Buying guide
The Glaze Bench
Updated How we research
Color, gloss, and finish for every firing. The page is split into five sections (Go-To Glazes; Clear Coats; Glaze Brushes; Dipping Glazes; Wax Resist), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 18 picks. Our scores range from 6.5 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Mayco Stroke & Coat Ceramic Glaze Kit #1, Set of 12 - 2 Fl Oz Bottles. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Penguin Pottery Ceramic Wax Resist for Pottery Glaze, Clay Glaze, Slip Clay - Alternative to Latex Resist (1 Pint | 473 ml). Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:AMACO Low Fire Liquid Dipping Glaze, Clear DC-10, 1 Gallon Jar. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:GACDR Pottery Brushes for Glazing, 15 Pcs Ceramic Brush Set With Storage Box, Wool Bamboo Hake for Pottery, Acrylic, Watercolor. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Go-To Glazes
- Mayco Stroke & Coat Ceramic Glaze Kit #1, Set of 12 - 2 Fl Oz BottlesOur score8.6/10
- Mayco Speckled Stroke and Coat Glaze - SP231 - The Blues - PintOur score8.1/10
- Penguin Pottery - Clear Glaze - Low Fire Glaze Cone 06-04 for Low Fire Clay (1 Pint)Our score7.8/10
- Penguin Pottery - Gentoo Series - Sky Blue - Low Fire Glaze Cone 06-04 (1 Pint)Our score7.6/10
Clear Coats
- Amaco LG-10 Lead Free Liquid Gloss Glaze, Clear, Pint 16 OzOur score8.1/10
- AMACO Celadon C-11 Mixing Clear High Fire Transparent Gloss Glaze Pint, 16 oz. (473 mL), Cone 5-6 Liquid Ceramic Pottery Glaze for BisqueOur score8.0/10
- Penguin Pottery - Clear Glaze - Low Fire Glaze Cone 06-04 for Low Fire Clay (1 Pint)Our score7.8/10
- AMACO High Fire Zinc-Free Clear Gloss Glaze PintOur score7.3/10
Glaze Brushes
- GACDR Pottery Brushes for Glazing, 15 Pcs Ceramic Brush Set With Storage Box, Wool Bamboo Hake for Pottery, Acrylic, WatercolorOur score8.4/10
- 10 Pcs Pottery Glazing Brushes, Goat Hair Mop & Blending Brush Set for Ceramics, Acrylic Painting, Clay - Soft Bristle Artist ToolsOur score7.4/10
- 12pcs Ceramic Glaze Brush Set, Pottery Glaze Brushes Acrylic Watercolor Paint Brushes Glaze Fan Brushes for Pottery ArtOur score7.0/10
- Glaze Brushes 14PCS Pottery Art Painting Tools Pottery Brush DIY Ceramics Design Glazed Coloring Painting Ceramic Painting BrushesOur score6.5/10
Dipping Glazes
- AMACO Low Fire Liquid Dipping Glaze, Clear DC-10, 1 Gallon JarOur score8.4/10
- Mayco Crystal Clear Dipping Glaze, GallonOur score8.1/10
- Penguin Pottery - Clear Glaze - Low Fire Glaze Cone 06-04 for Low Fire Clay (1 Pint)Our score7.8/10
- AMACO LG-11 Lead Free Liquid Gloss Glaze, Opaque White, GallonOur score7.4/10
Wax Resist
- Penguin Pottery Ceramic Wax Resist for Pottery Glaze, Clay Glaze, Slip Clay - Alternative to Latex Resist (1 Pint | 473 ml)Our score8.6/10
- WAN2TLK 500ml Ceramic Wax Resist for Pottery Glaze, Clay Glaze, Slip Clay - Use with Underglazes in Pottery KilnOur score8.0/10
- Pasler Wax Resist for Pottery Bisque or Greenware, Glaze and Slip Application, 16 fl oz / 473 mlOur score8.0/10
- Premium Wax Resist - Ceramic Supply USA, Water-Based, for Pottery DecorationOur score7.3/10
All 18 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Mayco's Stroke and Coat ceramic glaze kit #1, a set of 12 colors in 2 Fl Oz bottles for decorating.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 12 colors give a full palette for painting pottery designs
- + Stroke and Coat colors stay true and bright after firing
- + 2 Fl Oz bottles let you try many colors without big jars
- - Small bottles empty quickly on large pieces
- - Needs a clear coat for the glossiest finish on some colors
#2Penguin Pottery's ceramic wax resist, 1 Pint (473 ml), an alternative to latex resist for glaze and slip work.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Pint size is economical for waxing bases on a full kiln load
- + Alternative to latex resist, so there is no peeling step needed
- + Pottery-focused brand with clear application guidance
- - Wax cannot be removed once applied except by firing
- - Needs full drying before dipping or glaze may still stick
#3GACDR's 15 Pcs pottery brush set with wool bamboo hake brushes and a storage box for glazing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Wool hake brushes hold heavy glaze loads for even coats
- + Storage box keeps bristles protected and organized
- + 15 Pcs set covers broad glazing to fine detail work
- - Wool brushes need thorough rinsing to prevent glaze buildup
- - Bamboo handles can crack if left soaking
#4AMACO's low fire liquid dipping glaze Clear DC-10 in a 1 Gallon jar, made for quick, even dip glazing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dipping formula coats pieces evenly in seconds
- + 1 Gallon jar is deep enough to dip mugs and small bowls
- + Clear DC-10 suits low fire classroom and hobby ware
- - Low fire only, so it is not for stoneware firings
- - Needs regular stirring to keep solids suspended
#5Mayco's Speckled Stroke and Coat glaze SP231 The Blues in a pint, a speckled blue for decorative pottery.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Speckled finish adds depth and a handmade look to blue ware
- + Stroke and Coat formula brushes on evenly and fires reliably
- + Pint jar is enough for a full set of plates or mugs
- - Speckles vary with application, so tests are recommended
- - Low fire line, so check compatibility with your clay
#6AMACO's LG-10 lead free liquid gloss glaze in clear, a 16 Oz pint for low fire earthenware.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + LG-10 is a classic low fire clear widely used in classrooms
- + Lead free formula is suitable for functional ware when fired correctly
- + Brushable liquid glaze is easy for beginners to apply
- - Low fire only, so it will not mature in stoneware firings
- - Thick coats can look cloudy over dark clay bodies
#7Mayco's Crystal Clear dipping glaze in a Gallon for fast, uniform low fire clear coats.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Crystal Clear finish is bright and glassy over underglaze
- + Dipping version saves time over brushing multiple coats
- + Gallon jar is practical for studios glazing in batches
- - Low fire clear, so mid fire potters need another option
- - Dipping leaves drips that need sponging off the foot
#8AMACO's Celadon C-11 mixing clear transparent gloss glaze, 16 oz. (473 mL), Cone 5-6 for bisque ware.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cone 5-6 clear gloss suits the most common mid fire kilns
- + Mixing clear can be blended with colorants for custom celadons
- + Transparent gloss shows underglaze and clay color beneath
- - Mixing clear is meant for tinting, so plain clears may be simpler
- - Pint jar covers limited ware if dipping rather than brushing
#9WAN2TLK's 500ml ceramic wax resist for keeping glaze, slip and underglaze off feet and design areas before kiln firing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 500ml bottle covers the feet of many pots before glazing
- + Works with glazes, slips and underglazes for layered resist designs
- + Burns away in the kiln, leaving clean unglazed clay behind
- - Brushes must be washed immediately or the wax ruins the bristles
- - Lesser-known brand, so drying time and consistency may vary
#10Pasler's 16 fl oz / 473 ml wax resist for pottery bisque or greenware, used for glaze and slip application.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Works on bisque or greenware, so you can resist slip or glaze stages
- + 16 fl oz bottle lasts through many glazing sessions
- + Handy for mishima and slip resist decoration as well as feet
- - Brand has less studio history than AMACO or Mayco resist
- - Drips of wax on the wrong area are very hard to fix
#11Penguin Pottery's clear low fire glaze, Cone 06-04, in a 1 Pint jar for low fire clay bodies.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cone 06-04 range matches common low fire kiln schedules
- + Clear glaze protects and brightens underglaze designs
- + Pottery-focused brand with clear labeling for beginners
- - 1 Pint jar is small for dipping larger pieces
- - Low fire range will not work on mid fire stoneware
#12Penguin Pottery's Gentoo Series Sky Blue low fire glaze, Cone 06-04, in a 1 Pint jar.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Sky Blue gives a soft, cheerful color on low fire ware
- + Cone 06-04 range fits classroom and hobby kilns
- + Gentoo Series offers matching colors to build a palette
- - Low fire color will not survive stoneware temperatures
- - Color can vary with clay body and application thickness
#13A 10 Pcs pottery glazing brush set with goat hair mop and blending brushes for ceramics and acrylic painting.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Goat hair mop brushes hold lots of glaze for smooth coats
- + Blending brushes help soften underglaze transitions
- + 10 Pcs set covers broad glazing and fine painting
- - Natural hair can shed on the first few uses
- - Rinse and reshape bristles after each use to keep them soft
#14AMACO's LG-11 lead free liquid gloss glaze in opaque white, a Gallon for dipping low fire ware.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Opaque white covers dark or red clay bodies completely
- + Lead free gloss is a safe choice for student functional pieces
- + Gallon quantity is economical for dipping many pieces
- - Opaque finish hides underglaze designs rather than showing them
- - Low fire glaze, so check it suits your clay and kiln
#15AMACO's high fire zinc-free clear gloss glaze in a pint for stoneware and porcelain firings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Zinc-free formula avoids color shifts with some underglazes and oxides
- + High fire clear gloss gives a durable glassy surface
- + AMACO's consistent formulation is trusted in schools and studios
- - Confirm the cone range matches your kiln before glazing
- - Pint size is small for dipping multiple pieces
#16Ceramic Supply USA's premium water-based wax resist for pottery decoration and keeping glaze off foot rings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Water-based formula cleans up with soap and water
- + Premium resist gives crisp edges for decorative patterns
- + Useful for both feet waxing and layered resist designs
- - Check the bottle size against how much resist you need
- - Water-based wax takes a little longer to dry than solvent wax
#17A 12pcs ceramic glaze brush set with fan brushes for pottery glazing, acrylic and watercolor painting.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Fan brushes create soft splatter and texture effects
- + 12pcs set offers flat, round and fan shapes for variety
- + Doubles as a general acrylic and watercolor brush set
- - Synthetic or unknown bristles may not load glaze as well as hake
- - Handles are basic and may chip with frequent washing
#18A 14PCS glaze brush set of pottery art painting tools for DIY ceramics design and glaze coloring.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 8/10
- + 14PCS gives a range of sizes for glazing and details
- + Suited to DIY ceramic painting at home or in class
- + Budget set makes it easy to keep brushes per glaze color
- - Check bristle shapes suit the detail work you plan to do
- - Cheaper brushes may leave streaks in glaze coats
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Pottery Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.