Yes, AB needs to be applied damp and wiped off almost immediately, so it's very quick to use. It doesn't bead, but it does protect very well, it also has anti corrosion properties on bare metal and resists salt spray for quite some time.
If you apply it in straight lines, it also fills swirls in the paintwork.
In the future, i understand it to be during the summer, there should be a "topper" for AB and this will add a "beading" effect to water that lands on the car.