To be absolutely frank with you,I really do not know whether our cabrio top originally beaded water before treating it with Wolfstein's Raggtopp cleaner/protectant.We try to only take the car out if clear weather is forecasted.Only twice has it happened that we were out boppin around when a spot shower came up.We put the top up quickly but then the showers subsided within only a few minutes.After driving with the top up for an additional five or ten minutes,we were able to run the top down .As a result we were not able to tell if there was any beading present or not.I can tell you that when washing the car I have never noticed a beading ---HOWEVER,there was soapy water involved so the surface tension of the water would be altered and a realistic assessment would be impossible to make.My comment would be to treat the top with Wolftein's Raggtopp cleaner and follow it up with the protectant as soon as possile.Wether or not it was showing a beading previously or not doesnt matter.The thing to focus on is what type of responce you get AFTER the protectant is applied.At least that is how it strikes me.