Really bad water spots...

[STUNNAH]

Jeez, I knew better but due to recent illness I left my car uncovered for a month...Now the hood, top and trunk have terrible water spots that I can't get out with any of the products that I have, McQuire mostly...Trying to get the spots removed by hand not comfortable using buffers...Any advise is appreciated...As a last resort I'll take it to a detail shop...

[SummitWhite11]

Try using Mothers California Gold Caranuba Wash and Wax. Dry the car then use the TurtleWax bug remover spray for any hard water spot problem areas. Last use the Surf City Garage -Black Edge Detailer spray for the whole car. I had this problem too and this seems to work for me.

[BAD DAB]

A complete paint restoration should do the trick. Don't be afraid of using a machine. You will get the best results with a machine. The Porter Cable 7424xp is a good machine and it's almost impossible to damage you paint. Strip your old wax off, clay bar, Some type of swirl & haze remover, then polish and wax. There is a detail guy on youtube. He goes by the name The Junkman. These videos should help you get the result you are looking for. Dark colors are not easy to keep up and require some hard work.

[lbls1]

Use a good paint cleaner, such as meguiars or P21S. The megs will probably be more aggressive and will make short work out of the water spots. Also try 3M brand of swirl mark remover or cleaner polish by hand. If you have an orbital buffer, then the megs or 3m with a polishing pad will do the trick.

I'm recommending the above polishes if you just want to take care of the water spotting and stop short of a full detail. Of course, if you need a full detail then just plan your attack with your array of products, and wait for the set of days to complete it...and go to town.

One last tidbit: I've found that a healthy dose of wax will fight off water spots. I haven't had to deal with water spotting since.........???? Even on my DD. I believe my new DD was well detailed prior to my purchase this year, and so far no water spots on it as well!!!

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Have you tried going over them with some distilled white vinegar?

Most all water spots are caused by calcium in the water. Distilled white vinegar is lightly acidic, and will remove calcium deposits that haven't etched into the clear coat.

If they are etched, the only way you'll remove them is polishing.

[Adam's Polishes]

Check this link out on removing water spots.

http://adamspolishes.com/how-to-remove-water-spots

[STUNNAH]

Thank you all for your responses...If I use the distilled vinegar will the car need a wash or can I go directly to a wax???Thanks in advance...

This want happen again if I have to crawl outside to put the cover on...lol

[STUNNAH]

Originally Posted by Jus1dab

A complete paint restoration should do the trick. Don't be afraid of using a machine. You will get the best results with a machine. The Porter Cable 7424xp is a good machine and it's almost impossible to damage you paint. Strip your old wax off, clay bar, Some type of swirl & haze remover, then polish and wax. There is a detail guy on youtube. He goes by the name The Junkman. These videos should help you get the result you are looking for. Dark colors are not easy to keep up and require some hard work.

The Junkman knows his stuff...

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by STUNNAH

Thank you all for your responses...If I use the distilled vinegar will the car need a wash or can I go directly to a wax???Thanks in advance...

This want happen again if I have to crawl outside to put the cover on...lol

If it just has garage dust, use a rinseless or waterless wash first. Do just 1 section first, to be sure the vinegar works.

After the vinegar, wipe down area with either distilled water, detail spray, or waterless wash, then apply wax.

Superficial water spots that cam be removed with vinegar look like this. Mineral deposits just sitting on the surface. Generally known as Type 1 water spots.

http://www.carwashgenie.com/images/Type1WaterSpot.jpg

Etched water spots where the spot has gone into the clear coat, these require polishing to remove. Type 2 water spots.

http://www.carwashgenie.com/images/Type2WaterSpot.jpg

It's possible that you could have both types of these on your car.

[ZED SLED]

This happened to mine last year. Type 2 spots. Vinegar didn't work. No level of Adams worked. Took it by the dealer and they applied 3M Perfect-It rubbing compound to an area and that worked. I bought a bottle and did the rest, by hand. After that I polished, sealed and waxed. No more spots.

[STUNNAH]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

If it just has garage dust, use a rinseless or waterless wash first. Do just 1 section first, to be sure the vinegar works.

After the vinegar, wipe down area with either distilled water, detail spray, or waterless wash, then apply wax.

Superficial water spots that cam be removed with vinegar look like this. Mineral deposits just sitting on the surface. Generally known as Type 1 water spots.

http://www.carwashgenie.com/images/Type1WaterSpot.jpg

Etched water spots where the spot has gone into the clear coat, these require polishing to remove. Type 2 water spots.

http://www.carwashgenie.com/images/Type2WaterSpot.jpg

It's possible that you could have both types of these on your car.

I have a combination of the two...

[STUNNAH]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

This happened to mine last year. Type 2 spots. Vinegar didn't work. No level of Adams worked. Took it by the dealer and they applied 3M Perfect-It rubbing compound to an area and that worked. I bought a bottle and did the rest, by hand. After that I polished, sealed and waxed. No more spots.

Thanks this looks like the option I may have to take...

[STUNNAH]

Thanks for all the info gents...I really appreciate it...

[WoodBoss]

3M Finishing Glaze is used after compound to take out the slight scratches the compound makes. It's more aggressive than a cleaner wax but less aggressive than compound. I would use that first with a foam pad on a buffer or polisher. Foam pads will not burn clear coat. Try a small area first.