Water Bead

[Davc]

I was testing 2 types of wax with different carnauba content percentage. Single layer, cured 24 hour.

 

Carnauba percentage wise, one is more than 50%, one is lower than 50%. The wax with higher carnauba content is 8-10 times the price of the one with less carnauba.

 

From the pictures we can see that the bead in the high carnauba% wax is 'taller' and also 'rounder'.

 

I think I'll use the higher end wax when I have time to prep the car nicely every 3-4 months.

 

Then every 3 weeks just top it up with the more reasonably priced wax. After every wash can use detailer.

 

I don't like 'sheeting', must bead.

[Davc]

File name didn't came out. So from left to right, start from the top row:

 

Pic 1 is lower Carnauba, bead shape not that round.

Pic 2 is higher Carnauba, bead shape rounder.

Pic 3 is lower Carnabu, yes bead is also not bad but...look at pic 4

Pic 4 is higher Carnabua, the bead is very 'tall' in dimension.

[Windchoco]

Used to be in the coating industry. Observation of the bead can only determine, the surface tension between the water and the film/coating film it is on. but your film surface = more hydrophilic or more hydrophobic, confirm directly translates to better protection meh? not so sure about that...

 

Impt thing is after leaving it for a period of time, whether the water penetrates the film right?

[Mlee]

Unless you are sure is Hydrophobic. Not sure if this applies to paint/laquer coating?

Edited March 3, 2009 by Mlee

[Davc]

Hi Windchoco, so you know how to measure the surface tension.... the contact angle very good ya?

 

I want to say that I don't mean the higher carnauba is a better buy because it's 10x the price. I'm just saying that they are different and I want to use both. Even the best wax needs quick detailer to maintain that look.

 

So if a wax is more hydrophobic, less water will stay on the car. Many times after entering the sheltered car park, after I parked the car it's already quite dry because the water bead off, left with those really tiny 1-2mm diameter bead. With less rain water on the surface, less chance of paintwork damaged by acid rain.

 

I don't know how to check about how much protection is still on the car or whether it's penetrated. I just top it up when I see beading reduced. But when I have time I still put sealant underneath the wax as 'insurance'.

 

End of the day, I like it because it looks better in the rain and after rain.

[Windchoco]

 

Haha.. Just wondering.. cos the resistance of a protective film in general i tink still got many other factors...

 

Noob at car detailing.. intending to send my new ride to CS-2 for sealant, got something to protect jiu suan le.. That is the easy way out right? not intending to wax and all that... hehe

[Booboon]

can u share with us what are the waxes used?

[Davc]

I cannot say which brand. I can only say one is 30+% carnauba, another one is 50+% carnauba.

[Booboon]

pm me can?

[Babyt]

did u drop the same amt of water onto the surface??? i dont think u can conclude based on the shape and size of the droplet leh.

 

normally professionals as we see on the web, used water to spray day after day, the good wax will still manage to repel water after some times.

[Davc]

It was raining, so the car got wet, then I took the pictures.

 

If they are the same type of liquid, and same size, yes I can use the shape to compare. Can go read up about contact angle if you are interested.