I've think I've achieved water beading...Now what?

[1337392]

Hey guys!

After trying various combinations of Meguiar's products for my car, I think I've settled on primarily using the Mirror Bright line with the appropriate Ultimate products when necessary. As this is my daily driver, I just want it to look it's best given the circumstances.

After doing a Gold class pre-soak and a hand wash with the Mirror Bright shampoo, I used my DA power tool to apply a thin layer of Mirror Bright Polishing Wax. After covering the car and letting it cure overnight, I put down a thin layer of Ultimate Liquid Wax by hand the next day, also letting it cure covered overnight. The next day, I wiped it down with the Mirror Bright Detail spray. To me, it looks fantastic. Feel free to comment on my process if you noticed that I've left something out or want to make a suggestion.

Anyway, we've had 3 days at least of heavy rain here in D.C. Car still looks great. I suppose that the wax application went as supposed to be, this is how the car looked a few hours or more after the last rain.



Now...I've done some reading around here on this forum about what to do when it rains, whether you've driven the car or not, etc. I've noticed that the water will remain on the car for as long as 15 hours after a rain. I went out with a stack of supreme shine towels and my Ultimate Quick Detailer and dried the car. I hadn't driven it. Good call? With a coat of wax, should I let the water evaporate on its own? Can I use my Water Magnet with UQD or UWAWA after a rain?

[Spazzz]

Re: I've think I've achieved water beading...Now what?

you're obsessed.

The only thing to observe would be what else besides rain might be on the car. Sure getting the water off is great.
When my car gets rained on when sitting I usually have a puddle ring of dirt( dust)on my spoiler where water pools after it evaporates.

It might be better to blow it off or just deal until your next wash. Just the way I approach it.

[The Guz]

Re: I've think I've achieved water beading...Now what?

The only thing to observe would be what else besides rain might be on the car. Sure getting the water off is great.
When my car gets rained on when sitting I usually have a puddle ring of dirt( dust)on my spoiler where water pools after it evaporates.

It might be better to blow it off or just deal until your next wash. Just the way I approach it.

I would agree with this. Especially if the paint is already dirty. I would not want to wipe off water droplets that contain dirt particles within it.

I would add that even a rinseless wash would work in this situation.

[1337392]

Re: I've think I've achieved water beading...Now what?

you're obsessed.

Touche.

I have decided that if I HAVE driven the car, I will give it a quick handwash. If I HAVEN'T driven it, I'll make use of the pre-soak nozzle I got from Amazon to use my shampoo with a little water pressure to rinse it off and dry as normal. I can't be arsed to ever use that many microfiber towels again anyway.

It just almost seems counter productive to wax. After a rain, I look out to the cars that were on the street that clearly don't have any kind of protection and the paint is already dry. I would love that if after a rain water would just roll off, but alas, it's not meant to be. Car care is definitely a labor of love.