Dilution guide for professional car care chemicals – find out more!

The effectiveness of many car detailing products depends on the concentration of the concentrate used. In some cases, more than one dilution option is available, which can make it tricky to prepare the right working solution. In this post, you’ll learn what a professional car care chemical dilution guide is and how to read it!

A car care chemical dilution guide is an essential tool for standardising the various procedures that make up auto detailing. Its purpose is not only to ensure consistent, repeatable results, but also to maximise the economy of using concentrates.

Unlike expensive RTU (ready-to-use) products, professional chemical concentrates allow you to prepare your own working solutions. This can significantly reduce costs — a single concentrate is enough for dozens of applications. That’s what makes professional car wash products so efficient and cost-effective.

Professional car care chemicals in concentrate form require precise dosing. Guessing quantities by eye leads to ineffective cleaning, paint damage, or wasted product. A dilution guide eliminates these issues by providing exact ratios in a simple format: the amount of concentrate in millilitres per litre of water.

The dilution guide should always be based on the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) and the product label with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

How to correctly read and calculate dilution ratios (1:X)?

Working solutions should always be prepared according to the instructions on the product packaging. Dilution ratios are typically expressed in the following format:

1:X = 1 part product to X parts water

giving a total of X+1 parts of working solution. To calculate the mixing ratio for a given bottle size, use the following formula:

bottle volume / (1 + X)

Example: for a 1:20 ratio and a 1000 ml bottle, the calculation is as follows:

1000 / (1+20) = 1000 / 21 ≈ 47.6 ml of concentrate, with the remainder being water (952.4 ml).

Please note: percentage concentration is not the same as a volumetric ratio!

Percentage concentration expresses the mass or volume of a substance per 100 parts of solution (e.g. 10% means 10 ml of substance in 100 ml of solution). A volumetric ratio (1:X) refers to simple volume proportions.

Example: 0.25% corresponds roughly to a 1:400 ratio (1 part concentrate to 400 parts water), because 1/(1+400) ≈ 0.0025, or 0.25%.

How to prepare a working solution from a concentrate — step by step

When preparing a working solution from a concentrate, it’s important not only to measure the ingredients accurately, but above all to follow proper chemical handling safety practices.

What you’ll need:

• Distilled or demineralised water.
• Nitrile gloves.
• A measuring jug (ml and l).
• An application container.

Preparing the solution:

1. Safety first – put on nitrile gloves; work in a well-ventilated area; avoid contact with skin and eyes.
2. Water – demineralised or distilled water at room temperature is ideal; fill the measuring bottle to 80–90% of its capacity; always add water first, then the concentrate — this prevents excessive foaming and splashing.
3. Dosing – calculate the ratio using the formula: volume / (1+X); add the measured concentrate.
4. Mixing – cap the bottle and shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds to blend the ingredients evenly.
5. Labelling and use – label the bottle clearly (product name, dilution ratio, date); shake again before use.

After washing your car, it’s worth applying a paint protection product.

What are the recommended dilution ratios for APC, snow foam, and car shampoo?

Professional car care products often perform differently depending on the dilution used. The recommended ratios for APC, snow foam, and car shampoo vary according to the level of soiling and the type of surface being cleaned.

APC (All Purpose Cleaner), e.g. AMBER, is a versatile cleaner whose strength depends on the dilution ratio. The more diluted it is, the safer but less powerful it becomes. It works well alongside and as a substitute for specialist products such as car interior care products.

Snow foam (prewash), e.g. CARNELIAN, is used during the pre-wash stage. It’s worth noting that the actual concentration reaching the paintwork differs from what goes into the reservoir. When used with a pressure washer lance, the solution is typically mixed at around 1:10–1:20 in the bottle, but is further diluted by the machine, so the concentration hitting the paint is approximately 1:50–1:200. This means the chemical action of the foam is milder than it might appear. With a manual foam lance, there is no additional dilution, so stronger ratios are used — typically around 1:3–1:10.

Car shampoo, e.g. TOURMALINE and ALEXANDRITE, is applied after rinsing off the snow foam, during the main hand wash stage. It provides the necessary lubrication, minimising the risk of inflicting swirl marks and wash scratches on the paintwork.

Recommended dilution ratios for APC, snow foam, and car shampoo

These are not the only products used when washing a car. They are complemented by Tire & Wheel Cleaners such as AMETHYST and OLIVINE, as well as dedicated glass cleaning products.

Precise chemical dosing in detailing is made easier by:

• a dilution calculator, such as apps like Dilution Calculator, which automatically work out the correct ratios,
• a graduated bottle — allows you to quickly measure out both water and concentrate,
• a measuring jug — offers greater accuracy for larger volumes,
• a syringe — ideal for measuring small quantities.

Professional detailers often equip their workshops with specialist dispensing equipment, such as manual dosing pumps or even advanced chemical dosing systems.

Application tools also play an important role, including:

• foam cannon,
• pressure washer snow foam lance,
• trigger sprayer for APC or prewash products.

These accessories also affect the final concentration reaching the surface, which is why accurately measuring your concentrate before application is critical for both cleaning effectiveness and safety.

What are the risks of using the wrong concentration?

Using the wrong concentration can not only reduce cleaning effectiveness, but also cause damage. It’s particularly important to match the dilution ratio to the level and type of soiling, as well as to choose a product with the appropriate pH level (alkaline or acidic).

• Too concentrated – poses a significant risk, especially with acidic and alkaline products; can cause permanent surface damage including discolouration, paint dulling, and etching; risk of skin irritation or even chemical burns; surfactants may behave unpredictably (e.g. excessively aggressive action).
• Too diluted – ineffective cleaning; dirt is not dissolved, requiring repeated washing passes or more physical agitation, which increases the risk of swirl marks and scratches; wasteful use of product.

Tip: it’s always better to start with a weaker solution and gradually increase the concentration only when necessary.

It’s also worth remembering that chemical handling safety is a key aspect of detailing. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, when working with chemical products.