The Chemical Guys HydroCharge is a SiO2-based ceramic spray coating that you apply in a few minutes and that gives up to twelve months of protection with a deep, wet gloss. You spray it onto a microfiber towel or applicator pad, wipe it evenly over cool, clean paint, let it dwell for about thirty seconds and buff it to a mirror finish. You use it as standalone protection or as a booster over an existing ceramic coating to refresh the water repellency.
What HydroCharge does
HydroCharge combines the ease of a spray with the properties of ceramic. The SiO2 formula forms a thin, hard layer that makes water bead off in tight droplets, lets dirt stick less and protects the paint against UV and the elements. The result is a clear, deep gloss that detailers call the candy shine. Because the layer is so slick, dirt rinses off more easily at the next wash and the car stays clean for longer.
How to use it
Wash the car and dry it. For the best result, clay the paint and polish away visible scratches first, so the coating bonds to a clean, smooth surface. Work on cool paint in the shade, out of direct sunlight.
Spray HydroCharge onto a clean microfiber towel or an applicator pad, not directly onto paint in the sun. A few sprays per panel is enough; you only need a thin layer.
Wipe the product out evenly over one panel at a time, in a thin, even layer. Work panel by panel so you keep an overview and nothing dries on before you buff.
Let it dwell for about thirty seconds, then buff off with a second, clean microfiber towel to a clear gloss. In warm or humid conditions buff after as little as fifteen seconds; in cold conditions wait up to forty-five seconds.
Standalone or as a booster
You can use HydroCharge in two ways. As standalone protection you lay it on clean, uncoated paint and keep a ceramic layer for up to about twelve months. As a booster you lay it over an existing ceramic coating or sealant to refresh the beading and gloss; you do that every few washes, for example. That easily extends the top condition of your protection without reapplying a full coating. Want to know where a spray coating fits between wax, sealant and a full coating, read the guide on ceramic coatings and the difference per protection level.
Let the protection cure
After applying HydroCharge, keep the car dry and out of the elements for two to three hours so the layer can bond. The water-repellent effect then keeps improving for up to twenty-four hours, depending on the weather. So plan the application for a moment when the car can then sit inside or under a shelter for a while, to get the most out of the coating.
What you can use HydroCharge on
HydroCharge works on nearly all hard exterior surfaces of the car. Besides the paint you also use it on glass, wheels, plastic trim and metal or chrome. That way you lay an even, water-repellent layer over the whole exterior with one product and water beads off the same way everywhere. On glass the beading also gives you better visibility in the rain.
Still torn between a spray coating, a wax or a full coating? See the trade-off in the guide on choosing wax, sealant or ceramic coating. And if you want to get started right away, you will find the Chemical Guys HydroCharge in the shop.