What is the difference between water beads and no water beads on car paint?
2 Answers
The difference between having water beads and no water beads on car paint includes the following points: 1. Waterproof performance: Water beads on the car body indicate that the clear coat layer on the surface is intact, providing strong waterproofing. This causes rainwater to instantly contract into beads and slide off, effectively preventing the formation of water stains. The clear coat layer is a solvent-based system, including medium and high solid acrylic resin/melamine resin curing systems. 2. High-temperature resistance: Cars driven or stored outdoors for long periods are prone to paint aging and fading due to sunlight. A paint surface with water beads can reflect some of the light, effectively preventing paint aging.
When washing my car, I observe that water beading on the paint indicates the presence of a hydrophobic coating, such as the wax or sealant I regularly apply, which is still effective. The water forms droplets that roll off, carrying away dirt, allowing the car to dry quickly and preventing water spots. The absence of water beading suggests the coating has worn off, causing water to spread out and trap contaminants, leading to spots and oxidation, which accelerates paint aging. From my experience, a car with water beading stays cleaner in the rain and requires less maintenance, as the rolling droplets reduce the need for frequent washing. Without water beading, it's essential to reapply the coating promptly to avoid long-term exposure that could cause deeper damage. Additionally, the size of the water beads can indicate the strength of the protection—small, uniform beads typically signify high-performance coating products.
