Rainy Day Test

Does rain 'bead' on your car?

A simple rainy day test to see how well your car's finish is protected from the Midwest weather is to see if the water will 'bead' on the surface. Your car's paint is microscopically like a sponge. It expands and contracts in the heat and can soak up to 2-liters of water when it rains. So what happens after it gets absorbed?

If your paint finish is not protected by a wax or sealant, rain will soak into the tiny pores of your paint along with any contaminants in it. This means any salt or grime on your car as well as any acids and chemicals in the rain water will find a new home within the paint and degrade the finish faster. This can cause permanent etching and water spots on the paint surface and speed up the oxidation, which is a dulling of the paint surface. All of these paint issues can be fixed with detailing, however it is better to protect your paint with a proper wax or sealant layer.

A synthetic polymer paint sealant (TS Detailing uses Meguiar's #21 highlighting their Hydrophobic Polymer Technology™ which I guess means it's afraid of water?? Silly marketing execs...) will chemically bond to the paint surface and fill those pores preventing the possible introduction of any contaminants into your paint or clear coat. If your vehicles surface is properly protected from the elements, then rain water will bead up and roll off. Is your paint surface beading? Guess where that water and dirt is going if it's not.

I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone that has been reading and keeping up with my blog. I'm trying to get out some fun, interesting, and useful facts about detailing and car washing in general. Please show that you appreciate these insights by commenting and replying to my blog or posting on Facebook! For those taking the time to read all the way to the end, welcome to secret discount #2 - Rejuvenation Detail for only $75 (normally $95)! Good until the end of April; add $10 for oversized vehicles. Just mention the blog when making an appointment. Shhhhh!