CARPRO HydrO2 Foam: Ultimate Guide to Application and Benefits

Posted by Corey Carruth & James Rogers on 23rd Jul 2024

CARPRO HydrO2 Foam: Ultimate Guide to Application and Benefits

Today, we're diving deep into CARPRO HydrO2 Foam. This has been my favorite sealant since its release MANY years ago. Its ease of application, incredible gloss, and lasting protection are what keep me coming back to using it on Tesla and Saturn Sky. I cannot recommend it enough to our customers. Hopefully this guide will give you all the information you need to determine if the product is right for you. As always, if you have questions, my service team is a call away.

Topics Covered

We're going to cover the following:

  1. Durability of HydrO2 Foam.
  2. Comparison with other CARPRO washes like Iron Snow Soap, Reset, and Descale.
  3. Application three application methods.
    1. Foam Cannon
    2. Wash Bucket
    3. Mitt Application
  4. What to do if you leave it on the paint too long/ fix a high spot.

Hope you guys enjoy!

How to Apply CARPRO HydrO2 Foam.

There are three different ways that one can apply HydrO2 Foam but I wanted to cover the wash mitt method first. This is my favorite method of applying HydrO2 Foam, especially if you have a ceramic-coated vehicle. This method gives you the most control and in my opinion is the safest way to apply the product out of all three.

Application:

  • You want a wet, clean mitt. I like using the Microfiber Madness Deli Pad XL.
  • Add about three squirts of HydrO2 Foam on the pad.
  • Apply it just like soap: put it on your wet mitt and rub it into the paint.
  • Work product into a panel at a time or a 5’x 5’ section.
  • After that, rinse it off immediately.
  • Repeat that process until your vehicle is completely covered in HydrO2 Foam 

Final Tips:

  • If the car is super filthy, I HIGHLY recommend
  • Apply HydrO2 Foam to one panel at a time and rinse immediately to avoid drying.

I love this method because it gives you a lot of control over the application, especially on a ceramic-coated vehicle. The foam clings to the paint, allowing you to ensure even coverage and avoid missing any spots.

Foam Cannon Method

Next up is the foam cannon, which is the easiest method to use. If you don't have a coated vehicle, this method is the most popular. It’s applied exactly as you would expect. Add the product to your foam cannon in the appropriate dilution ratio, spray on the vehicle, and then rinse.

Dilution:

  • Mix HydrO2 Foam with water at a ratio of 1:9. You can adjust based on your foam cannon settings.

Application:

  • Spray the foam on. If the car is dirty, use a mitt while the soap is on the surface, then rinse.
  • If the car is already washed, you can skip the mitt and just spray and rinse.

Regardless of the method you use, rinse the soap off right away, just like we talked about with the wash pad method.

This method is great for quickly covering large areas and getting an even application. It’s also the most convenient if you’re short on time or just want a hassle-free experience.

Bucket Method

The final method is putting the soap in a bucket. This is my least favorite method because you either dilute your HydrO2 Foam too much or use a lot of it.

Mixing:

  • Add half a gallon of water and 4-8 squirts of HydrO2 Foam in a bucket.
  • Dip your mitt in the solution, apply it to the car, and rinse in a separate bucket.

You can use this method on the entire exterior surface, including glass. Just make sure to rinse the foam off right away.

This method can be more labor-intensive, and there’s a higher risk of overusing the product, but it can be effective for a thorough clean and seal, especially if you’re working on a particularly dirty vehicle.

Handling High Spots

Now, let's talk about what to do if you leave HydrO2 Foam on the paint too long or if it dries. If you are unsure of what a high spot is, it can be noted as a discoloration, or a rainbow effect on parts of the vehicle. This is caused when there is more product in one area that was not rinsed off effectively. It its very undesirable and can take a few weeks to wear away if not attended to immediately. If you need some visuals on this, there is a great section in our HydrO2 Foam Video that shows you exactly what to look for.

Immediate Fix:

  • Wipe it off with a quick detailer if addressed within 20 minutes.
  • If it doesn't come off, reapply HydrO2 Foam with a mitt and rinse off immediately.

Delayed Fix:

  • For older high spots, a light polish may be necessary.

It’s crucial to act quickly if you notice any high spots. The sooner you address them, the easier they are to fix. Using a quick detailer or reapplying HydrO2 Foam usually does the trick.

Comparison with Other Hydro Products

HydrO2 Foam is a sealant that makes your paint glossy and beady. It connects with the paint and helps clean the surface clean and protected from the elements. It’s no ceramic coating but for how easy it is to apply its incredible the longevity and durability it has. There are a few types of HydrO2 Products on the market to clarify which are which, we divided them down below.

  • HydrO2 Light and Concentrate: These are basically the same product; one is a concentrate and the other is ready to use. They are spray-on, rinse-off applications without soap.
  • HydrO2 Foam: Combines soap and sealant, ideal for ceramic-coated vehicles.

HydrO2 Foam gives you more control over the application, especially on ceramic-coated cars, because the foam clings to the surface longer, allowing for a more thorough and even coating.

Comparison with Other CARPRO Soaps

HydrO2 Foam stands out because it combines maintenance washing with sealing in one step. It’s like getting the best of both worlds—a decent cleaning action and a durable sealant in one go. Still if your vehicle is any dirtier than a real light amount of dirt, I will ALWAYS recommend washing it with CARPRO Reset first. I just don’t like the idea of putting a sealant on a dirty car.

Durability

HydrO2 Foam offers impressive durability, withstanding various environmental conditions. However, prolonged sun exposure may reduce its lifespan. Expect it to last 1-3 months under harsh conditions and potentially longer under milder ones. We have seen it last MUCH longer than that, boasting very rare cases of up to a year, but that is of course on very well-maintained cars that are not driven as often as a daily driver.

In general, you can expect HydrO2 Foam to provide excellent protection and gloss for your vehicle. Whether you’re dealing with harsh winter conditions or intense summer heat, this product stands up remarkably well.

Conclusion

HydO2 Foam is an excellent sealant choice for anyone looking to protect their ride. Ceramic coated, sealed, or even unprotected rides can all benefit from HydrO2 Foam with its versatility allowing you to apply it how its needed too. Easy, safe, long lasting, durable, and strong. You cannot go wrong with HydrO2 Foam.

Thanks for reading. If you are interested in HydrO2 Foam you can find it here.

If you need some visuals, my team helped me make an incredible video here.