Does water beading prove a surface is waterproofed and protected from water damage?
Beading alone is not a measure of water repellency. It is just a surface phenomenon – remember, water will even bead up on a dirt field when it starts to rain. Some products are formulated to produce water beading on wood but do not effectively protect the wood from water penetration and damage. The best way to tell if a surface is waterproofed is to use the “Splash Test.” Pour a little water on the surface. If it darkens, the water is penetrating and the surface needs to be protected. If it beads, rolls off or stands on the surface, but does not darken the surface, it is protected. Thompson’s® WaterSeal® waterproofers penetrate the wood so that even after the beading is gone, the waterproofing protection lasts.
