A clear glaze is a transparent glass coat that seals the clay and shows whatever sits under it: bare clay, underglaze painting, slip or carving. The best clear glaze for you depends first on your firing cone, then on what is under it. Below are seven clears from AMACO, Mayco and Spectrum, sorted by cone, with the coat counts, zinc content and labels each maker publishes. This is a research-based guide: we compare maker product pages, line pages and color charts, and we say so where makers disagree or leave a figure out.
- Best overall (cone 6): Mayco SW-001 Stoneware Clear (one to two coats, gloss, Dinnerware Safe mark, pint, gallon or 10 lb dry)
- Best zinc-free for cone 5 to 10: AMACO HF-9 Zinc-Free Clear (AMACO's pick for green underglazes)
- Best stiff clear for crisp underglaze lines: AMACO C-11 Mixing Clear (zinc free, stays put)
- Best value mid-range: Spectrum 1100 Transparent (the clear Spectrum names for covering its underglazes)
- Best for dipping: AMACO DL-10 Gloss Clear (10 lb dry mix, zinc free)
- Best low-fire clear over underglaze: AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent (cone 05)
- Best low-fire clear under luster: Mayco S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing (cone 06, listed by Mayco as luster compatible)
Clear glaze comparison table
| Clear glaze | Firing range (maker) | Finish | Zinc | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayco SW-001 Stoneware Clear | Cone 6 ox, cone 10 reduction | Gloss | Not stated (Mayco sells SW-004 as its zinc-free clear) | Pint, gallon, 10 lb dry | Check price |
| AMACO HF-9 Zinc-Free Clear | Cone 5 to 10 (AMACO blog) | Gloss | Zinc free | Pint, gallon, 25 lb dry | Check price |
| AMACO C-11 Mixing Clear | Cone 5 to 6 (Celadon line) | Stiff gloss | Zinc free | Pint, gallon, 10 lb dry | Check price |
| Spectrum 1100 Transparent | Cone 4/6 (product page), cone 5 (chart) | Transparent | Not published | Pint, gallon, 10 lb, 50 lb | Check price |
| AMACO DL-10 Gloss Clear | Mid to high fire (AMACO blog) | Gloss | Zinc free | 10 lb dry mix | Check price |
| AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent | Cone 05 (line page) | Gloss | Not stated | Pint, gallon | Check price |
| Mayco S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing | Cone 06 ox | Gloss | Not stated | Pint, gallon | Check price |
Pints of brushing clear usually sit in a $15 to $35 band at US dealers in October 2026, with gallons and dry mix costing less per firing; check the live price before you order.
1. Mayco SW-001 Stoneware Clear: best overall for cone 6
SW-001 is the clear most cone 6 home potters can use without fuss. Mayco describes it as a brilliantly clear, smooth gloss and says one to two brushing coats are all that is needed on stoneware and porcelain. That low coat count matters: clear glaze clouds and crazes more when it goes on thick, and a glaze that only needs one or two coats is easier to keep thin with a brush.
Mayco lists it for cone 6 oxidation and cone 10 reduction, and its note for cone 10 is simply "No change", so it also suits a community studio that fires both. The product page carries Mayco's Dinnerware Safe mark and the ACMI seal. It comes as a pint, a gallon, or a 10 lb dry mix sold as SD-001 for anyone who wants to dip. Mayco also names it as the clear to use over its Fundamentals underglazes at cone 6 and cone 10.
The one warning Mayco prints is about thickness: heavy application may increase crazing, so apply less glaze or fewer coats. Mayco does not say whether SW-001 contains zinc; it sells SW-004 as its zinc-free clear, which has its own page: zinc-free clear glaze.
- Firing: cone 6 oxidation, cone 10 reduction (no change at cone 10)
- Coats: one to two brushing coats
- Finish: clear gloss
- Label: Dinnerware Safe mark, ACMI seal
- Sizes: pint, gallon, 10 lb dry (SD-001)
Pros
- Only one to two coats
- Same result at cone 6 and cone 10
- Liquid or dry
Cons
- Heavy coats can craze
- Zinc content not published, so chrome-green underglazes are better under SW-004
Who should skip it: Low-fire potters working at cone 06 to 05, and anyone painting mostly green underglaze who wants a clear sold as zinc free.
2. AMACO HF-9 Zinc-Free Clear: best zinc-free clear for cone 5 to 10
Zinc in a clear can shift some underglaze colors, especially chrome greens, toward brown. AMACO's clear-glaze guide recommends HF-9 for underglaze decoration for exactly that reason and calls out greens such as V-333 Avocado. The product page adds that most underglazes, stains and coloring oxides show their best color under it.
It is not perfect for every color. AMACO lists V-315 Peach, V-316 Light Pink and V-323 Salmon as colors that may look muted under HF-9, so test those before a big piece. On firing range, AMACO's blog lists HF-9 at cone 5 to 10, while the HF line page gives glaze fire temperatures for cone 5 (2,167°F, 1,186°C) and cone 6 (2,232°F, 1,222°C) and a bisque of cone 04; the product page text gives no cone. If you fire cone 10, run a test tile first. The HF line page calls the series dinnerware safe; the product page shows its marks only as icons.
HF-9 comes in pints and gallons for brushing and as a 25 lb dry mix for a dipping bucket. AMACO warns that dry dipping glazes can be hard to layer, so test before glazing whole pieces.
- Firing: cone 5 to 10 per AMACO's blog; line page lists cone 5 and 6
- Finish: gloss, zinc free
- May mute: V-315 Peach, V-316 Light Pink, V-323 Salmon (AMACO)
- Sizes: pint, gallon, 25 lb dry mix
Pros
- Zinc free for green underglazes
- Brushing or dipping sizes
- One clear for mid and high fire
Cons
- Coat count not published
- Cone range differs between AMACO pages
- Mutes some pinks
Who should skip it: Low-fire potters, and anyone whose work is mostly pink and peach underglaze.
3. AMACO C-11 Mixing Clear: best stiff clear for crisp underglaze lines
C-11 is sold in AMACO's Celadon line as a diluter for Celadon colors, but AMACO describes it as a stiff gloss zinc-free glaze and says it works well as a clear over underglazes. Stiff means it moves little in the firing, so fine underglaze linework, sgraffito and underglaze transfers stay sharp instead of blurring.
The Celadon line fires at cone 5 to 6. When you layer C-11 with Celadons, AMACO's guide suggests two coats for a watercolor look; as a plain clear, the product page gives no coat count, so start with two thin coats on a test tile. Like HF-9, C-11 may mute V-315 Peach, V-316 Light Pink and V-323 Salmon, per AMACO.
It is sold as a pint, a gallon, and a 10 lb dry mix. If you already own Celadons, C-11 doubles as the base for lighter tints; AMACO covers those mixes in its Celadon guidance.
- Firing: cone 5 to 6 (Celadon line)
- Finish: stiff gloss, zinc free
- May mute: V-315, V-316, V-323 (AMACO)
- Sizes: pint, gallon, 10 lb dry mix
Pros
- Keeps linework sharp
- Zinc free
- Doubles as a Celadon diluter
Cons
- No coat count for plain clear use
- Mutes some pink and peach underglazes
Who should skip it: Anyone firing cone 10 or low fire, and potters who want a fluid clear that pools in carving.
4. Spectrum 1100 Transparent: best value mid-range clear
Spectrum's 1100 series is its mid-range stoneware line, and 1100 Transparent is the clear the company names on its color chart for covering underglazes, one-strokes and similar colors: the chart says those must be covered with "a dinnerware safe clear glaze such as Spectrum 1100" and fired to the glaze's temperature. The chart header lists the line as lead free.
The firing range is where Spectrum's own sources differ. The product page puts the 1100 series at cone 4/6 mid-range stoneware, while the color chart PDF lists 1100 Transparent at cone 5. Most cone 6 potters use it at cone 5 or 6, but a test tile in your kiln settles it. Spectrum does not publish a coat count or finish note on the product page, so start with two thin brushed coats and adjust.
The appeal is price per pint and choice of sizes: pint, gallon, 10 lb and 50 lb dry. Spectrum sells separate clears for its low-fire lines.
- Firing: cone 4/6 (product page) or cone 5 (color chart)
- Finish: transparent; gloss level not published
- Label: named by Spectrum as a dinnerware safe clear on its chart; line listed as lead free
- Sizes: pint, gallon, 10 lb, 50 lb
Pros
- Low price per pint
- Dry sizes for dipping
- Spectrum's named clear for its underglazes
Cons
- Cone labels differ between Spectrum sources
- No coat count published
Who should skip it: Low-fire potters (Spectrum sells separate low-fire clears) and anyone who wants a maker-printed coat count.
5. AMACO DL-10 Gloss Clear: best dry dipping clear
Dipping is the fastest way to get an even clear coat on mugs and bowls, and DL-10 is built for it. It ships as a 10 lb dry mix that you stir into water; AMACO's clear-glaze guide says one quick dip gives a coating, and the product page gives a recommended specific gravity of 1.51 while noting you do not have to measure it to mix the bucket the first time.
AMACO describes DL-10 as a zinc-free transparent glaze, and its guide suggests it for green underglazes for that reason. The product page text does not print a cone range; the guide places it with AMACO's mid-to-high-fire clears, so confirm your cone with a test tile before glazing a full kiln load.
Because you mix it from powder, treat the dry bag with care. AMACO's California Prop 65 warning names respirable crystalline silica and titanium dioxide. Mix outdoors or with a NIOSH-approved respirator, add powder to water gently, and clean spills wet. Once mixed, keep the bucket lidded; water loss pushes specific gravity up and the coat gets thicker. For more on dipping technique, see how to glaze pottery.
- Firing: mid to high fire per AMACO's guide; cone not printed on the product page
- Finish: gloss, zinc free
- Mixing: recommended specific gravity 1.51
- Size: 10 lb dry mix
Pros
- Even coat in one dip
- Lowest cost per pot for big batches
- Zinc free
Cons
- Dry mix needs dust precautions
- You need a bucket deep enough to dip
- Cone range not printed on the product page
Who should skip it: Potters who glaze a few pieces a month, have no space for a bucket, or fire low fire.
6. AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent: best low-fire clear over underglaze
If you fire earthenware or work at cone 05, LG-10 is AMACO's standard clear. AMACO calls it a brilliant, glossy transparent glaze, and the Low Fire Gloss line page says to glaze fire to cone 05 (1,888°F, 1,031°C) on bisque fired to cone 04 (1,945°F, 1,063°C). AMACO's clear-glaze guide shows it over LUG underglazes.
AMACO's own sources give two ranges. The clear-glaze guide says LG-10 works from cone 06 to cone 1 and can bubble or blister at cone 5 or higher; the line page says cone 05. Treat cone 05 as the target and never push it to cone 6. The line page also advises slow firing for lead-free glazes. For more on low-fire work, see low fire glazes.
LG-10 comes in pints and gallons. The product page does not print a coat count, so test two to three thin coats. The line page describes the glossy surfaces as suited to utilitarian pottery; the product page shows its marks only as icons, so read the jar label.
- Firing: cone 05 (line page); cone 06 to 1 (AMACO guide)
- Bisque: cone 04
- Finish: glossy transparent
- Sizes: pint, gallon
Pros
- AMACO's standard low-fire clear
- Works over Velvet and LUG
- Widely stocked
Cons
- Can bubble or blister at cone 5 and up
- Coat count not published
Who should skip it: Anyone firing cone 6 stoneware or porcelain.
7. Mayco S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing: best low-fire clear under luster
S-2101 is Mayco's crystal clear for cone 06 oxidation. Mayco describes a clean, clear surface and gloss finish and lists it as luster compatible, which makes it a good base if you plan to add gold or mother of pearl in a third firing (see gold glaze for ceramics). The page carries Mayco's Dinnerware Safe mark and ACMI seal.
Mayco also shows it fired to cone 6 oxidation with "no color change", but warns that blistering and pinholing can occur there, so it is a low-fire clear first. One more warning from Mayco is specific: S-2101 may not suit all red clays, because a bluish haze can appear after firing. If you work on red earthenware, test it or choose a different clear.
The product name says brushing, while the description refers to Mayco's dipping clears, and Mayco does not publish a coat count; brush two to three even coats on a test tile and check clarity. Sizes listed are pint and gallon (the data table also lists a 3 gallon size). Mayco's Clear One Brushing (NT-BR) is a fast-drying cone 06 gloss alternative with the same marks.
- Firing: cone 06 oxidation; cone 6 possible with blistering risk
- Finish: clear gloss, luster compatible
- Label: Dinnerware Safe mark, ACMI seal
- Sizes: pint, gallon
Pros
- Luster compatible
- Very clear gloss at cone 06
- Dinnerware Safe mark
Cons
- Bluish haze possible on some red clays
- Coat count not published
Who should skip it: Cone 6 potters and anyone working only on red earthenware without time to test.
What clear glaze does on pottery
Clear glaze for pottery has three jobs. It seals the surface so the pot is easier to clean, it makes underglaze colors look saturated and wet instead of dry and chalky, and it lets the clay body itself show. Speckled stoneware, porcelain and carved surfaces often look best under nothing more than a clear.
A clear is a glaze, not a sealer you add later, so it must melt at the same cone as your clay. Clears are sold by cone band: cone 06 to 05 for low fire, cone 5 to 6 for mid fire, and cone 10 for high fire. If you are still choosing a firing range, the cone 6 glazes and cone 10 glazes guides cover the colored glazes that sit alongside these clears.
A gloss clear also changes how colors read. Satin and matte clears soften the surface but can make black and dark underglazes look faded, as AMACO's guide warns. If you want that softer look, see matte glaze for satin and matte clears such as AMACO SM-10.
How to choose a clear glaze for ceramics
Match the cone first
Buy a clear rated for the cone you actually fire. A low-fire clear pushed to cone 6 can run, blister or pinhole, as Mayco notes for S-2101. A cone 6 clear fired at cone 05 will not melt and stays rough and cloudy. If your kiln fires a little hot or cold, witness cones on each shelf tell you before you blame the glaze; the pottery cone chart explains what each cone means.
Gloss, satin or matte
Gloss clears give the clearest view of underglaze and the easiest surface to clean. Satin clears like AMACO SM-10 look calmer but can mute darks, and AMACO suggests one to two even coats to avoid milky spots.
Zinc and underglaze color
Zinc helps many clears melt, but it can turn chrome greens brown. If your work leans on green underglaze, choose a clear sold as zinc free, such as HF-9, C-11 or DL-10. AMACO also notes the reverse case: its zinc-bearing HF-10 shows V-388 Radiant Red and V-391 Intense Yellow better than other clears, so zinc is not always bad.
Stiff or fluid
A stiff clear (C-11) holds fine lines and transfers in place. A more fluid clear pools in carving and gives a glassier surface but can blur detail and run toward the foot if applied thick.
Brushing, dipping or dry mix
Pints are easiest for a few pieces a month. If you glaze a lot of mugs, a dipping bucket made from dry mix (SD-001, HF-9 25 lb, C-11 10 lb, DL-10) gives a more even coat and costs less per pot. Dry mix means silica dust: wear a NIOSH-approved respirator while mixing and wet-clean the area.
Your clay color
On white stoneware and porcelain, a good clear looks like nothing at all. On red and dark bodies, some clears haze or look gray when thick. Mayco warns about a bluish haze with S-2101 on some red clays, so test any clear on your exact clay.
Labels for food surfaces
Makers print marks such as Dinnerware Safe or AP, and AMACO's guide says all AMACO clears are food safe and lead free. Those labels describe the glaze tested as the maker directs. Your own mug's safety depends on firing to the stated cone, the clay fit and your application, so no label is a promise about your pot. The food safe glaze guide covers how to test.
Clear glaze pottery tips: getting it truly clear
Most clear glaze problems come from underfiring, thick application or recipe chemistry. Thin coats fix more problems than any product swap.
- Bisque to the cone your glaze maker lists (cone 04 for AMACO's lines), so the ware absorbs glaze evenly.
- Wipe bisque with a damp sponge to remove dust and hand oils, then let it dry.
- Stir the clear fully; solids settle in the jar and a thin top layer goes on watery.
- Brush the number of coats the maker gives (one to two for SW-001), letting each dry until it loses its sheen. For dipping, keep the bucket near the maker's specific gravity (1.51 for DL-10) and dip quickly; AMACO says one quick dip gives a coating.
- Wax or wipe the foot and fire to the maker's cone with a witness cone in the kiln.
Why clear glaze turns cloudy or milky
A milky clear usually means one of three things. The kiln did not reach full temperature in that spot, so unmelted particles scatter light; a witness cone tells you. The coat is too thick and traps tiny bubbles. Or the clear and the clay do not suit each other, such as a low-fire clear on a mid-fire body. Thinner coats, a correct cone and a test on your clay solve most cases. Fine cracks in the glass are a different fault called crazing; the glaze crazing guide covers causes and fixes.
Safety notes
Liquid glazes are safer to handle than dry mix, but both contain silica once dry. Wet-wipe your bench and floor instead of sweeping, wear a NIOSH-approved respirator when mixing dry glaze, and read each maker's SDS before use. Kilns get hot on the outside and need the clearance and ventilation the kiln maker specifies. Never promise anyone that a glaze is food safe on your pots; makers' labels apply to their own tests, and your results depend on firing and testing.
Sources: Mayco product pages for SW-001 Stoneware Clear, S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing, NT-BR Clear One Brushing and UG-058 Harvest Gold (Fundamentals clear advice); AMACO product pages for HF-09 Zinc-Free Clear, C-11 Mixing Clear, DL-10 Gloss Clear and LG-10 Clear Transparent; AMACO HF and Low Fire Gloss line pages; AMACO blog "Choosing a Clear Glaze"; Spectrum 1100 Transparent product page and 1100 color chart PDF; Ceramics Monthly Techno File "Clear Glaze Clarity"; The Pottery Wheel article on cloudy clear glaze. Specs checked October 2026.