C5 washing issue
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,157
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
C5 washing issue
I posted this subject in Car Care, but so far, no replies or ideas.
After I wash (and dry) our C5 it continues to have soapy water spots on the side windows when I roll them down and back up. It's like something inside the door is holding water. Everytime I roll the windows up I have to use glass cleaner to clean off the water spots. Any ideas why water is collecting inside the doors? I always use the mirror seals when washing, so I don't think much water is entering the door through the mirrors.
Not a big problem, just frustrating.
After I wash (and dry) our C5 it continues to have soapy water spots on the side windows when I roll them down and back up. It's like something inside the door is holding water. Everytime I roll the windows up I have to use glass cleaner to clean off the water spots. Any ideas why water is collecting inside the doors? I always use the mirror seals when washing, so I don't think much water is entering the door through the mirrors.
Not a big problem, just frustrating.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Pleasanton CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '14-'17,'21, '25
This happens to every car I have ever washed. Just leave the windows up for a few hours after the wash and all the water that accumulates near the bottom seal area will be gone.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
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From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
While drying - It will help to slam each door a couple of times to encourage the water to drain from the doors. You'll be amazed at how much collects on the sill.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,064
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From: Central Ma
Try removing the nozzle from your hose when you are done and go over the car one more time to let the sheeting action of the water flow off of the car thereby removing an awful lot of water. Follow up with a leaf blower, and a light Z6, or your favorite QD and a quality towel. 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,157
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
But...but...but I already do all those things! Except slamming the doors. I open the doors and clean the sills & jams (some water drains from the door bottom), I only rinse by sheeting, and I can wait 2-3 days before rolling the windows down and I still get spots! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 745
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From: Milton FL
Are you sure its water spots? Have you used any products on rubber window seal? I got some 303 on the Felt? inside of rubber on seals and it took a long time to wear off. I know it streaked not spotted like you, but maybe related?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
The felt strip holds the water. I use a leaf blower to dry my whole car. I give the felt strip a good 1 min each blowing air between the window and rubber strip downward.
But you still have to wait a few hours for it to dry.
But you still have to wait a few hours for it to dry.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,157
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
Let me explain further. This is happening inside the doors. I thoroughly rinse then dry the car. If I lower the windows (even days later) when I raise them back up there is dried, smeared water spots. Almost as if something is trapping water inside the door.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Let me explain further. This is happening inside the doors. I thoroughly rinse then dry the car. If I lower the windows (even days later) when I raise them back up there is dried, smeared water spots. Almost as if something is trapping water inside the door.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Let us know the results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
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From: Perry Hall MD
The felt lining that keeps the window tight is your problem. The felt is located inside the door at the top of the door where the window enters the door. It is under the rubber seal on the exterior of the door. When you lower the window the felt gets water and soap on the window. The window then dries and there are your spots when you roll the window up. To check this out, after washing the car and drying, roll down the window and then roll it back up, window should be wet and look like you dried it with an old dirty cheap towel.
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Melting Slicks
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From: bolckow missouri
true , but not days after washing , i'd check to see if the doors are holding water , pull door panel off and inspect or pull the rubber plug at the bottom and see if water runs out .
oak
oak
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
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From: Louisville Kentucky
Man you're right, it's frustrating but normal. If you don't roll the windows down for an hour or so on a hot day (with the car sitting in the sun), it won't happen. This is so everyday normal that I always keep one of those freakin' rags (that I can't remember what it's called for the sake of me) so that I can do a wipe off when I stop somewhere.
It's NORMAL.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Louisville Kentucky
I must have missed the "days later" part, that wasn't stated until later on in the thread. However, you're right...that's not normal. Hour later, normal but it should be almost dry by then.