DetailingWiki Newsletter
    Get free and automatic updates on new articles
    We respect your privacy. No data is used for anything other than sending the newsletter!

    Advertisement

What is sheeting

Written by:

Sheeting is a particular form of water behavior. Thanks to the interaction between a liquid and a surface, sheeting can occur. This means that the water glides off the surface like a big “sheet” of water. There are a few different things at play that cause sheeting, but it is a popular effect that protective layer can give.

Contents

How does sheeting look like

When water is poured on a surface, it can glide off the paintwork like one piece of liquid. In some cases it glides off the surface as fast as it is poured on the surface. This video will show sheeting (and a bit of beading) in practice.

How does sheeting work

When a surface has a different surface energy then the surface tension from the liquid, the molecules in the liquid will pull harder at each other than the surface pulls on it. This causes a very small surface contact area, which prevents the liquid from having enough contact area to stick to the surface. The water isn’t repelled, but it pulls itself towards itself.
It is also important that the surface itself is very smooth. Any imperfections in the surface will cause a droplet of water to cling on to. An imperfection is made up out of microscopic hills and valleys. The water molecules can fill these microscopic gaps which causes the water droplet to get stuck. For proper sheeting the surface needs to be perfectly smooth.

This however poses a small challenge. Even by polishing it is difficult to get a perfectly smooth surface. So a protective product that helps to create a smooth surface helps. A wax is notorious for filling in gaps, and leaving a temporary smooth surface. Sealants don’t fill as much, but do offer a very slick layer. Ceramic coating don’t fill much at all, but offer a superior smooth surface.
All have their own properties, however durability and hardness plays a big role in maintaining sheeting.

Sheeting and the amount of protection

It is commonly thought that sheeting means that there is protection. This is not true. A surface can contain certain contaminants that won’t be removed with a normal shampoo, which has a negative effect on the sheeting. Also, a surface can become hydrophilic, which makes the water adhere to the surface more then it should.
This does not mean that there is no protection anymore, it just means that the requirements for good sheeting isn’t met anymore.
However, beading and sheeting are such popular traits, that many detailers will re-apply a layer of protection when the sheeting and/or beading is down to a certain amount.

Different related articles

  • Liqui Tech LLC
    Manufacturers
    Liqui Tech is a Canadian company that was founded in 1992 and has been developing car care products. The most common name used for their products is Finish First. The company has a wide range of products offering solutions for vehicles, motors, RV and marine cleaning needs....
  • 303
    Manufacturers
    303
    303 is an American brand by GoldEagle and consists of several detailing products for a wide variety of markets. The products can be used for automotive detailing, but also for indoor/outdoor use and boat care. The brand offers several different products for several different tasks....
  • The best snowfoam
    Detailing Miscellaneous
    It is often asked on detailing fora and social media: "what is the best snowfoam". Off course there is a difference between certain products and brands, but it is important to know what you are asking. In this guide I will try to explain what the problem is with this question unless it is asked more in-depth....
  • Palm Beach Motoring Group
    Manufacturers
    Palm Beach Motoring Group, or PBMG, is the largest car care manufacturer, reseller and distributor in America. The company is owned by Vision Investments LLC. and is located in Florida, USA....
  • What is an emulsion
    Detailing Miscellaneous
    An emulsion is a mixture of water and oil. These 2 substances don't mix without a third substance to bind them together. To create an emulsion you need an emulsifier. Soap is a good example of an emulsifier....
  • Polish Angel
    Manufacturers
    Polish Angel is a German manufacturer and seller of detailing related products. The brand sells shampoo, polish, protective products, but also polish pads, gloves and MF towels. Polish Angel is being sold around the world, but it only has distribution places in and around Germany and America....

Links to this article

There are no external links to this article. Yet.
Sidebar



Stay up to date with our free newsletter
Always be the first to know about new updates, articles and other informative content.
Don't miss out, opt in!
We respect your privacy. No data is used for anything other than sending the newsletter!