Hard water spot??
09-17-2010, 08:37 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Hard water spot??
Today I parked at a house that had the sprinklers go off and put hard water spots all over my car. I washed it and 90% came off but it has little rings all over. will anything remove the rings? 
09-17-2010, 08:48 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
I had this problem on my '84 Z28 many years ago and nothing touched it. Even went to a body shop and they said short of a full buff, nothing else would work.Sooo, I hate to tell you this as I'll probably be slammed . . . but take it to a touchless carwash . . . this one and only time. The chemicals used seem to remove the spots very well.I suggest and good detailing afterwards thou!! Good luck!!
09-17-2010, 08:55 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
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Try a 50%water/50% white vinegar mix, let is sit on the spots for about 15 seconds, gently wipe, and then rinse well. Vinegar has a natural acid that dissolves mineral content.
Then try saplumr suggestion.
If that doesn't work you can dab with full strength vinegar and wash right away.
You want to go with the lowest amount of acid first. I have seen vinegar dull the paint and that area had to be buffed out.
On black cars in full sun, when the water droplets hit the extremely hot surface, they can actually boil and etch the paint.
Then try saplumr suggestion.
If that doesn't work you can dab with full strength vinegar and wash right away.
You want to go with the lowest amount of acid first. I have seen vinegar dull the paint and that area had to be buffed out.
On black cars in full sun, when the water droplets hit the extremely hot surface, they can actually boil and etch the paint.
Last edited by Grzldvt1; 09-17-2010 at 08:58 PM.
09-17-2010, 08:59 PM
#7
Team Owner
When I get the hard water runs from my mirrors, about the only thing that will remove them is to use The Treatment Scratch Remover with a dose of elbow grease. Polish doesn't do the job for me.
09-17-2010, 09:03 PM
#9
Race Director
Try a 50%water/50% white vinegar mix, let is sit on the spots for about 15 seconds, gently wipe, and then rinse well. Vinegar has a natural acid that dissolves mineral content.
Then try saplumr suggestion.
If that doesn't work you can dab with full strength vinegar and wash right away.
You want to go with the lowest amount of acid first. I have seen vinegar dull the paint and that area had to be buffed out.
On black cars in full sun, when the water droplets hit the extremely hot surface, they can actually boil and etch the paint.
Then try saplumr suggestion.
If that doesn't work you can dab with full strength vinegar and wash right away.
You want to go with the lowest amount of acid first. I have seen vinegar dull the paint and that area had to be buffed out.
On black cars in full sun, when the water droplets hit the extremely hot surface, they can actually boil and etch the paint.
09-17-2010, 09:05 PM
#10
Pro
Thread Starter
09-17-2010, 09:07 PM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
09-17-2010, 09:23 PM
#13
Race Director
09-17-2010, 09:52 PM
#14
Team Owner
09-17-2010, 10:12 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
Posts: 5,511
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In my shop I have a very mild acid from Production that is killer for water spots, but you really have to pay attention to what you are doing with that stuff.
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
09-17-2010, 10:25 PM
#18
Pro
Thread Starter
In my shop I have a very mild acid from Production that is killer for water spots, but you really have to pay attention to what you are doing with that stuff.
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
09-17-2010, 10:36 PM
#19
Race Director
In my shop I have a very mild acid from Production that is killer for water spots, but you really have to pay attention to what you are doing with that stuff.
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
Agree if your water is coming out in chunks, the full strength is the ticket. Sounds like his were not all that bad henceforth the milder solution.
Had a car come in where the guy let the vinegar dry and sit all night. Did a nice job of dulling and mildly etched the paint. Took some serious work to get it back up. He said no one told him he had to take it off
09-17-2010, 10:54 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
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pure white vinegar, or rubbing alcohol, if that does not work, wd40.. it will not harm the clear coat. ditch the clay bar, that does not work on water spots.