Hydrophobic behaviour
Hydrophobic behaviour describes a surface's ability to repel water.
Read the explanationTechnical term
Beading behaviour
Beading behaviour describes how a surface repels water. Hydrophobic protection creates rounded droplets and can improve cleaning efficiency and dirt repellency.
Washing methods & exterior care
What does Beading behaviour mean?
Beading behaviour describes how a surface repels water. Hydrophobic protection creates rounded droplets and can improve cleaning efficiency and dirt repellency.
Related terms
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Sealant protection
Sealants protect surfaces against UV exposure, chemicals, water and dirt.
Read the explanationFrequently asked questions
Questions about Beading behaviour
What is beading behaviour?
Beading behaviour describes how water forms droplets and runs off a surface. It makes water repellency visible but does not replace a complete assessment of the protection.
What does beading behaviour show?
It shows the degree of surface hydrophobicity. Layer thickness, adhesion and overall condition cannot be determined reliably from beading alone.
How is beading behaviour assessed?
Water is applied to the clean surface and the droplet shape and run-off are observed. Contamination and maintenance products can influence the result.
What does strong beading mean?
Round, compact droplets indicate low wettability and therefore hydrophobic behaviour. On their own they prove neither a particularly thick nor a completely intact protective layer.
When is beading weak?
When water remains spread out or forms broad sheets. Causes can include declining protection, contamination, residue or the material property itself.