Water etching
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
Water etching
Not on a Vette but GM truck. My son parked his truck by a industrial Cooling Tower. This is what his paint looks like now. I tried clay bar, swirl remover and a light polishing compound with no luck. Any ideas without going to a professional. 2017 Chevy Silverado.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 71
From: Gilbert Arid zona
At the end of 1994 I purchased a new Black 94 Corvette Coupe that sat in the dirt lot for months at a dealership, in Mesa Az. The car was a filthy mess and they spent 4 hours detailing it. The water spots were still visible when looking at the surface from a flat on angle. I tried clay bars, vinegar and over 10 other non abrasive products trying to remove these baked on water spots. I finally found something that would remove the water spots that I and the detail crew at the dealership could not remove. The product's name was The Wax Shops Safe Cut. Years later I couldn't find this anywhere and searched high and low. Then I found out that Turtle wax bought them out and the products formula. It was then incorporated in Turtle Wax's Polish and Rubbing Compound in the Black and Green bottles. When it was first introduced their advertising cracked me up, "Nano Technology" was the game. lol I'd try the Rubbing Compound in the green bottle. I also use it on clear polycarbonate, it's not abrasive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
I see a ton of swirls, so I am assuming you tried the "light polishing compound" by hand. I wouldn't use anything less than a heavy compound and microfiber cutting pads with a machine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
At the end of 1994 I purchased a new Black 94 Corvette Coupe that sat in the dirt lot for months at a dealership, in Mesa Az. The car was a filthy mess and they spent 4 hours detailing it. The water spots were still visible when looking at the surface from a flat on angle. I tried clay bars, vinegar and over 10 other non abrasive products trying to remove these baked on water spots. I finally found something that would remove the water spots that I and the detail crew at the dealership could not remove. The product's name was The Wax Shops Safe Cut. Years later I couldn't find this anywhere and searched high and low. Then I found out that Turtle wax bought them out and the products formula. It was then incorporated in Turtle Wax's Polish and Rubbing Compound in the Black and Green bottles. When it was first introduced their advertising cracked me up, "Nano Technology" was the game. lol I'd try the Rubbing Compound in the green bottle. I also use it on clear polycarbonate, it's not abrasive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,089
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Stuff like that, likely Megs D300 w/ Megs microfiber cutting disc will clean up nicely. If using a DA like a Porter Cable, Harbor Freight or Griots, low (speed 4) and slow (hand movement) is the way to go with that combo. 6 passes, 3 up 3, down alternating cross hatch. Start with 4, see what that gets ya adjust from there. Clean/fluff microfiber pad (compressed air or brush) after finishing each 18" x 18" section.
