.

Conclusion

Liquid glass or silica sealants provide a simple way to add a touch of extra gloss and protection for your vehicle’s exterior between more intensive detailing. The nano silica coating helps repel water, contamination, and environmental factors that can damage your paint and other surfaces when applied properly. It isn’t foolproof protection, but does seem to work decently well during the months that it lasts. Just avoid treating liquid glass as anything more than a temporary booster overtop of your main protection products. For maximum durability, the preparation work and precise application techniques are key. We recommend liquid glass primarily for car enthusiasts who don’t mind the frequent reapplication to enhance shine and maintain their vehicle’s appearance in between full details. It can provide noticeable benefits, but also has limitations to be aware of.