Water Behavior Test: Sheeting vs Beading – Cerakote Professional vs The Gloss Boss
Water behavior is one of the best ways to evaluate a ceramic coating’s performance. In this post, we’ll compare how Cerakote Professional and The Gloss Boss handle sheeting, beading, and self-cleaning after multiple washes and exposure to the elements.
Estimated Reading Time: Less than 10 minutes
Introduction: Why Water Behavior Matters
How a ceramic coating interacts with water tells you everything about its real-world performance. Tight water beads and fast sheeting indicate strong surface tension and active hydrophobic protection. As coatings age, these properties fade — exposing which formulas truly last.
We tested Cerakote Professional and The Gloss Boss side by side under identical wash and weather conditions to measure their hydrophobic performance over time.
Understanding Beading vs Sheeting
Water Beading is when water forms small, round droplets that roll off easily. It looks impressive and indicates high surface tension.
Water Sheeting occurs when water quickly evacuates the panel in smooth waves rather than beads. Effective sheeting helps reduce drying time and water spotting.
Both behaviors are desirable — but the best coatings combine them for optimal protection and self-cleaning ability.
1. Initial Water Behavior Results
On freshly coated panels, both Cerakote Professional and The Gloss Boss exhibited strong hydrophobic behavior. However, The Gloss Boss produced noticeably tighter beads with faster runoff speed.
Where Cerakote’s beads averaged around 6–7 mm in diameter, The Gloss Boss maintained 3–4 mm beads that rolled away with less effort, leaving minimal residue behind.
2. Performance After 25 Washes
After 25 cycles using The Super Soaper (a pH-neutral wash), Cerakote’s beading began to flatten slightly, transitioning toward mild sheeting.
The Gloss Boss retained nearly identical bead size and response time — a sign of better chemical resilience and surface structure integrity.
3. Real-World Dirt and Self-Cleaning
When left outside for two weeks between washes, Cerakote panels accumulated fine dust and pollen, requiring contact washing for full removal.
Panels treated with The Gloss Boss stayed noticeably cleaner — a result of its superior self-cleaning effect. When rinsed, 80–90% of surface contaminants slid off without agitation.
4. Contact Angle Comparison
| Condition | Cerakote Professional | The Gloss Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application | 105° average contact angle | 118° average contact angle |
| After 25 Washes | 96° average | 112° average |
| After 50 Washes | 88° average | 108° average |
The data shows that The Gloss Boss maintains hydrophobic efficiency longer, even after multiple wash cycles — meaning less water left behind and faster drying.
Want the Best Water Beading and Sheeting?
The Gloss Boss delivers unmatched hydrophobic performance, making water slide off effortlessly for faster drying and fewer spots.
Shop The Gloss Boss Buy on Amazon5. UV Exposure and Long-Term Testing
We exposed both coatings to 3 months of daily sunlight and weather conditions. Cerakote began showing reduced hydrophobic behavior after 10 weeks, while The Gloss Boss maintained strong sheeting and beading characteristics beyond 14 weeks.
This durability is largely due to The Gloss Boss’s hybrid SiO₂ + SiC polymer matrix, which resists oxidation and water-spot etching better than traditional ceramic-only formulas.
6. Water Spot Resistance
Both coatings protect against mineral deposits, but The Gloss Boss’s slicker surface helps prevent hard water from drying into rings. In testing, panels coated with The Gloss Boss required 40% less drying time and developed fewer visible spots after air drying.
When used in conjunction with Tough As Shell as a topper, water-spot resistance improved even further — creating a near self-drying effect.
7. Maintenance Tips to Preserve Beading
- → Wash only with pH-neutral soaps like The Super Soaper.
- → Reapply a light coat of Tough As Shell every 8–12 weeks.
- → Avoid using high-alkaline degreasers or APCs on coated panels.
- → Blow dry panels to prevent standing water from leaving minerals behind.
8. Visual Results Summary
| Observation | Cerakote Professional | The Gloss Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Bead Size Consistency | Moderate variation over time | Uniform and stable after months |
| Sheeting Speed | Slower after repeated washes | Consistent fast sheeting |
| Self-Cleaning Effect | Good when new, fades with time | Excellent, sustained longer |
Verdict: The Gloss Boss Wins in Every Category
When it comes to hydrophobic performance and real-world durability, The Gloss Boss outperformed Cerakote Professional across every metric — from bead tightness to long-term sheeting behavior.
While Cerakote starts strong, it loses hydrophobic behavior faster under repeated washing. The Gloss Boss’s balanced chemistry keeps water sliding off for months, reducing drying effort and preventing spotting in all climates.
Upgrade Your Coating’s Water Performance
Switch to The Gloss Boss for stronger beading, faster sheeting, and longer-lasting protection against water spots.
Shop The Gloss Boss Buy on AmazonRelated Reading
- Longevity Under Harsh Conditions: Salt, Road Grime & UV — Cerakote vs The Gloss Boss
- The Gloss Boss Review – After 6 Months: How Does It Perform?
- Maintenance Routine for The Gloss Boss – Get Maximum Life
FAQs
What’s the difference between beading and sheeting?
Beading forms tight water droplets, while sheeting rapidly removes water in flat layers. Both protect your paint and indicate a strong ceramic coating.
Why does water stop beading over time?
Contaminants or soap residue can clog the coating’s surface. A decontamination wash and maintenance spray like Tough As Shell can restore hydrophobic behavior.
How can I test if my coating still works?
Rinse the panel — if water sheets or beads quickly, your coating is active. If water clings, it may be time to refresh with The Gloss Boss or Tough As Shell.
Is The Gloss Boss better at preventing water spots?
Yes. Its slicker finish and higher contact angle make it harder for minerals to dry onto the surface, preventing common spot marks.
Can I use The Gloss Boss on glass?
Yes — it’s safe for all exterior surfaces, including glass and trim, and improves wiper performance by repelling rain.
