How to create water beads?

milenab1983 · 13 Mar 2013

Hi guys,

I want to create water droplets that have nice, round shape. What shall I use? I read that rain-x is great but what can I use if I don't have it?

Nichol4s · 13 Mar 2013

what do you want to create them on?

car wax would work

milenab1983 · 13 Mar 2013

On glass. So do I wax the glass then?

Frosticles · 13 Mar 2013

milenab1983 said:
On glass. So do I wax the glass then?

Yes.

Raptor Mike · 13 Mar 2013

You could try rinse aid.

Astro · 13 Mar 2013

Raptor Mike said:
You could try rinse aid.

Rinse aid would reduce the surface tension of the water and have the opposite effect required.

tonester · 13 Mar 2013

Liquid glycerine!! And an dropper. Available from the baking section in the supermarket does exactly what you want it to do!!

Jayst84 · 13 Mar 2013

Yep, usual thing to do in product photography, etc. is to mix some glycerine with water in a spray bottle. Gets you bigger droplets that hold their shape.

Raptor Mike · 13 Mar 2013

Astro said:
Rinse aid would reduce the surface tension of the water and have the opposite effect required.

I see what you're saying but when I use rinse aid valet cars after rinsing flatish areas, eg the roof are full of water beads. It does help water run off on the doors etc but I found not so on roofs. This could be that because the water cannot adear so well to the paint, it creats nice dropplets ll over the roof. Seems to be the same on sunroofs.

I'll take a photo tomorrow, but it will be on my rubbish blackberry

Ben-BSH · 13 Mar 2013

Just get some Rain-X or similar windscreen treatment fluid, works a treat, Plus while your at it you get a lovely sparking windscreen when it rains!