803Twon302

When I wash my car should the water bead up or sheet off? Is one better than the other? Only reason I ask is this, last time I washed my car some spots beaded up and others the water sheets off.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Sheet off I think. Usually bead up means there is something holding the water to the surface. You want to get to beads of water quickly to prevent spotting.

My

jihan3

Sheets off is preferred to prevent spotting. The Mr. Clean AutoDry touchless car wash product actually has an ingredient in the soap to help sheet off water for this very purpose.

When the paint is protected with (most?) waxes/sealants, the water beads up pretty good. Dirt on the car can also make the water sheet a bit. It sounds to me like your car is losing some of its wax. This happens a lot from bird droppings, for example.

Even though sheeting is better from a water spotting perspective, I love the "bajillion tiny drops of water all over the car when it rains" look

lokman

Depends on how the water hits the car too. If it's stray spray or mist, then it will likely bead when it settles on the car. Sheeting is preferable because it will make it easier to dry (as most of the water will have sheeted off on its own). An easy way to do this when washing by hand is to take the hose, remove the end and just run the water down the car.

darth62

It it is freshly waxed, water will bead.

tehCOW

here is a trick. u probably know it already. use water directly from the hose without any attachment or sprayer. rise the car from top to bottom and the water will sheet off easily for a quick dry job with your towels.

803Twon302

Thanks all.