Stubborn Water Spots

[Betblak]

Just had a similar issue on my black paint. Tried all the same stuff from vinegar to claybar and nothing worked. Finally went to a detailer who used a simple cleaner wax and took out all the spots by hand. I was laying bricks til he made it look so easy (lots of elbow grease). He could recommend Meguires if I had to find a store brand to fix it again. Good luck.

[Adam's Polishes]

Originally Posted by BdNflnc

The thing I never see ANYBODY ever realize or mention is the fact that these spots are created from mineral deposits in the water, left behind after the water evaporates. So if you have water spots, just lightly wipe them with a damp cloth. You are reintroducing water the the deposits, and will lift them right off. Simple fix... and its free!

If only it were that simple/easy.

Water spots range from the kind you're referring to all the way up to surface etching. The mild variety do come off with water, but these are the kind you might get after a wash... if you get to them early they come off with nothing more than a wipe of a damp cloth.

The gnarlier variety is actual paint etching... this is where a mineral deposit has sat, been baked in by high heat and sunlight, and has physically eaten a ring into to the finish. This can require anything from polish all the way up to wet sanding to correct depending on the severity.

The range in between will include spots that won't wash off, but the mineral deposits can be removed with clay, others might take as little as a wipe with vinegar. It all depends on the individual circumstances. Trust me, I've seen some water spots that have been so bad the only way to get rid of them was to sand.

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by GRSCAMARO

I just fixed my car this weekend.....

I was on a business trip and parked my car at the airport next to a shrub. Much to my surprise, the hood was covered with large filthy water spots when I returned 6 days later. I believe the shrubs were watered with reclaimed water.

I tried washing the car and tried using Zaino detailing spray but the spots were too deep. Finally I broke out the Porter-Cable and the Zaino Z-PC. The white applicator took out most of the spots after an hour of buffing but I had to switch to the more agressive orange disk with the Porter-Cable on 6 to remove the spots. End result the hood looks better than new!

Thanks for the advice. I'm really hoping not to have to resort to power tools but if that's what it'll take, I'll do it!

Originally Posted by Dylan@Adams

Now I maybe missing something here, but I saw no mention of clay... did you claybar?

Yes, I used Z-18...the clay bar (twice actually) and no luck.

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by Viral

Like Dylan, I was about to suggest a claybar. I'm surprised to hear that didn't help. Well, sounds like Sal is working his way up the abrasive ladder, trying to have you use the least abrasive at a time. I'd do as he suggests and try Z-AIO first and if that doesn't work, Z-PC on an orange pad WILL remove the water spots, if you have to go that aggressive.

That's what I assume too that good ol' Sal is working up the abrasive chain. I'm willing to bet that if Z-AIO doesn't work he'll recommend the Z-PC.

Quick question, will the Z-PC or orange pad be ok to use on the stripes?

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by Betblak

Just had a similar issue on my black paint. Tried all the same stuff from vinegar to claybar and nothing worked. Finally went to a detailer who used a simple cleaner wax and took out all the spots by hand. I was laying bricks til he made it look so easy (lots of elbow grease). He could recommend Meguires if I had to find a store brand to fix it again. Good luck.

Cleaner wax? I did a quick Google search on it and it seems like it strips the old wax while applying new wax all at the same time. Wouldn't I get the same effect if I were to Dawn the car and then just reapply wax? Is cleaner wax more abrasive or more effective? That's actually a good point though that I didn't think about; maybe the water spots are etched into the clear coat and they are difficult to remove because the old wax is still on it? I haven't tried starting from scratch (removing old wax with Dawn, regular wash, clay bar, wax) but I'm thinking maybe I should...hmmm....

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by Dylan@Adams

If only it were that simple/easy.

Water spots range from the kind you're referring to all the way up to surface etching. The mild variety do come off with water, but these are the kind you might get after a wash... if you get to them early they come off with nothing more than a wipe of a damp cloth.

The gnarlier variety is actual paint etching... this is where a mineral deposit has sat, been baked in by high heat and sunlight, and has physically eaten a ring into to the finish. This can require anything from polish all the way up to wet sanding to correct depending on the severity.

The range in between will include spots that won't wash off, but the mineral deposits can be removed with clay, others might take as little as a wipe with vinegar. It all depends on the individual circumstances. Trust me, I've seen some water spots that have been so bad the only way to get rid of them was to sand.

Agreed! I think my case was a combination of whatever was in the water coming from that plant leaving a nasty deposit and not getting to it fast enough and washing it off. I'm thinking though that whatever was in that water was acidic enough or harsh enough that it wouldn't have mattered when I could have gotten to a car wash. I guess I'll never know though and can only deal with the situation at hand. If only it were as easy as a fresh summer's rain where you can easily wipe off the water spots...trust me, I've been trying for a month now!

Thanks everyone for the great feedback and advice!

[Viral]

Originally Posted by crzycicada

That's what I assume too that good ol' Sal is working up the abrasive chain. I'm willing to bet that if Z-AIO doesn't work he'll recommend the Z-PC.

Quick question, will the Z-PC or orange pad be ok to use on the stripes?

If your stripes are vinyl decals, then NO! you shouldn't use any abrasives on vinyl stripes, nor a porter cable at all! You should only use z7, z2, z5,z6, z8 or clear seal on vinyl.

If they are painted and clear coated though, then sure. Treat them like the rest of your painted panels.

[Betblak]

Originally Posted by crzycicada

Cleaner wax? ......maybe the water spots are etched into the clear coat and they are difficult to remove because the old wax is still on it? I haven't tried starting from scratch (removing old wax with Dawn, regular wash, clay bar, wax) but I'm thinking maybe I should...hmmm....

That's what I'm thinking because I washed mine twice before I tried stripping the wax with Dawn and even then the wax held up, water beaded up like Dawn didn't work. So I think the spots were embedded in the wax, not yet to the clear coat. Yours could be worse than mine but if you're lucky cleaner wax might do the trick.

[calflan]

Same issue with mine. Do not feel Zaino a good protectant for the paint. For the cost of that polish and all the others that came in my kit (and likley the one you bought), unless you parked next to 3 mile island, overnight should'nt etch your paint to the level you mention. I'm looking for a good solid quality reliable wax / polsih that doesn't have to break the bank account ... and ceratinly don't care to hear of the next product I need to buy, after the last one they sold me did'nt work. That could turn into a blank check, if you know what I mean. Can't imagine there is nothing out there that simply takes care of concerns for what you and I have experienced.

[Viral]

You can't judge Zaino vicariously through one example. I use Zaino products also and have a perfect example of how it did help recently.

I gave my wife's Acadia a good wash and Zaino treatment at the beginning of May. My mom is visiting and her Altima coupe (with most likely no wax at all) was parked right next to the Acadia in our driveway this weekend and the next door neighbor's sprinkler was blown all over both cars. They sat all day in the 100 degree sun on Sunday and overnight. Monday afternoon, I finally had a few free hours and decided those cars needed washing to remove the water spots. After an hour of scrubbing the hood, I barely made a dent in them on my mom's car. I finally gave up, finished the wash and dry and moved on to my wife's Acadia.

Just the soap and water took them off without any scrubbing or effort. After the wash/dry, it looks freshly polished again! This isn't meant to compare to the OP's situation, but it does show how a Zaino'd surface made WORLD of difference compared to an untreated surface during the exact same event.

Zaino didn't become one of THE most respected and proven automotive polish brands in the world by accident.

[crzycicada]

Well I can't say whether Zaino failed or whatever was in the water would have eaten through any brand's wax so I'm still keeping an open mind. I'm certainly not a brand loyalist and will go with whatever works, best value, etc. I've had good success with Zaino but have also tried Meguiar's to remove the spots too so I will buy whatever will work!

[calflan]

I'll judge Zaino off my experience, especially given the price of their polish. How else am I supposed to make a decision on what works.
We'd used Meguairs on dark cars we've owned before and I never experienced the issues to the degree I do now with my car, so sorry if I sound bitter for those Zaino enthusiasts, but I am disappointed. I'm glad to hear the story of the Acadia and would even question the method I applied the Zaino, but I went specifically by the instructions as far as Dawn, claybar and applications, as well as cure time, for the different Zaino polishes. I'm also annoyed that given the time put into to the complete Zaino application, ther results I have been less than expected as far as durability. Have always been a detail oriented car entusiast and have waxed, compounded, etc. etc. cars for years. I've never had to put in the time the Zaino application demanded and feel I've had better long term results.

Sorry if those disagree and sincerely glad the product suits your needs, but this is my personal experience.

[Mark's SS]

Same thing here with the water spots. I just had to polish mine again. After washing, clay bar, I used Zaino-PC and an orange pad to remove the water spots (and some fine scratches). Then z5 and z2. The paint looks great again. Keeping this car looking good is alot of work, but worth it.

To keep the water spots to a minimum, I use the spot free rinse water at the car wash and hand dry. Then just keep it as clean as possible with detail spray. Zaino works for me. To the OP, you will probably have to polish those water spots to remove them.

Does anyone know if those filters for your hose really work. I would like to be able to wash and rinse the car at home but with my hard water I always get water spots and then the process starts all over again.

[SSizzle]

I use Meguiars Ultimate wash & wax it has carnauba wax and synthetic polymers, its yellow, works great. Then use Eagle One Wax as you dry and a chamoi to dry, then use Meguiars Spray Wax, and a micro fiber towel after every wash. No spots, water just beads off if it gets wet. Its a lot easier and quicker than hand waxing.