Water spots etched in the clear coat...
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Water spots etched in the clear coat...
How can you get rid of them? Stove top cleaner works great at getting them off glass. Paint...eh..better not use that on paint.
I have them on my 94 Corvette and my 08 Nissan Titan.
I have tried the 50/50 distilled white vinegar/distilled water mix. Did nothing on either vehicle.
I don't want to use an abbrasive because I never can get it to look right. I have tried that 3M rubbing compound stuff and never could get it to work on either vehicle.
Tips?
I have them on my 94 Corvette and my 08 Nissan Titan.
I have tried the 50/50 distilled white vinegar/distilled water mix. Did nothing on either vehicle.
I don't want to use an abbrasive because I never can get it to look right. I have tried that 3M rubbing compound stuff and never could get it to work on either vehicle.
Tips?
#2
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Lawrenceville GA
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, you have to determine if the spots are above surface or below surface. The fact that you used oven cleaner (!) to remove spots previously suggests they are above surface.
You have found that a mild acid can remove above surface water spots. It might take a couple of applications and/or need some soak time, but the process you have tried does the trick in many instances. There are more aggressive procedures out there if the vinegar trick doesn't work.
If the spots are below surface, the only way to remove them is machine polishing, or even wet sanding followed by machine polishing. This can get tricky as sanding and polishing remove clearcoat and you want to preserve as much as that as possible.
If you know a good detailer in your area, you may want to discuss the problem with him and see what they suggest.
You have found that a mild acid can remove above surface water spots. It might take a couple of applications and/or need some soak time, but the process you have tried does the trick in many instances. There are more aggressive procedures out there if the vinegar trick doesn't work.
If the spots are below surface, the only way to remove them is machine polishing, or even wet sanding followed by machine polishing. This can get tricky as sanding and polishing remove clearcoat and you want to preserve as much as that as possible.
If you know a good detailer in your area, you may want to discuss the problem with him and see what they suggest.
#3
Burning Brakes
if 3m rubbing compound didn't work for you, you may have to wetsand it. I would try the compound again, it may take a couple times and some elbow grease but it should disappear.
#4
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Use the least abrasive product first-
1. Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner)
2. Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the effected surface with Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner
4. Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules
5. Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the paint surface
6. For Ceramiclear or other hard clear coats substitute Menzerna for machine polish; Super Intensive Polish / Nano Polish (105FF) or Final Finish Polish (106FA)
7. Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
8. Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) - (M) this is a one-step scratch remover polish is formulated for CeramiClear or other ‘Hard’ paints. It will remove 2500 grit, cut 3.0-gloss 3.5, is formulated as a quick way to polish out light flaws and amplify the paint’s gloss. Use a primed Orange (mid range, high density foam (60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action LC CCS foam pad 1200 RPM
9. Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or 3000 grit finishing paper
1. Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner)
2. Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the effected surface with Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner
4. Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules
5. Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the paint surface
6. For Ceramiclear or other hard clear coats substitute Menzerna for machine polish; Super Intensive Polish / Nano Polish (105FF) or Final Finish Polish (106FA)
7. Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
8. Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) - (M) this is a one-step scratch remover polish is formulated for CeramiClear or other ‘Hard’ paints. It will remove 2500 grit, cut 3.0-gloss 3.5, is formulated as a quick way to polish out light flaws and amplify the paint’s gloss. Use a primed Orange (mid range, high density foam (60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action LC CCS foam pad 1200 RPM
9. Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or 3000 grit finishing paper
#6
Former Vendor
Our paint cleansing lotions (Pinnacle, Dodo, P21S) will often remove recent spots especially on those areas that are protected. Next step if often a light or medium polish. If those spots are truly "etched" into the paint, then sometimes wet-sanding is the only option and should be left to professional as possible.
No need to use oven cleaner on glass either, both our DP Glass Restorer and Diamonite products will help and much safer too.
No need to use oven cleaner on glass either, both our DP Glass Restorer and Diamonite products will help and much safer too.
#7