CarPro HydrO2 is a revolutionary sealant that allows you to protect paint, glass, metal, plastic, and nearly any other surfaces without wiping, buffing, or rubbing. This touchless sealant is a breeze to use when done correctly, however there are many scenarios that may lead to issues such as streaking. In this article I will discuss some of the more common user mistakes made when using CarPro HydrO2 so that you will be better prepared to use this product properly and have a more enjoyable experience.
Working in Sunlight or on Hot Surfaces
HydrO2 is not designed to be used in direct sunlight, or on any surface that is hot. Your work area needs to be in complete shade, and the panels of your vehicle should be cool to the touch before using HydrO2. This will ensure the product is not drying on the surface before you can rinse it, thus eliminating the risk of streaking in this situation.
Using Too Much Product
One of the best features of HydrO2 is that very little solution (water + product mixture) is required to cover an entire vehicle. On average, only 160mL (or ~5.4oz) of solution is required to cover a 4 door car. There is no benefit to over applying, applying thick, or overlapping areas. A light mist will yield the same amount of protection, and will reduce the chances of streaking as the product will be easier to rinse from the surface. It seems to be a common issue of using way too much product per panel when applying HydrO2. Simply set your spray trigger to a very fine mist setting, and lightly cover the panel you are working on, then immediately rinse. Easy as that!
Allowing Product to Sit for Too Long
HydrO2 is meant to be applied and then immediately rinsed away using a strong stream of water. In ideal conditions, the product should be rinsed from the surface no more than 1 minute after you have started applying the solution to the panel you are working on. Ideal conditions consist of low humidity, moderate temperatures, and a cool surface. Since many of us will be using this product in warmer environments with potentially high humidity, it is important to remember to rinse the solution from the surface right away. I recommend working on only one panel at a time, beginning with the horizontal panels (roof, then hood, then trunk) and then working your way around the vertical panels. Mist a small amount of product onto the panel, and immediately rinse away (usually within 30 seconds from the time you started applying). There is no reason to let the product dwell on the surface. Also, remember to thoroughly soak the panel before application.
Incorrect Dilution of Product with Water
HydrO2 is sold in a concentrated form. The product needs to be diluted with distilled water to create the solution that will be used to spray on your vehicle. The dilution ratio for HydrO2 is 4 parts of distilled water to 1 part of HydrO2 Concentrate. This is very important, as a weaker dilution may yield decreased durability and gloss, while a higher dilution may make the product more difficult to use. It is recommended that you only mix enough solution to use within a short period of time, so do not mix the entire bottle of concentrate if you do not intend on using it right away. Simply mix a small amount before each job, and store the remaining concentrate indoors to help prolong the shelf life.
Dilution Amounts for Common Spray Bottle Sizes (4 Water : 1 HydrO2)
- 8oz Spray Bottle = 6.4 oz Distilled Water : 1.6 oz HydrO2 Concentrate
- 22 oz Spray Bottle = 17.6 oz Distilled Water : 4.4 oz HydrO2 Concentrate
- 32 oz Spray Bottle = 25.6 oz Distilled Water: 6.4 oz HydrO2 Concentrate
*Update (5/23/17): CarPro now recommends diluting 1 part Hydro to 6~10 parts water. This new dilution ratio really helps reduce the risk of streaking/staining and may be a big help to some users who are struggling to enjoy the product.
Not Accounting for Over Spray
Since HydrO2 is applied via spray bottle, it is not possible to be too precise with your application. Consider the scenario of applying HydrO2 to your roof. As you are spraying, there are particles of solution in the air that may miss the roof, and settle on the glass surrounding the roof, or even drift further and land on the hood, a door, or the trunk. Also, if you are applying the solution to your hood, it is highly likely some over spray will land on the fenders, bumper, and glass. You must be aware of any possible over spray areas while you are working, especially if you are working outdoors, and even more so if it is windy. It is a good idea to not only rinse the panel you are working on, but also those that are nearby, to reduce the chances of that over spray causing streaks if it is allowed to dry before you work on that panel.
Now that you are more aware of some common oversights that can lead to a poor experience with HydrO2, you should be prepared to use this product as it was directed and take full advantage of the incredible time savings this product has to offer. HydrO2 can be applied to your entire vehicle (wheels, paint, and glass) in a matter of minutes! There is no rubbing, wiping, or buffing required during application, and once applied, your vehicle will be a breeze to dry off. Simply flood or sheet the majority of water from the surface, and then blow the rest off with your Master Blaster.