PUSH Install Gel vs. Baby Shampoo for Tint & PPF
Baby shampoo is the cheapest slip solution on the market and it's what most installers learned on. It's also the #1 source of warranty callbacks. Here's how it stacks up against a real install gel.
| Feature | PUSH | Baby Shampoo |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance / dye | None | Yes (both) |
| Residue under cured film | None at correct ratio | Visible haze at 60-90 days |
| Cost per gallon mixed | ~$0.42 | ~$0.25 |
| Working time on ceramic | 25-40% longer | Baseline |
| Foam control | Low-foam formulation | High foam, traps micro-bubbles |
| Documented PPF ratio | Yes | No (improvised) |
| Hard water tolerance | Tolerant | Mineral spotting common |
| Customer-facing risk | Pro-grade | Hard to explain to a customer |
The verdict
Baby shampoo wins on raw cost per gallon. PUSH wins on every metric that affects callbacks, customer perception, and shop reputation. For a 2-bay shop the math is simple — one prevented callback covers a month of concentrate.