Tuft test vs Aero paint

[jeongyun]

Hello

This is my first post here. I've been reading great posts in this forum for a while and finally decided to join.

So here's my question.
I've seen Formula 1 teams use what's often called 'aero paint'.
f1-dictionary.110mb.com/flow_visualization_paint.html Flow Visualization Paint
motorsport.com/f1/photo/main-gallery/mclaren-mercedes-try-aero-paint-on-the-diffuser McLaren Mercedes, try aero paint on the diffuser, detail

What does it tell you compared to tuft test?
How are you supposed to apply the paint on your car?

I'm interested mainly because aero paint takes only one person to apply and analyse while tuft test takes two or more people.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by jeongyun

Hello
What does it tell you compared to tuft test?

Apparently it will show similar details to tuft testing:

Details like direction and attached\non-attached flow can be observed.

source: Flow viz: Its nothing new | Scarbsf1's Blog

How are you supposed to apply the paint on your car?

This is liberally applied by a spray gun to bodywork up stream of the area you want to investigate.

(Same source)

I'm interested mainly because aero paint takes only one person to apply and analyse while tuft test takes two or more people.

Depends on the area you want to analyze. rear glass - can do by looking in the rear view mirror. Other spots can be recorded by mounting a camera on the vehicle.

I've done quite a bit of tuft testing with the "webcam on a stick" method - mounting a camera on a boom which is attached to the car by various methods. Drive/record, then review later.