Beading versus sheeting

[SVT Lightning]

Some interesting debate on Autopia about this subject. I prefer water to sheet myself.....one of the many great things about NXT.

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77403

[gb387]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

Originally posted by SVT Lightning
Some interesting debate on Autopia about this subject. I prefer water to sheet myself.....one of the many great things about NXT.

I prefer sheeting as well, minimizes water spots, makes it easier to dry and its just better!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

Originally posted by SVT Lightning
I prefer water to sheet myself.....one of the many great things about NXT.

This is probably why on so many car forums you hear people say NXT is

- simple to use
- offers a great shine
- doesn't last worth a darn


If it's not beading, it's not protecting - this is the mindset of so many people out there and it's been ingrained in their skulls for decades. Trying to change that is extremely difficult. Yet, we enthusiats know that when you're done washing the car you should hit it with a solid stream of water right out of the hose as this promotes a sheeting action that removes a lot of the water from the surface.

Sure, beading looks cool, but ultimately what counts in the looks department is the gloss on a dry car, and the absence of scratches. If sheeting means fewer water spots, easier drying, etc, then it means fewer marks on the surface in the long run. I don't see the bad in that.

[Deaner5]

Now someone please correct me if I'm wrong or this just seems too natural, but when it rains and water beads on say your hood or roof wouldn't that be normal since the rain is in drops and it has no where to go since these are flat surfaces?

Also that coat of wax most of keep on our cars is probably enough protection to prevent anything too harmful from happening to the surface. Plus if you drive at a decent speed most of it will sheet off naturally.

I just think some may be looking into this a little too deep and is not that much of an issue. And this post is not aimed at anyones views or opinions, and is just my opinion, that of the average non-pro detailer who many every now and then has to park in the rain but usually washes fairly soon.

[RCBuddha]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

As long as the water doesn't "cling" or "stick" to the paint, then the LSP is still doing its job. I still have yet to find an LSP from any manufacturer that doesn't make water react like in this video: http://www.noestudios.com/s2ki/washVideo.html

Watch how the water reacts when he is rinsing, I've never seen water come off my paint in "sheets" like when your removing large chunks of snow off your vehicle.

[sneek]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

my paint sheets water in some section and beads in others, but i have been able to get water to sheet off in chunks before, and thats with M21 and gold class.

here are the pics
hood, sheets water quite well

roof sheets water..okay

trunk beads water like crazy

[RCBuddha]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

Sorry Sneek, but I just don't see the sheeting in your pictures.

The closest thing i've found is this thread: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10265

If you watch the water, it seems to collect together, then run off...Beading, if you will...The water isn't "clinging" to the paint.

From this thread on Autopia:http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77050&page=6

[sneek]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

of i guess mine falls under the same category as richards. most of the water seems to gather together and then you get small droplets here and there

one day, ill make a video too

[TrufflePig]

Re: Beading versus sheeting

i don't know but I don't get this beading action with water.

mine comes off in sheets.

maybe i have the wrong definitions of both these two words, but everytime I get caught in the rain it just runs right off and when i get out of the car or it stops, i don't have these beads like in RCBuddha's pics.

so my question is, does it depend on how the paint surface is cured or how you clean it yourself. this is what I do.

wash
clay
paint cleaner
NXT x 2

i have yet to use M21 b/c i can't get my hands on it.