Dilution Calculator
Work out exactly how much concentrate and water to mix for any dilution ratio. Pick a common container size or enter your own volume, choose a product preset or type in a custom ratio, and get the exact amount of product and water to use.
E.g. 1:10 means 1 part product to 10 parts water.
Common containers
Your mix
2.91 oz
Concentrate
29.09 oz
Water
Total mixed volume: 32 oz
Mix 2.91 oz of product with 29.09 oz of water.
Ratios shown for preset products come from manufacturer guidance (see each product's source link). Always follow the current label on your bottle — formulations and recommended ratios can change.
How Dilution Ratios Work
Detailing concentrates are sold strong on purpose: shipping a small, concentrated bottle is cheaper than shipping mostly water, and it lets you mix a weaker solution for light jobs and a stronger one for heavy soil from the same bottle. A dilution ratio written as 1:10 means 1 part product combined with 10 parts water, for 11 total parts of finished solution.
It's easy to mix up ratio and percentage, but they're not quite the same thing. A 1:10 ratio is 1 part in 11 total parts, which is about 9% concentration by volume — not 10%. The gap grows at stronger ratios: 1:4 is 20% by parts count but actually 1 in 5 total parts, or 20% concentration (that one happens to match), while 1:1 ("half and half") is 50% concentration. When in doubt, use the ratio exactly as the label states it rather than converting to a percentage yourself.
Why over-concentrating can cause damage
Mixing a product stronger than the label recommends doesn't just waste money. Wash soaps and APCs mixed too strong can leave soapy residue or streaking and strip wax, sealant, or ceramic coating faster than expected. Acidic wheel cleaners and iron removers are the bigger risk: left too concentrated or to dwell too long, they can etch wheel finishes, chrome, anodized trim, or painted brake calipers. Diluting weaker than recommended is a much safer mistake than diluting stronger — if you're unsure, start weak and add more product only if needed.
Related Guides
FAQ
What does a 1:10 dilution ratio mean?
A 1:10 ratio means 1 part concentrated product mixed with 10 parts water, for 11 total parts. For example, 1:10 scaled to a 32 oz bottle is about 2.9 oz of product and 29.1 oz of water.
Is dilution ratio the same as percentage concentration?
No. A 1:10 ratio means 1 part product per 10 parts water (11 parts total), which works out to roughly 9% concentration by volume — not 10%. The ratio describes parts of product to parts of water, while percentage describes product's share of the total mixed solution.
What happens if I use too much concentrate?
Over-concentrating a detailing chemical doesn't just waste product — it can leave residue or streaking, strip wax or sealant faster than intended, and on acidic wheel cleaners or iron removers, increase the risk of etching trim, chrome, or anodized wheel finishes if left to dwell too long. Always follow the manufacturer's label ratio for the surface and task.
Can I reuse the same dilution ratio for every task?
Not always. Many concentrates publish different ratios for different jobs — for example, a lighter ratio for a quick maintenance wash and a stronger one for heavy soil or degreasing. Check which use case matches your job before mixing.
Where do the preset ratios on this page come from?
Each preset ratio is taken from the manufacturer's own product page, label, or technical data sheet, with a link to the source. Formulations and recommended ratios can change, so always double-check the current label on your bottle before mixing.