How do you dilute concentrates the right way?

Ratios like 1:10, 1:20, 1:50 — what do they mean, and how do you know how much concentrate and water you really need?

One of the most common questions about detailing chemicals is simple:

"How much soap should I pour in?"

In practice, there's no one universal ratio. The concentration depends on the product itself, how dirty the surface is, the application method and the surface you're about to clean. Let's break it down with real examples.

First things first — how to calculate a ratio

When you mix a working solution, start with the volume of the container you're mixing it in. For example, if you're using a 1 L (33.8 fl oz) pump sprayer, the finished solution shouldn't exceed the tank's volume.

Keep in mind: 1:10 means one part concentrate and ten parts water. But that doesn't always mean the final volume will be exactly 1 L (33.8 fl oz).

For example:

80 ml (2.7 fl oz) of concentrate + 800 ml (27.1 fl oz) of water = 880 ml (29.8 fl oz) of working solution.So first you pick the concentration you need, then you calculate how much of each component goes into your specific container.

What does the concentration depend on?

The same product can be used at different concentrations. It comes down to:

1. the application method
2. how dirty the surface is
3. the surface

A foam cannon usually calls for one concentration, a trigger sprayer for another, and a contact wash for a much weaker solution. Let's look at a few examples.

1:10, 1:15, 1:30 — how much concentrate and water do you add to get a working solution?

It all depends on the product, how you apply it, how dirty the surface is and the surface itself. And one important note: below we calculate the ratios for 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution. How do you calculate the ratio?

A 1:10 ratio means 1 part concentrate and 10 parts water.To get 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution:45.5 ml (1.5 fl oz) concentrate + 454.5 ml (15.4 fl oz) water.

Acid Citrus

Acid Citrus — an acidic car wash soap Foam Heroes for tough dirt, first of all mineral deposits, road grime and other contaminants that a regular car wash soap can't handle.

1. Contact wash in a bucket. Range: 1:200–1:250.

Per 10 L (2.6 gal) of water:

• 1:250 — 40 ml (1.4 fl oz) Acid Citrus
• 1:200 — 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) Acid Citrus

So the working range is 40–50 ml (1.4–1.7 fl oz) per 10 L (2.6 gal) of water. For regular washing — 1:250. If you need a stronger mix — 1:200.

2. Foam cannon. Range 1:5–1:12.

Calculated for 1 L (33.8 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution:

• 1:12 — 77 ml (2.6 fl oz) Acid Citrus + 923 ml (31.2 fl oz) water
• 1:5 — 167 ml (5.6 fl oz) Acid Citrus + 833 ml (28.2 fl oz) water

So the working range is: 77–167 ml (2.6–5.6 fl oz) of concentrate per 1 L (33.8 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution.

Here's how I calculate it:

• at 1:12 that's 13 parts total → 1000 ÷ 13 = 77 ml (2.6 fl oz) of concentrate.
• at 1:5 that's 6 parts total → 1000 ÷ 6 = 167 ml (5.6 fl oz) of concentrate.

3. Pump sprayer. Range 1:20–1:40.

Per 1 L (33.8 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution:

• 1:40 — 24 ml (0.8 fl oz) Acid Citrus + 976 ml (33 fl oz) water
• 1:20 — 48 ml (1.6 fl oz) Acid Citrus + 952 ml (32.2 fl oz) water

So the working range is: 24–48 ml (0.8–1.6 fl oz) of concentrate per 1 L (33.8 fl oz) of ready-to-use solution.

Same math:

• 1:40 → 1000 ÷ 41 = 24.4 ml (0.8 fl oz) of concentrate.
• 1:20 → 1000 ÷ 21 = 47.6 ml (1.6 fl oz) of concentrate.

Chuck NoRinse

Chuck NoRinse — a concentrated ceramic rinseless wash soap. You can use it not only for a rinseless wash, but also as a clay lubricant and as a quick detailer.

1.Rinseless wash. Working dilution 1:250–1:500. This is the main way to use it.

Per 10 L (2.6 gal) of water:

• 1:500 — 20 ml (0.7 fl oz) Chuck NoRinse
• 1:250 — 40 ml (1.4 fl oz) Chuck NoRinse

Per 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) of water:

• 1:500 — 1 ml (0 fl oz) Chuck NoRinse
• 1:250 — 2 ml (0.1 fl oz) Chuck NoRinse

For regular washing you can use a weaker dilution. If you need the product to work harder, bump the concentration up to 1:250.

2. Clay lube. For spot claying, use a 1:60–1:70 dilution.

Per 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) of water:

• 1:70 — 7 ml (0.2 fl oz)
• 1:60 — 8.3 ml (0.3 fl oz)

This mix gives the clay the slip it needs across the surface.

3. Quick Detailer. To use Chuck NoRinse as a Quick Detailer, go with a 1:100 dilution.

Per 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) of water:

• 5 ml (0.2 fl oz) Chuck NoRinse.

• Rinseless wash: 1:250–1:500
• Clay lube: 1:60–1:70
• Quick Detailer: 1:100

WRAP-UP

The main rule: first figure out the job, the surface and how you'll apply it, then pick the concentration, and only then work out how much water and concentrate you need.

And always account for the real volume of your container so the finished mix doesn't overflow the tank.