cleaning water spots

[prototype]

Has anyone ever tried to clean water spots from paint.

I'm not sure if it is acid rain or just calcium in the water that has dried on the vehicles. I've got some repainted cars to play guinea pig with. After that are a couple original paint cars that I do not want to mess with (in both lacquer and enamel finishes).

Thanks in advance, Fred

[raw muscle cars]

I get them with a well. I wash with warm water and then dry using a good spray wax like Griots......

[camarojoe]

I've been told a solution of vinegar and water will remove all but the toughest water spots... I evidently have only ever had the toughest ones though, because its never worked for me... newer cars get what we refer to as "acid rain spots" around here, particularly on soft parts, like plastic rear spoilers and urethane bumper covers. Its attributed to the paint being "softer" on these parts to allow them flexibility without cracking... it also allows acid rain to attack the paint easier too though... what I'm referring to are spots with a white "ring" around them, basically "burnt" into the paint/clearcoat.... sometimes they are bad enough that even buffing won't remove them...maybe yours aren't that bad, so with that said, try the vinegar, and keep your fingers crossed... (although that never seems to work for me either!) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Rick H]

I use Nu-finish in the orange bottle. I wash the car, dry with soft towels and apply Nu-finish. Works great for me.

I have tried other waxes such as turtle wax and I still have spots. Nu-finish removes them. Don't ask me why, it just works.

Rick H.

[hvychev]

I once had a black Vette that I left parked next to some under ground sprinklers. The water got all over the car and then the sun dried it. I couldn't get it off with any thing I tried. Whats crazy is that finally I brought the car to a car wash and used a power sprayer and hit it with a good close range blast which took the spots right out with out messing up the paint!.....Although I would not recomend this with an original paint car.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Keith Tedford]

I seem to get water spots only if our water softener runs out of salt.

[Speedrx]

I use Meguiars #9 Swirl Remover - excellent product for removing light scratches and water spots. Safe for a clear coat finishes but you might want to check for original Lacquer or Enamel.

[csx289]

www.adamspolishes.com (http://www.adamspolishes.com) , call Adam directly and ask him. Tell him I sent you and he better hook you up with some samples to try http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I think his scratch remover would do the trick. All his stuff is fantastic, I have tried every product on the market when I ran my detail shop (even made my own stuff), Adam has it figured out.

I like the stuff so much that I put one of his complete detail kits in every car I sell for the new owner.

And no, he doesn't pay me. I only use his stuff on my original paint cars. It is very gentle and highly effective.

Let me know how it works - and trust Adam's opinion, he knows how to detail as good as anybody.

Colin

[Stuart Adams]

Where is my kit? LOL.

[csx289]

Stu,
It's getting hand delivered to Az by yours truly - I was out of them! Will be waiting at BJ for you. Feel free to try the stuff out on my `cars in the sale!
Colin

[Stuart Adams]

Looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. I'm sure your cars won't need any extra SHINE.

[Eddie M.]

Adam will be there as well....his stuff works great

[Big Block Bill]

Being that "Water" spots are caused by the calcium in water, and vinegar dissolves calcium, vinegar is an in- expensive fix to this problem. I have used vinegar to clean numerous Cars, including Corvettes, boats, and water craft with excellent results. First wash vehicle with a good automotive type soap and cold water, rinse off with cold water, and while still wet, apply white vinegar straight from the bottle with a soft cloth. Let stand for about 2 minutes, and rinse off with cold water again. Obviously this need to be done away from the sun or any heat, and the surface will need to be waxed, because the vinegar will remove any wax previuosly applied. Tough stains will have to be done twice. It works!