water beading help

[LBeard87]

wanted some of our experts opinions. i washed, clay barred and waxed my car recently with Meguiars Gold car wash, Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit and NXT GEN Tech Wax 2.0. the problem is that after i do all of that, i still don't get very tight water beading. more of the big drops than anything else. im wonder what else i can do. I work at a Luxury Hotel and see all of the Guests BMW's Mercedes, Lexus, Audis with perfect tight beading and water just runs off perfectly and im wondering what im doing wrong.

 

[004Gunner]

It could be the wax itself that you are using. Try a different brand and see if you notice a difference. What color is your runner? You may be leaving some wax residue behind that you can't see. After I wax I always end up missing spots where the wax took longer to harden so it didn't wipe off easily. With black though, I see everything.

 

[LBeard87]

my t4r is silver so that is a definite possibility. after i wax i usually see some spots that have some wax residue but i didn't think it would be as much of a problem.

 

[Scoobs]

I used Megs 105 ( orange LC pad ) and then Megs 205 ( white LC pad ) with a DA. Then put on the NXT 2.0 ( blue LC pad ) with a DA and got great results. Tight water beading, thing shines even when its dirty. Can now see colors in the paint that I couldn't see before.

Also used the 105 and 205 with DA on the headlights and tails, look brand new now. Took the 205 to the instrument cluster with a microfiber towel and the plastic disappeared. Also used the 205 on the scratched up hood deflector and it positively shines now, scratches gone.

 

[J.A.]

Some tips can be found here.

 

[Scoobs]

Good work J.A. Always liked green in a 4R.

 

[ckramos]

nxt is a wax sealant, from which a shine is undeniable...apply some #26 or other Carnauba laced wax on top of it.

After the claying use some 1:1 IsoProphyll Alcohol / Water (IPA) wipedown to remove any 'other' residue prior to adding sealant/wax.

I used #26 about two years ago; I got busy forgot about waxing. My hood still has 'islands' of beady-ness.

 

[rook]

i still don't get very tight water beading. more of the big drops than anything else. im wonder what else i can do.

I'm thinking that the beads are merging together. According to meguiars website this stuff is supposed to bead the water with its "hydrophobic polymer technology" and have it run off. Maybe it is so slick that the water pools up?

I know that pure carnauba wax will create beading, it also creates static and dust but will give you the look ur looking for.

 

[MikesToy]

That's a lotta beads ^ on top. Mine just runs off as if my ride didn't get wet.

 

[T4RUNNER02]

NXT GEN Tech Wax

You will need to top off the NXT GEN Tech Wax to get the beading you want . NXT GEN Tech Wax will not bead the same as a quality carnuba or Collinite. It will be the topper that gets it done for you.

 

[CannondaleMan]

That's a lotta beads ^ on top. Mine just runs off as if my ride didn't get wet.

I have to say the same. I have switched to Zaino Brothers for the past 2 years and I get some very tight water beads for a very long time. I barely needed to was the Runnah this past week, but with Winter coming I wanted to make sure I had coat set on it for the coming Winter.

I never got long-lasting results with Meguiar's though the cars looked great with it, and never really had problems with beading up for a few weeks.

 

[fsnoles]

sounds like you're using the right products... are you washing/waxing in the sun? or in the heat? make sure you let the wax cure for a while before you take it off. also, make sure you use a light touch when removing the wax - the general idea is to leave as much wax on the car as possible without actually seeing it.