Qualities of Coatings vs all others

[MarkD51]

I know such has been discussed in some form or fashion here many times, about the qualities of coatings, and as well the many other types of vehicle protection.

That coatings have some good advantages, such as greater mar resistance, and to chemicals, cleaners, fallout, bird droppings, etc.

But seem to notice still one apparent shortcoming that seems difficult to deal with coatings that plague them, and that is water spotting,

That coatings seem so advantageous on one hand, but yet too, so susceptible to which seems like such a minor issue in which a coating should be able to handle quite easily?

I surely haven't tried every coating on the market to experience the degree of which coatings seem to be deficient of such firsthand.

[FUNX650]

It would take hours upon hours of typing for
me to present my take on why 'Coatings', (most
of which are advertised as being Hydrophobic),
seem to be so susceptible to "water-spotting".

Instead:
I'll just bring up a few talking points.

{Disclaimer:
From my limited studies, I'll say that:
Once the Coatings have cured...Then: for
water-spotting to not occur on Coatings'
surfaces, the following criteria needs to be
met and stay in place (think Lotus plant)}:


•The water beads' contact angle, in relation
with the Coatings' surfaces, will need to be
at, or >140°, as possible.
-This phenomenon of water behavior is known
as being "Superhydrophobic/Self-cleaning".

Note:
-Water beads having contact angles of >90°,
but <140°, may be hydrophobic; but that
does not equate to Coatings being "Self-cleaning".
-"Easier to Clean" would be more apropos.

•The Coating's surface must have sort of
a "rough texture"...it can not be smooth.
-Being rough textured means the Coatings
are kinda matte-like...not clear (or very shiny).


To date...IMHO:
•Optimum came the closest to marketing Coatings
that exhibited the most "Self-cleaning" characteristics.
-Their Coatings' cured-surfaces, when compared to
some other Brands, were not the smoothest feeling;
nor were they the shiniest.

However:
This did not suit the fancy of many,
if not all, of the buying public.
Alas: Optimum acquiesced.

Voila!!:
-More smoothness; be more clear; and have
more shine...became their Coatings mantra.
-Was the "self-cleaning" ability unduly affected?
________________________________________

•To inject a historical footnote:

The principal of "self-cleaning" was discovered
in 1973 by a Botanist that had been studying
this unique feature...exhibited by not only the
Lotus plant...but by at least 300 other plants
as well.

He received a patent for his invention;
and, as a result: he registered the brand
name "Lotus-Effect®".
____________________________________________


Bob

[HUMP DIESEL]

I think the tendency for some to spot is due in fact to the nature of the beads that are created with using a coating. They tend to bead up really nice, but they also stay on the surface. Only when another catalyst is introduced, more water, or air, do the beads move. If the car is sitting outside and it gets rained on, it is doing the same thing it does when it just sits on your paint.

The thing about a lot of the coatings is that they have products that when used as directed will take care of most of these issues. There also coatings that are working toward having a product that is less susceptible to this.


HUMP

[4u2nvinmtl]

•The Coating's surface must have sort of
a "rough texture"...it can not be smooth.
-Being rough textured means the Coatings
are kinda matte-like...not clear (or very shiny).


I noticed this with the coating I tried. It wasn't as smooth as I had expected (figured it be smooth as clean glass).