Nothing makes a car look worse than shabby, irregular paint. And nothing destroys a car’s appearance quicker or easier than watermarks. More annoyingly, you don’t even need to do anything except leave your car outside and get it caught in an unexpected shower of rain.
Then that water dries, evaporated and leaves disgusting, cheap looking marks all over the paintwork of your car. Marks that, if left for longer than a few days, can build up and become incredibly hard to remove without specialist help.
COMPARISON TABLE
The thing is, it’s incredibly easy to prevent this. A superhydrophobic for cars, applied properly, nips this problem in the bud even before it starts.
See, a coating like this bonds with the paintwork of your car, creating a protective shell over the top of it. This shell is usually scratch and damage resistant, as well as proof to most environmental effects, including, importantly, water.
These coatings work by reducing the surface area of your paintwork, on a micro scale. (Our review of a bit different type water repellent products can be found here). This reduces the surface tension, meaning that water cannot grip to your car. Given nothing to find purchase on but itself, the molecules of the water bead up and run straight off of your car, in a process called the lotus effect.
But what are the best products that work to create a superhydrophobic coating for cars.
Gtechniq C2 liquid crystal sealant
As a pure superhydrophobic coating for cars, you can’t beat this product. It lasts up to 8 months per single application and goes on incredibly simple. >>> Check price on Amazon
Once applied, Gtechniq C2 keeps working and has so many more other benefits. You can keep applying it every few times you wash your car to refresh the coating, and it’s possible to layer coats of this over minor imperfections to help blend and protect your car.
As a hydrophobic coating, it literally can’t be beaten. Working on every part of your car, from the paintwork to the glass and plastics, you can be sure that nothing will be left behind or look dirty. Once treated, water will just fall off of your car in sheets, and it helps to keep your car free of dirt and contaminants, as well.
It’s also pretty reasonably priced, and paired with the time it lasts, you’re getting an excellent deal when you purchase this. If you’re looking for a pure hydrophobic coating for cars, this is our top choice.
Pros
- Lasts up to 8 months
- Extreme repellency
- Anti Bacterial
- Simple & fast application
Cons
- Too expensive to use after every wash
Car Pro Reload Sealant
A new formula for 2015, this hydrophobic coating is designed to work alongside CarPro Cquartz nano protection spray, a product we’ve previously reviewed and absolutely love. >>> Check price on Amazon
Just like you’d expect from the boys at Car Pro, this spray doesn’t disappoint. The finish comes off clear and streak-free, and it’s really easy to apply compared to other products.
The hydrophobic finish is quality, as well. We’ve seen cars treated by this shedding water and looking just as clear weeks later, which is fantastic.
It’s pretty reasonably priced, too. You get a lot for your money, and it’s going to last a long while, so when you fall in love with it after use, (and you will,) you won’t need to worry about picking any up for a long time.
Pros
- Repels dirt and water
- Can also be used on rubber, plastic & glass
- Long-lasting
Cons
- For best results need to use after polish
Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 Optical Select Spray
Boasting fast flash technology for the best streak-free finish possible, Chemical Guys make a hydrophobic spray that’s perfect for the guys among us that don’t have all the time they’d want to spend polishing and detailing their car, so just have to get the job done as quickly as possible.
This spray disappears into paint, plastic, glass, even wheel finished almost instantly, leaving a streak-free, glossy finish that makes your car water repellent for ages on end.
It’s also a detailer, which we found really impressive. Obviously it’s not as good as a dedicated detailing product, but the finish you end up with is impressive, especially considering this is primarily a hydrophobic coating.
Like we said, if you don’t have the time to spend hours going over your car, then this product is the choice. You can clean your car and throw this on in a couple of hours, max, then relax and get back to what’s important to you.
Pros
- Disappears into the surface
- Works at a nano-spec level
- Fast & easy to use
Cons
- Seems to wash away with every car wash
Nanoskin Nano Shock Sealant
A combination of cleanser and wax, Nano Shock by Nanoskin is another great product for those of us who like to get things done efficiently.
It’s a simple one-step system which supposedly requires no polish or wax after you’re done, and still works as a powerful hydrophobic coating. It’s so easy to apply you can treat a whole car in less than half an hour, effortlessly.
Bear in mind Nanoshock can take up to 24 hours to cure after you’re done, so set aside a day before you drive your car, but if you need maximum protection with the minimum time investment, this is a nice pickup. Obviously, you’re never going to get the performance of two separate products with just one, but we definitely weren’t disappointed with the finish.
Pros
- Not requires polishing or waxing
- Cleans & wax your car at the same time
- Fast & easy to apply
Cons
- Spray bottle with spray head not added
Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze M21 Sealant
We love Meguiar’s products, and this hydrophobic sealant is no exception. As a hydrophobic coating for cars, we have absolutely no complaints. Water beads off and leaves any car treated looking shiny and clean for weeks on end.
The major advantage of this product, though, is the effect it has on your paintwork. The mirror glaze part of the name isn’t just a marketing gimmick. It really does bring cars up to a mirror shine with a specially designed synthetic polymer formula that deepens the color of your paintwork as it brings it all up to a factory finish gloss.
It’s also incredibly easy to apply, wiping on effortlessly, with no streaks or industrial polishers needed. If you’re proud of your paint and want the world to see, then this is the best choice.
Pros
- Specially designed synthetic polymer formula
- Creates a flawless finish
- Fast & easy to apply
Cons
- Not entirely reduce swirls
If you’d prefer a wax instead of a sealant, Meguiar also make Meguiar’s Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax, or Meguiar’s G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax, both exceptional waxes that can be applied on top of Meguiar’s mirror glaze for an even better finish.
Meguiar’s X-Press wax lives by that name. In fact, it can actually be applied in direct sunlight on even the hottest summer’s day without curing badly. It’s also made with the same paint enhancing formula as the Mirror Glaze sealant, so your paintwork will end up looking darker, glossier and shinier, especially if you use both products.
Pros
- Produces dark “wet-look” shine
- Not expensive
- Easy to wipe off
Cons
- Attracst the dusts
Inversely, the Ultimate Quik Wax is the simplest thing I’ve ever used. It’s literally a spray bottle that you can squirt wherever it’s needed and works in with so little fuss you’d wonder why you ever spent hours knackering your elbows with all that rubbing traditional wax in.
Again, both of these waxes already work as a superhydrophobic coating for cars, but if you use these products together, you’re guaranteed to get the best result possible. The only reason they aren’t at the top? For the best result you’re going to want to use them all. It’s expensive, but it’s definitely worth it.
Pros
- Works well on all surfaces
- Spray head added
- Provides a spectacular shine
Cons
- For best results waxing is required