Hard Water Spots on Car...

[MNm3]

Hey Guys,

I made the mistake of parking my car by the grass at my girlfriend's apt overnight and the sprinklers douched the car with some very hard water. There are a bunch on hard water spots now on the car and even after I wash the thing, they are still faintly there.

What is a good way to remove hard water spots?

[M3ltdown]

Try in this order:

-Claying (will most likely remove the mineral deposits; will not remove etching on clear coat)
-Chemical Guys Water Spot remover (acidic base... better at removing mineral deposits, not strong enough to remove etching from clear coat)
-Polishing (PC 7424XP, try using Meguiars M205 with a white pad to see if you can buff it out. If not go with a denser foam pad, like orange, or even M205)

[WillC310]

You can also try a mix of vinegar and water from what I hear.

[FruitCake]

Originally Posted by WillC310

You can also try a mix of vinegar and water from what I hear.

Yep try that before moving onto more harsh chemcals

[Envious Eric]

Originally Posted by darwin316

Try in this order:
vinegar
chrome polish
-Claying (will most likely remove the mineral deposits; will not remove etching on clear coat)
-Chemical Guys Water Spot remover (acidic base... better at removing mineral deposits, not strong enough to remove etching from clear coat)
-Polishing (PC 7424XP, try using Meguiars M205 with a white pad to see if you can buff it out. If not go with a denser foam pad, like orange, or even M205)

fixed it for you...

some people doubt me, but sometimes chrome polish works wonders! just be sure to wash after and polish/wax. i doubt any harmful effects, but I am not a chemist, so I error on the side of caution

[TOGWT]

Removing ‘Water spots’

Always start by using the least abrasive product first-

1. Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner or Duragloss 501)
2. Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the effected surface with Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner
4. Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules
5. Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the paint surface
6. Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
7. Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or 3000 grit finishing paper

TOGWT ™ Ltd (Established 1980) © Copyright 2002-2010, all rights reserved

[M3ltdown]

I know that people like to use vinegar but it has never worked for me...then again, my spots were always etched into the clear coat so polishing was the only avenue left for me to do.

[johnL]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

Removing ‘Water spots’

Always start by using the least abrasive product first-

1. Use a paint surface cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner or Duragloss 501)
2. Try to dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;
a) Use a 2:1 or stronger solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)
b) Try a 2:1 solution of distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)
c) Or equal parts distilled water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the effected surface with Klasse All-In-One or Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner
4. Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules
5. Use a machine polish (Optimum Polish, Optimum Compound) and a cutting (LC White, Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4- 5.0) to level the paint surface
6. Use the least aggressive polish/foam pad first, if this doesn’t remove the problem step-up to a more aggressive polish / foam pad set-up
7. Wet-sand with 2000, 2500 or 3000 grit finishing paper

TOGWT ™ Ltd (Established 1980) © Copyright 2002-2010, all rights reserved

Thanks!!! Just what I was looking for.