What's the big deal with beading??

[Ringwraith]

It seems folks always point to how good the water beads to show how great a wax is. I don't get it, water beads the same on my truck no matter what product is on it. It also beads after I've used DC1 to clean the paint. Wouldn't DC1 clean off all the wax?? Why is beading so important any ways? Wouldn't it be better if the water sheeted??

Cheers
Sean

[Slats]

Re: What's the big deal with beading??

I think sheeting would be better because then you wouldn't have to worry about water beads sitting on your paint and forming water spots (from acid rain or minerals in the water). However, when the paint is well-protected by wax it creates a high surface tension which causes the water to bead.

[Murr1525]

Re: What's the big deal with beading??

Well, DC#1 will clean the paint leaving nothing behind, and thus the water will bead as well.

Several of Meguiars waxes are meant to sheet, but it really comes down to how the water is applied. A wax that beads will sheet if it rains hard enough, and a wax that sheets will bead in light rain.

[cornflake_81]

Re: What's the big deal with beading??

It all has to do with adhesion and cohesion. Since most waxes and sealants are considered hydrophobic, they promote cohesion more than adhesion. In a sense, since the water won't stick to the car, it will pile up on itself. Or, as I like to believe, its magic. Wax fairies. Carnuba elves. Leave beaded water under your pillow at night and they'll leave you a quarter.

[sneek]

Re: What's the big deal with beading??

Well, DC#1 will clean the paint leaving nothing behind, and thus the water will bead as well.

Several of Meguiars waxes are meant to sheet, but it really comes down to how the water is applied. A wax that beads will sheet if it rains hard enough, and a wax that sheets will bead in light rain.

whats no fun is when water beads...sometimes and sheets sometimes! I have had M21 sheet water, but lately it has been beading when I want it to sheet.

Today it was -14C but it was bad yesterday and the day before when it was -43C with wind chill! If water beads in your garage then it is going to freeze instantly when you leave your garage!

for those people who don't know what -43 is like, imagine this. fill your 5 gallon bucket with room temperature water, go out side and throw the water in the air. The water will turn to ice well before it hits the ground!... its only going to get colder! aka -43C without wind chill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: What's the big deal with beading??

for those people who don't know what -43 is like, imagine this. fill your 5 gallon bucket with room temperature water, go out side and throw the water in the air. The water will turn to ice well before it hits the ground!... its only going to get colder! aka -43C without wind chill

OMG!!! That's the equivalent of -45.4 degree Fahrenheit!!! And to think we're having a bit of a cold snap here in SoCal yet we're still ..... I can't believe I'm going to type this..........100 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than you are!!!

/threadjack