CHEMICAL GUYS Hydro Suds & Hydro Charge

• Product: Hydro Suds/Hydro Charge.
• Manufacturer: CHEMICAL GUYS
• Packaging: 473ml.

Chemical Guys, the American giant, is also entering the race for ceramic-based products (SiO2), with two key references: Hydro Suds (shampoo) and Hydro Charge (Quick Wax). These two products allow you to simultaneously protect, clean and maintain the protection on your vehicle.

In this test, we chose to use Hydro Charge as a Spray Wax, i.e. as a maintenance product for an existing ceramic protection. We will also see how to apply Hydro Charge as a pure protection layer for greater durability.


Using Hydro Suds:

Hydro Suds Ceramic Car Wash Soap (more easily referred to as Hydro Suds) is a maintenance shampoo for an existing ceramic protection. Do not expect this shampoo to have the same degreasing action as its cousin Citrus Wash&Gloss, for example.

For maintenance use, you will need to measure 1oz of product (approximately 35ml) in a 10L bucket, making it an economical product in use.

Of course, a pre-wash should be carried out beforehand.



You can immediately notice how extremely liquid this shampoo is, which is completely different from the other shampoos in the range. So be careful when pouring your shampoo into your measuring container, especially if you are used to other Chemical Guys shampoos.

Another thing to note is the scent. A very pleasant fragrance, candy-like. One might have feared an unpleasant chemical smell linked to the very nature of the shampoo. Not at all — Hydro Suds smells great and this contributes greatly to the pleasure of washing your car.

Once well diluted in the bucket, Chemical Guys was not lying: Hydro Suds is very foamy, almost too much so.
As a reminder, foam plays no part in the cleaning action on a vehicle — it is a natural chemical saturation reaction, more or less pronounced depending on the molecules used. However, for some people, foam is essential (psychological aspect).



When applied to the bodywork, the shampoo's lubrication is good, sufficient, but not extreme either. The degreasing action on insects on the front end is very satisfying, better than expected.



On the treated bonnet, during rinsing, no notable hydrophobic action was observed. Hydro Suds is also not a shampoo that will provide very significant protection like a true ceramic Quick Wax. It should be seen more as a shampoo that re-boosts an existing ceramic layer.



A second application technique (not mentioned by the manufacturer) is to apply directly onto the wash mitt once your vehicle has already been cleaned conventionally as described above.

You would then pour a few drops of shampoo directly onto your damp mitt and treat one panel at a time before rinsing one final time.




The ceramic charge will be greater, as will the lubrication and the foaming effect.
This technique should be reserved for when weather conditions allow, meaning no direct sunlight or temperatures that are too hot, otherwise you risk getting streaks that are quite difficult to remove.



Finally, one last possible use of Hydro Suds, recommended by Chemical Guys this time, is the final application with a foam cannon.

Once your vehicle has been washed with Hydro Suds using the classic two-bucket method, you can finish by applying the shampoo in the foam cannon to allow for a greater gain in protection.

To do this, you will need to dilute approximately 50ml of shampoo in your foam lance reservoir (1L) and then spray onto a wet vehicle.



On contact, the film is fairly thin but sufficient to cover the car. Treat the entire car at once and then proceed to rinse without delay.





In conclusion on this shampoo, one can acknowledge its very good cleaning power, even though it is only a regenerating maintenance shampoo, a pleasant scent and a very appreciable versatility of use. The pure protection aspect remains to be demonstrated, however. The finish is very glossy, in line with expectations. Hydro Suds is ultimately an excellent ceramic maintenance shampoo to remain molecularly compatible with your originally applied ceramic treatment.


Using Hydro Charge:

Hydro Charge Ceramic Spray Coating (once again more commonly referred to as Hydro Charge) is the product to apply next to protect your vehicle in a much more effective way.
Two uses are in fact offered with Hydro Charge. The first as a standalone protection layer, to be applied with a microfibre pad.
The second as a Spray Wax (quick protection) to considerably re-boost an existing ceramic protection.



Both application techniques must be performed on a dry surface, once your vehicle has been washed at a minimum. Ideally, if you opt for the applicator pad technique for greater protection durability, preparation of your surface will be essential (decontamination and finishing polish at a minimum).

Application with a microfibre pad will take longer but will allow the maximum amount of product to penetrate into your paintwork. This way you will benefit from more durable protection.

Spray Hydro Charge onto a new microfibre pad and spread it in crossed linear movements. A dwell time of at least 30 seconds is required, although a good minute is preferable.





The first thing to note about this product is the very unpleasant, very chemical smell. As pleasant as the Hydro Suds shampoo smells, Hydro Charge is the complete opposite. However, this is often the case with ceramic-based Spray Waxes from competing brands, but it is especially disappointing when you have opened the bottle of Hydro Suds just a few minutes before...

On the other hand, the great plus of this product is the wiping. Very easy, albeit a little greasy, it leaves no streaks when wiped, offering impressive gloss and a very pleasant paint feel.

Second application technique: as a traditional spray wax. Here, you simply spray Hydro Charge onto the surface, treating one panel at a time, and wipe directly with a microfibre cloth.



A faster method (less than 10 minutes to treat your car) but also less durable over time, in the sense that most of the product will be wiped away rather than having penetrated into the paintwork.



Applying Hydro Charge using both application techniques is of course also possible on your wheels to make future cleaning easier.

Ultimately, the finish of the car (initially untreated) is excellent. The colour comes out beautifully.



General conclusion:

The Hydro range from Chemical Guys delivers on its promises overall. Easy-to-use products, no surprises, with results that meet the expectations of a ceramic product. Keep in mind, however, that Hydro Charge will never replace a true ceramic treatment, even though Chemical Guys claims 1 year of protection (very, even overly optimistic in our opinion). This duo of products will nevertheless allow you to easily and quickly protect your car, or to maintain your existing protection.
The scent of Hydro Charge could have been improved, as it is quite unpleasant.

A must-try for all fans of next-generation ceramic treatments!

Advantages

+ Ease of use!
+ Scent (Hydro Suds)!
+ Economical.
+ Results.


Disadvantages 

- Scent (Hydro Charge).
- Price (Hydro Charge).
- Shampoo protection?