Water beading on brand new clear coat

[prr]

Just got a horribly peeled car back from Maaco (peeling was before it got painted, not after!). Looks better than I have ever seen it.

My question is about water beading. We had rains recently and I went out to look at the paint. I was very surprised to see lots of beading on it, more in some areas than others, but still a lot more than I expected. I called Maaco and they told me that there might have been something in the clear coat to cause this (their clear coat is made by Sherwin Williams; I would have gotten a mid-level quality, not their best but not their worst), but the guy didn't sound sure about that.

Whenever I have gone a year or so without waxing, I would still see a lot of beading, and I interpreted that to mean that there was still a coat of wax on top of the paint. Now, I'm not so sure about that.

The next time I wash a car, is there any way to know if there really still is a layer of wax protecting the paint? I would like to take care of both my cars, so I'd like to know about that. Is there some other quick & dirty test I can give, to know if I need to be waxing more often or not?

If it matters, I have both Ultimate Liquid Wax and Gold Class Carnuba. Since buying the ULW, I have simply kept the GC Carnuba as a reserve in case I run out of the ULW, but I'm willing to use either one, whichever would protect the paint better/longer.

[prr]

Re: Water beading on brand new clear coat

Just found this link:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?6825-The-Squeak-Test-How-to-test-for-the-presence-of-wax&highlight=squeak+test+Mike+Phillips

Sounds easy enough, although I generally like to know before washing, if I'll also have to wax. But still, a nice easy way to see.

[prr]

Re: Water beading on brand new clear coat

OK,now I'm confused.
In the thread that I just linked to, the first advice was replaced with this:
"For the record, these days we teach a slightly different approach to determining if your wax or sealant is in need of reapplication - if your quick detail spray becomes a bit more difficult to wipe off, that's a good indication that it's getting thin and is due for a fresh application."

OK I have a bottle, but I rarely use it, so I wouldn't know what this is about. Will the Quick Detail Spray get more sticky, or need a second swipe with the towel, or what?

[The Guz]

Re: Water beading on brand new clear coat

Unprotected paint will still have some beading effect. The body shop could have used a glaze and the beading you are seeing from that.

That is a good tip on the QD. It won't be as slick as the protection wears over time.

[HCAD]

Re: Water beading on brand new clear coat

Water beads are from the lack of friction on the paint surface. In my opinion, I would think a new paint job would absolutely bead water, much like a freshly clayed surface beads water, all impediments have been remove.