NeverWet NeverWork

[Piloto]

In search for a low cost de-icing solution I finally got a chance to try the NeverWet product from Rust-Oleum retailed at Home Depot. Here is my little experiment: 

 

1. I coated a 4" x 6" aluminum plate with the two coats of NeverWet. After drying for one day the surface appearance is clear but no gloss.

 

2. I pour a few drops of water on the plate. And sure enough the water formed into small spheres that rolled out of the plate like bearing balls. This proved the hydrophobic property of the coating.

 

3. Next I put the plate into the freezer at 28F and let it cool down for half an hour.

 

4. I pour a few drops of cold water onto the surface but water just spread out in the same area, not into small spheres like at room temperature. 

 

5. I let the water freeze on the plate for half an hour.

 

6. After half hour the water was solid frozen and will not drift on the surface even when slightly pushed by hand.

 

 7. I pulled the plate out of the freezer and started watching the ice melting. As the ice melted into water the water started gradualy forming into little spheres that rolled out of the plate. It was like watching a magic trick.

 

It appears that the hydrophobic property is not there at freezing tempeartures. Oh well so much for $8 

 

Has anyone tried this product?

 

José

[aaronk25]

Ya I think the stuff is a hoax. Spray it on fabric and it loses it's ability to repel water as soon as material is folded or brushed up against.

[bnicolette]

Interesting José, good experiment.  That's terrible news by the way.  

 

I suppose that a painted surface would probably react the same?  Since you already have the cans of stuff, just as well give it a shot.

 

Thanks for the write up.

[Cruiser]

I have not used it and have no personal experience with the stuff. What I have read however seems to indicate that it is very good in a static environment. Any movement or friction and the coating wears away very rapidly. Not good for an airplane moving 150+ kts in a wet freezing cloud.

[aviatoreb]

In search for a low cost de-icing solution I finally got a chance to try the NeverWet product from Rust-Oleum retailed at Home Depot. Here is my little experiment: 

 

1. I coated a 4" x 6" aluminum plate with the two coats of NeverWet. After drying for one day the surface appearance is clear but no gloss.

 

2. I pour a few drops of water on the plate. And sure enough the water formed into small spheres that rolled out of the plate like bearing balls. This proved the hydrophobic property of the coating.

 

3. Next I put the plate into the freezer at 28F and let it cool down for half an hour.

 

4. I pour a few drops of cold water onto the surface but water just spread out in the same area, not into small spheres like at room temperature. 

 

5. I let the water freeze on the plate for half an hour.

 

6. After half hour the water was solid frozen and will not drift on the surface even when slightly pushed by hand.

 

 7. I pulled the plate out of the freezer and started watching the ice melting. As the ice melted into water the water started gradualy forming into little spheres that rolled out of the plate. It was like watching a magic trick.

 

It appears that the hydrophobic property is not there at freezing tempeartures. Oh well so much for $8 

 

Has anyone tried this product?

 

José

 

Jose' you have a career on Mythbusters.