Chemical Guys HydroBlitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax Review: So Smooth
For over 20 years, I've managed to wash and detail my own cars, whether for weekly maintenance or getting them ready for a show. In my early years, I bought any and all car care products I could afford from my local Pep Boys, which made me familiar with the different brands available on the market. This trend continued into my 20s and 30s, where I began to develop brand loyalty and learned what to look for when choosing a product. Initially, it was always exciting when something new hit the market, but over time, it became clear that many products were similar in performance and price.
I still remember the day Meguiar's introduced me to its Hybrid Ceramic Wax. Ceramic coating had quickly gained popularity, but it was still relatively expensive. For many, it wasn't worth the price, but here was an off-the-shelf product promising similar results. I was honestly very surprised by the results when I first used Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, and it quickly became one of my favorite products.
Since my introduction to hybrid ceramic waxes, there has been an abundance of offerings from a wide variety of manufacturers. Some companies have even started introducing graphene products, but a discussion on their effectiveness should be saved for another day. Today, our focus is on Chemical Guys' newest offering, the HydroBlitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax. I'll be honest; when Chemical Guys offered to send me a sample along with the rest of its hybrid ceramic product lineup, I didn't have high expectations. I thought, "With so many hybrid ceramic spray waxes on the market, what can Chemical Guys possibly do differently?"
Now, I do love some of Chemical Guys' products. I have recommended the company's Mr. Pink as my favorite car wash soap for years now, and its foam gun is very effective when I don't want to take out the pressure washer. But still, after all these years, why introduce a hybrid ceramic spray wax now? The answer is pretty straightforward. Chemical Guys may be a bit late to the market, but it might just have the best offering available.
We began by testing the HydroSuds Ceramic Car Wash Soap, which could become my favorite after a few more thorough evaluations. It has a purple shade, a grape-like scent, and suds up very well. It produced a thick layer of foam, though we used a bit more than usual in our foam cannon. Nevertheless, it provided a slick surface, making it effortless to prep the car for the HydroBlitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax. Once we were done washing and drying the car, it was time to see what the HydroBlitz could do.
I began with the hood, and like other quality spray waxes, found it very easy to apply and remove. One of the biggest benefits of these spray waxes is how easy they are to apply, not requiring the same amount of elbow grease as traditional waxes. Once I was done applying it to the hood, I was shocked—yes, shocked—by the finish. The hood's surface was so smooth and so slick, my jaded self was almost speechless. It might sound like an exaggeration, but that was my genuine reaction. After applying it to the rest of my vehicle, I stepped back and can confidently say it has never shined like this or felt this smooth, even when I was using Adam's Polishes' Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating.
Having a smooth, shiny finish is only part of the equation when it comes to judging a spray wax. How well does it actually protect the car is the more important question. In February, heavy storms hit Southern California, and I was again shocked by how well the car looked after driving in torrential rain. The HydroBlitz did such a fantastic job getting the water off the vehicle that it didn't even need a wash. Instead, I just used the HydroSpeed Ceramic Quick Detailer to touch it up.
Although I haven't fully tested Chemical Guys' other Hydro products, the HydroView glass cleaner was somewhat streaky upon application, requiring extra effort to get clean windows during application. Although it effectively made the glass hydrophobic in the rain, I believe there are better, easier-to-apply products in this category. The HydroInterior effectively cleaned my dash, door panels, steering wheel, and center console—and I do like the matte finish. However, only time will tell whether it provides good protection against the elements.
If you seek a spray wax that offers a brilliant shine and finish without the effort required for traditional liquid or paste waxes, HydroBlitz is now my top recommendation. It's the first product in years that has truly impressed me. A 16-ounce bottle is available for $24.99.
Disclaimer: Chemical Guys did provide all of the products seen in this review for evaluation. The company, however, was not allowed to view this article prior to publishing and had no influence on the review.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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