Water Spots!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Columbus NJ
Water Spots!!!!
Dear Forum Users,
This should be an easy question for some of you Veterans, so here is goes. Recently purchased by first corvette and getting ready for Corvettes at Carlisle. What the best method to remove water spots from the finish of my car? Thanks in advance for your response.
This should be an easy question for some of you Veterans, so here is goes. Recently purchased by first corvette and getting ready for Corvettes at Carlisle. What the best method to remove water spots from the finish of my car? Thanks in advance for your response.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Re: Water Spots!!!! (Charcoal Grey 90)
When I bought my car, it had a lot of water spots and pollution etching as well. I tried various products, including the 3M products, but ultimately I had to wet-sand the upper surfaces to get the mirror finish I wanted. The 3M products worked very well will an orbital buffer to shine it back up. I used the Swirl Mark Remover for dark colors which should work well for you. Try the polishes first, you can always resort to harsher methods like wet-sanding if they don't quite get you to the point you want.
I also like the Meguiar's Step 1 Paint Cleaner for recent water spots and light pollution etching.
I also like the Meguiar's Step 1 Paint Cleaner for recent water spots and light pollution etching.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Water Spots!!!! (jwade91)
I bought some Meguiar's Scratch-X at Walmart and the stuff is amazing. I used it on my wife's car and my Vette and it took out every swirl mark and water spot. My wife kept telling me it looked like her car was repainted. I highly recommend it!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 85
From: Wimauma, FL
NCM Ambassador
Cruise-In 1, 2, 6, 8 Veteran
Re: Water Spots!!!! (Charcoal Grey 90)
First try some white vinager on a cotton cloth, If that does not do it go on to a clay bar (make sure you lub very well) If this all has failed try an abrasive such as 3M #39009.
Here is a little thing from Sal on spots.
Most 'fresh' mineral deposits (water spotting, acid rain, etc.) can be
removed using household white vinegar full strength. This is acetic acid and will
loosen and remove the mineral deposits and not harm the paint surface. Most of the
time,
the water spot etching you see is simply the hardened mineral deposit, giving the
illusion of etching into the paint. Believe me, when these mineral deposits harden.
They become really tough and hard to remove. The trick is to not give them a
chance to harden.
If the above fails, then use a Clay Bar to remove them....
If those water spots on your car have been there for a while. They might
be already etched into the clear coat. If Clay Bar will not remove them. Then what
you are seeing is an etched spot in the paint surface, similar to acid rain mark
etching..
Although, I am totally against using an abrasive product on todays clear
coated finishes. It's possible in your specific situation, you might not
have a choice. I would try 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover
part #39009 by hand, not by machine, using very light pressure. This should do
the trick. Be careful when doing this and only do the water spot areas, as the 3M is
abrasive and will remove paint material. Don't forget to reapply your favorite wax
or polish as the 3M product will remove any polish/wax.
If you opt to go with the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze... see following tips...
3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze use By hand:
Simply apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) to a cotton
diaper or piece of cotton towel and rub back and forth into about a 1' X
1' section using light to medium pressure until it starts to dry out.
Then take a second towel and lightly rub back and forth until the polish
residue disappears and the gloss comes up. If there are still some
swirls visible you can repeat this step until they are minimal. I prefer
using a less aggressive product a couple times instead of using a more
aggressive product once. After you are done you can wash and apply your favorite
polsih/wax..
Here is a little thing from Sal on spots.
Most 'fresh' mineral deposits (water spotting, acid rain, etc.) can be
removed using household white vinegar full strength. This is acetic acid and will
loosen and remove the mineral deposits and not harm the paint surface. Most of the
time,
the water spot etching you see is simply the hardened mineral deposit, giving the
illusion of etching into the paint. Believe me, when these mineral deposits harden.
They become really tough and hard to remove. The trick is to not give them a
chance to harden.
If the above fails, then use a Clay Bar to remove them....
If those water spots on your car have been there for a while. They might
be already etched into the clear coat. If Clay Bar will not remove them. Then what
you are seeing is an etched spot in the paint surface, similar to acid rain mark
etching..
Although, I am totally against using an abrasive product on todays clear
coated finishes. It's possible in your specific situation, you might not
have a choice. I would try 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover
part #39009 by hand, not by machine, using very light pressure. This should do
the trick. Be careful when doing this and only do the water spot areas, as the 3M is
abrasive and will remove paint material. Don't forget to reapply your favorite wax
or polish as the 3M product will remove any polish/wax.
If you opt to go with the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze... see following tips...
3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze use By hand:
Simply apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) to a cotton
diaper or piece of cotton towel and rub back and forth into about a 1' X
1' section using light to medium pressure until it starts to dry out.
Then take a second towel and lightly rub back and forth until the polish
residue disappears and the gloss comes up. If there are still some
swirls visible you can repeat this step until they are minimal. I prefer
using a less aggressive product a couple times instead of using a more
aggressive product once. After you are done you can wash and apply your favorite
polsih/wax..
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 21,266
Likes: 332
From: Isle of View "Mofo skated me, that was my up!"
Re: Water Spots!!!! (georgehafe)
Larry, lots of good advice and I'll ad one more. As other have said start with the least abrasive and if necessary work your way up. I'd go with a good cleaner wax (for clear coat of course) first and then on to the harsher stuff if needed. This is what worked for me. :D :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 15,266
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View California
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Water Spots!!!! (DON M)
Mixture of white vinegar and water... 1/2 & 1/2.... Works like a charm.. It wont hurt the finish I do it all the time because of hard water deposits...
I picked up on this trick in the Car Care section over a year ago...
I picked up on this trick in the Car Care section over a year ago...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, Ca
Re: Water Spots!!!! (Charcoal Grey 90)
I've heard the vinegar treatment works too although I haven't tried it. Use the claybar too. I was amazed at all the crud that came out of my paint. It polishes up real nice now. :chevy