P&S Beadmaker Review

Thanks again @Pudge in that case I will stick with the Meguiars Hybrid spray wax, it sounds similar.

 

The megs even lasts a little longer. I love beadmaker but it is what it is. You can't go wrong with the megs

 

That’s a great product!

 

Newbie here....just signed up to this forum and it's loaded with info. I've always just been a wash and dry kinda guy but just purchased a 2020 MGM SR5 in Sept. I wanted to try some entry level detailing...after reading a ton of posts, I wanted to try using Jescar Powerlock with Beadmaker over it.....but I read somewhere on here (maybe from War Machine) that the Beadmaker doesn't stick to Jescar Powerlock to well but Powerlock was recommended because it looks better than the Hydro2 on MGM vehicles....so am I wasting my time putting Beadmaker over Powerlock since it doesn't stick well and use the Hydro2 with Beadmaker over it? Also which microfiber towels should i use for each application? Thanks guys for all the helpful info

 

@swampshark
I would use either powerlock or hydro2 as a base. Both are excellent, if you already have the powerlock then use that, hydro2 is awesome stuff, but I wouldnt say it's better or worse than hydro2, just different.
If you want to top powerlock with something, I hear most people have good luck with waxes. Specifically collinite 845, but I bet any wax will work well.

Hydro2 base with beadmaker topper is a great combo, they just seem to work well together. Hydro2 is expensive but is worth it IMO. When I use it I wash, rinses, hydro2, rinse, spray beadmaker as a drying aide and dry well.

I really like powerlock alot, it's easy to apply and looks really good, especially on grey and green paint.

What do you already have as far as these products? You can't go wrong with either of these, I would use what you have on hand.

Hydro2 and beadmaker are both spray and buff and dry products. Jescar powerlock is a liquid, applied to a dry clean car and buffed and buffed. Same with collinite waxes.

Which one do you want to use? It comes down to that I guess. If I had to choose between the 2 combos I would probably do hydro2 and beadmaker, but it's a very close call.

 

I have not bought anything yet....just concerned about the comment that Beadmaker doesn't adhere well to Powerlock (so I didn't want to waste my time putting Beadmaker over Powerlock if it doesn't adhere well) but Powerlock seems to get the nod for MGM paint? So what difference will I see (if any) in using hydro2 with beadmaker over it compared to hydrolock with beadmaker over it?? Any suggestions for microfiber towel for each product? Thanks...

 

The fact it works worse with powerlock than hydro2 is likely due to their chemical make ups. Certain products just don't mesh well and this is a good example.
Power lock is indeed awesome on MGM, but so is hydro2. It sounds like you really wanna use beadmaker, in that case go ahead and buy thatand hydro2. Hydro2 is quick and easy.

As far as towels go, I like griots PFM towels for drying, which you'll have to go after hydro2 is applied.

For the beadmaker, the eagle edgeless 500 gsm towels from the rag company are preferred by most it seems. I don't have any of those, but I have a few dozen quality MF towels or varioustypes, they all work fine. Anything but a waffle weave should work. Make sure you get some MF detergent, I like griots brand, or Wolfgang, but 3D kleen towel is the most economical

 

For whatever reason, Beadmaker does not work very well with Powerlock. It doesn’t produce the same slickness, doesn’t enhance the gloss as much, and wears off much faster than it does when used with Hydro2. I’m guessing it has to do with the chemistry of each product.

Now, this part is subjective, so I can only give you my opinion. My wife had a MGM Sequoia, and my daughter has a Honda in a similar color. To my eyes, nothing I’ve ever used on either looks as good as Powerlock, and I’ve tried a ton of stuff. It produces a thick, wet look to the paint which is gorgeous. Beadmaker looks good on MGM, but not nearly as good as Powerlock does.

On the flip side, Powerlock doesn’t look as good on black as Beadmaker does. Once again, this is just how it looks to me. There’s plenty of people who claim that no product looks better on one color than it does on others. I disagree. I really do think it makes a difference. I always use Powerlock on grey now.
It may have to do with the depth or reflectivity of the color. Obviously black has a deeper reflection to it than grey or white. Perhaps the thicker product adds depth to the lighter colors. Or, it’s possible it’s just my imagination.

So, besides the look, there’s several differences:

Application:
Hydro2 and Beadmaker are much easier to apply. Both are sprays, so they go on faster with less labor involved. Hydro2 is spray on, rinse off. Beadmaker is spray on, buff off.

Powerlock is a thick liquid. It has the consistency of toothpaste. You take a foam or microfiber applicator, spread it on, wait for it to haze up, then buff off with a microfiber towel. It takes longer and requires more effort to buff off.

Durability:
Powerlock wins this pretty easily. Unless you are in a pretty harsh environment, there’s no reason to apply it more than twice a year. This is the one product I’ve absolutely left alone and not touched up for the longest.

Hydro2 / Beadmaker is two products with different lifespans:
Beadmaker starts to degrade after about a month. It will last longer than that, but the effects start to fall off drastically at around a month.
Hydro2 will last 3-6 months before it wears off. While that sounds like it’s nearly as good as Powerlock, Hydro2 produces pretty much no gloss or visual enhancements whatsoever. The paint is still protected, but the “shine“ won’t be there. That’s why we top it with Beadmaker. It adds the pop that the Hydro2 doesn’t. Powerlock keeps the visual appeal much longer.

The Hydro2/Beadmaker combo works best if you use Beadmaker as a drying aid in subsequent washes. It keeps the protection and look fresh on the paint.

Cost:
Powerlock is around 30 bucks for a 16 ounce bottle or 45 bucks for a 32 ounce bottle. It goes a long way, so the small bottle of Powerlock should last you at least a couple of years I’d say. (I haven’t emptied a bottle yet, so I can’t say for sure.

Beadmaker is cheap. Usually around 30 bucks a gallon. You will have to use a good bit of it though.
Hydro2 is one of the most expensive sealants on the market. It’s $60.00 for 16 ounces. It is a concentrate though, which you dilute anywhere from 6:1 to 10:1. That bottle will last a couple of years or more pretty easily.
Note: Gyeon Wetcoat can be used in place of Hydro2. It’s $19.00 for 16 ounces. It’s not a concentrate, so the bottle won’t go nearly as far. It’s much cheaper up front though. Hydro2 is a better value in the long run.

Overall, both have pros and cons. Powerlock requires much less maintenance, so if you’re looking for something you won’t have to mess with again for a long time, that’s the best route in my opinion, regardless of paint color. If you enjoy washing your vehicles and don’t mind having to reapply more often, Hydro2 and Beadmaker will keep you happy. You’re going to pleased either way.

Towels:
You can’t go wrong with The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 500. It’s probably the best all around towel, and the price is very reasonable.

https://www.theragcompany.com/eagle-edgeless-500-ultra-plush-microfiber-towel/

It’s good for washing, applying sealants, buffing off wax, etc. There are others that excel in different areas, but these will do pretty much any job very well. The Rag Company also sells Beadmaker, so you can lump them together in one order. (Note: Their “Monster” towel is better for applying Beadmaker, but it can be done with the Edgeless no problem.)

 

thanks so much....Hydro2; Beadmaker and MF towels...Santa gonna come early...thanks again =:^)

 

OOps....replied before seeing War Machine's post...so if I went with Powerlock instead, do you still use Beadmaker over that or just the Powerlock for MGM....sorry for multiple posts it's just this is all new to me and I want to do it right....thanks to all

 

I was in the same boat @swampshark, just a wash and maybe wax kind of guy. Found this wallet crushing devil forum and am on it every day. I've not tried powerlock, but I have a black RW and go the hydro/beadmaker route. There is something about beadmaker that can't be explained. When applied to a freshly detailed vehicle, you just want to rub your whole body all over it... If you ever get a chance to try it, you should, just for kicks...

As for MF towels, everyone recommended Griot's PFM for drying and it's remarkable. For wax, glass, and other stuff, I found some I really like on Amazon that I would definitely buy more of, but I also want to try the rag company eagle edgeless sometime. Can never have enough MF towels. Good luck, can't wait to see some pics!

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Micr...ber&qid=1572588039&sprefix=buff+detail&sr=8-4

 

Beadmaker doesn’t work well with Powerlock. I just go with Powerlock only. Some people apply wax over it, but I don’t feel it’s necessary.

 

I have a few "buff" brand MF towels and I really like them a lot. They don't have the silk edging like the ones you linked but they are great all around towels.

 

Well if it ships from autogeek ain’t no way in hell I’m ordering

 

Whats wrong with autogeek?

 

They are fine for most they just burnt me and I’m still hanging on to my anger.

 

I can feel your anger, it makes you stronger!

 

As long as you can feel it.

 

Its a quote from a star wars movie. Im kind of a dork.

 

Lol all good.

I just try and order products from the manufacture now if possible. That way when I have a issue they take care of it. Autogeek left me hanging on some CarPro product and now I just by from them direct.

 

What a nerd.

 

No argument there! Lol

 

I think he was talking about me lmao

 

Lmao. Even more proof im a dork!

 

And I sir am a nerd

 

Prove it. Do you own the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy on DVD?

 

No but I have the books

 

I see you have one upped me in the nerd department.