Stubborn Water Spots

[crzycicada]

After researching all of the threads and even contacting Sal Zaino himself, I still have many water spots on my Camaro.

Here's the breakdown of what I've tried:
1. CamaroScotty's recommendation of 50/50 vinegar to water solution
2. Z-7 car wash
3. Z-7 car wash and Z-18 (clay bar)
4. 100% vinegar (recommended by Sal)
5. Meguiar's Swirl X 2.0 (saw that someone here recommended it; it sort of worked and got out about half of the water spots on one panel that I tested it on but it seemed to have caused a lot of swirls in the paint. Ironic I know; maybe it's an illusion or something else?)

Any other thoughts? Based on Sal's recommendation, after trying everything he's recommended, his last tidbit of info was to use Z-AIO, in which he said, "If the above still fails, then use Zaino Z-AIO by hand, using very light pressure. This should do the trick."

It's on order now but thought I'd ask other experts like Moose and other forum members what has worked for them for tough (and I mean very very tough) water spots that have probably etched into the clear coat.

[2LTRS]

Sounds like its etched into the paint to me. Can you feel the marks with your fingernail? Like an indent in the paint? If so its definitely etched into the paint.

So assuming it is etched, you can use Zaino's Z-PC with a porter cable (PC) to polish out the etching. If you don't have a porter cable 7424, you may want to take it to a *quality* detailer who specializes in paint correction.

[DetailAddict]

pics?

[SSTony]

somoene offers a mountable filter that removed the chemical that causes water spots. i forgot who sells it

[DetailAddict]

you mean this thing?

Originally Posted by SSTony

somoene offers a mountable filter that removed the chemical that causes water spots. i forgot who sells it

[ckaram]

I use Meguiar's Quick Wax occasionally. You spray it on while the car is wet. Then dry and polish it off. Works well, but I don't have spots etched into the clear coat.

The only time I've had spots is when I've left soap/water on the car too long.

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by 2LTRS

Sounds like its etched into the paint to me. Can you feel the marks with your fingernail? Like an indent in the paint? If so its definitely etched into the paint.

So assuming it is etched, you can use Zaino's Z-PC with a porter cable (PC) to polish out the etching. If you don't have a porter cable 7424, you may want to take it to a *quality* detailer who specializes in paint correction.

It's not quite like an indent in the paint. It's more like a splattered bug and when I run my fingernail across it, the water spot edges start to come off. The issue is that there are too many to do this to each one of them! I've looked into Z-PC and I was surprised Sal didn't recommend that. That might be the last resort if Z-AIO doesn't work. I'm definitely calling him if Z-AIO doesn't work! Thanks for the response and if you have any other ideas, please let me know!

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by DetailAddict

pics?

It got too late to take some pics outside. Will do tomorrow! I'm not sure that they will come out in a pic though because of the glare but I'll give it a shot.

[crzycicada]

Originally Posted by SSTony

somoene offers a mountable filter that removed the chemical that causes water spots. i forgot who sells it

I guess I forgot to mention how these darn water spots got to be left on my car. I was taking a cross country trip (Houston to Orlando last month) and spent the night in Lake Charles, LA at a casino. The casino unfortunately is next to some sort of plant (chemical, concrete, power, oil, ???) so when I woke in the morning to drive out, the car was covered in these water spots. I went straight to a car wash but it was obviously too late so whatever was in the water that was exhausted by the plant, it obviously contained some sort of mineral/chemical a la acid rain. For the past month I've been trying all the things listed above multiple times.

I also forgot to mention that these water spots are obviously on the black rally stripes as well so any suggestions to get those out would be appreciated as well (not sure if a different product is needed or whatnot).

My lessons learned from this trip are:
1. bring a spray bottle of vinegar/water and some towels in preparation for this again
2. don't be surprised that after driving such a long way that there will be lots of rock chips in the car (I have lots of tiny ones!)
3. the gulf coast other than Texas must not have a lot of Camaros because I felt like a celebrity with tons of people coming up to me whenever I would make a pit stop!

[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!

[Adam's Polishes]

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

[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!

[GRSCAMARO]

Originally Posted by Dylan@Adams

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

Clay did nothing for the spots on mine. I did not try the vinegar trick.

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!

Unless the car was just washed, you might scratch the car by wiping off the water spots. I wiped the morning dew off of mine at the C5F with a micro fiber towel and put fine scratches all over the car. I guess the ABM shows every flaw.

[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.