Given some of the broad ranges you see mentioned regarding many sealants and waxes durability, some say product X lasts a week or two, some say a couple of months, I was wondering what each of us considers to be the end of life point for a wax or sealant. When the beading changes from tight to larger droplets? when beading stops all together? When you no longer have that just waxed shine? I'm not really looking for what the "right" answer is, just curious as to whether it's being defined differently by different people at different times. I know that some of the variations in observed durability could be from many other factors (temp, garaged, rain, washing, etc.) but am still curious as to what people mean when they say product X only lasted 2 months.
For me, it's when the beading stops completely, ie: how water acts when paint is stripped bare from any protection.
As long as the paint is clean, water will bead...it doesn't mean protection is there... already been there...
Still no solution to the question... I would also like to know what the definition of durability is... In each persons opinion, of course.
See I don't agree with this (not saying I'm right just don't really agree) because I have had vehicles with no wax or sealant at all on them. I wash them and clay them so I know the paint is clean but water will not bead up on the paint. The water just lays there and if you try to blow it off with a leaf blower it is a futile effort because there is no surface tension for the water to flow on. Water needs surface tension to bead and wax gives it the surface tension it needs. I go by the droplets getting larger and less uniform. That means that there is not as much surface tension as there was before so you know the LSP is wearing off. Just my opinion.
Yes, I would have to agree with Wolf on this one as well. It's funny because the question is simply but there are so many answeres it's crasy. What I mean is that everyone will have there own opinion that's what I'm refering too.
I go by feel to be honest. And then look. Sounds dumb I know. You can't always just go by water beads etc...A clean doesn't always mean a protected car. So many clients have brought me their car saying its so clean etc...And I'm like, let me be the judge of that one thank you. But what wolf said makes sense as well. Nice points.
Hi guys, my first post here in DB. I have been very interested on this topic ever since Meguiar release their Ultimate QD. Many have noticed that after applying the UQD, water will bead up very nicely but as a QD it does not provide much protection to the paint work. So my question is, with such products in the market, can we still say water beads = protection ?
Durability: [: able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration] Nearly all wax and sealant products exhibit water beading or sheeting initially (in fact so does a clean paint surface without an applied protection) this is due solely to surface tension, once the protection breaks down (abrasion from water, road dirt/grime and other airborne pollutants) it will cause a reduction in the surface tension and the beading will revert to its former level If your goal is maximum protection, don't use water beading/sheeting as an indicator; while its true that it is a visual indicator that a wax / sealant previously applied is still present it does not guarantee that it’s actually providing protection. Beading on a paint surface is aesthetically pleasant, and many people equate beading with protection; there is a long standing myth “that as long as a paint surface maintains beading it’s being protected from the elements” (much like the myth that “the more soap produces suds the better the cleaning effect”) Does Product Durability = Beading / Sheeting? - Does Product Durability = Beading / Sheeting? - Detail University - Auto Detailing Forum
Lots of intereesting ideas on the subject for sure and it's easy to see why we get such a wide range of answers when we ask how durable is product x. I wish more people would include their definition of durabability when the review products and say things like, "I got 2 months of protection out of it" - just so we know what they mean. If one person reviews a product and says 3 months of durability, but they mean that for 3 months there was no degradatation at all, and someone else reviews a different product and says 5 months of durability, but they mean until there was NO beading, many will be led to believe (perhaps erroneously) that the second product lasts longer when it may not. Thanks to everyone for chiming in, keep them coming!
This may sound weird but to me, it is how the water hits the paint while i am washing....great protection shows water scattering in all directions....and sheds it easily after the water ceases to flow...it doesnt pool. that is a big thing with me...pooling to me shows the water is not sliding on anything (wax layer) and has met either a patch of contamination...or bare clear coat....that is just my take though This as many other things in detailing is subjective....the definition of durability itself is subjective (already mentioned)....i change out LSP so often durability isnt really an issue with me but if one wants wax on all the time...why wait for the durability to expire?
I would have to define durability as, the waters reaction in relation to the initial wash after applying the LSP. Meaning for those of us that use 845IW. You know how that water beads that first wash after applying. Once the water starts to react different is when I consider the durability is starting to go. That's my definition. Sure it's still protecting, but I think the protection is vulnerable to the elements. So it's time to re-apply.
