Water Spot Solution!

freebirdz · December 2, 2004

I thought that I would pass on this money saving little tip to those of you that don't already know it.

If you have hard water spots on your truck you may want to listen up.

Water spot solution:

Expert auto detailers have known this secret for years. If water spots on your truck are allowed to dry and bake on, they will attach to and harden on your paint. If you take your truck to a pro, they will tell you about the "magic acid bath" and charge you $60 or more for the pleasure of smelling like a pickle.

Save the $60, put on some gloves, and get to it. You need to use a mild acid to get them loose. Believe it or not, the best acid is also the least expensive and most available: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar!

To give your truck the magic acid bath, first wash your truck with your normal car shampoo, rinse, then use the distilled vinegar. Just wipe it on with a sponge, and rub it in. Do one section at a time, let it sit 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse. When you're done, wash the truck again with shampoo and rinse. By the way, vinegar will remove your wax. So, be prepared to re-wax your truck after the vinegar treatment.

If water spots are allowed to stay for more than a week or so, the minerals will etch the paint. In this case, using vinegar will remove the mineral spots, but the paint will have etched spots (dimples). In this case, it is necessary to use a medium cut polish or fine cut polishing compound to restore the paint surface.

Hope this helps someone!

SlamminL5s · December 2, 2004

interesting.... i dont like pickles!! hehe

kjjz28 · January 10, 2005

Freebirdz....very interesting info. I just noticed water spots on my truck a week or so ago and wasn't sure how they got there (I just bought the truck about 3 weeks ago and didn't recall seeing them). I had sprayed off some bird droppings at a local car wash and when I hand-washed the truck yesterday, the spots were still there. What causes the spots and do you think I'm to the point I'll have to use the vinegar and still polish? What wax do you recommend? Thanks!

freebirdz · January 11, 2005

Freebirdz....very interesting info. I just noticed water spots on my truck a week or so ago and wasn't sure how they got there (I just bought the truck about 3 weeks ago and didn't recall seeing them). I had sprayed off some bird droppings at a local car wash and when I hand-washed the truck yesterday, the spots were still there. What causes the spots and do you think I'm to the point I'll have to use the vinegar and still polish? What wax do you recommend? Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The spots and damage are caused by the minerals in the water. When water evaporates off of your truck's paint, it leaves behind the trace elements it contains. Calcium and metals are the most damaging elements found in your tap water, whereas rainwater may contain damaging acids from air pollutants.

If the spots are allowed to dry and bake on, they will attach to and harden on your paint. When this happens, you need to use a mild acid to get them loose. (Distilled White Vinegar)

The key is to let the vinegar do its job. Let it sit for 30 - 60 seconds before rinsing off. Do one section at a time and then rinse. When you're done, wash the truck again with shampoo and rinse. Dry the truck with a good microfiber drying towel and make sure you get every last drop. Follow up using a quick detailing spray and a good microfiber detailing towel.

The key to preventing these kind of water spots in the future is to chase after them right away. The best solution is to use a quick detailing spray after you wash as mentioned above, or as soon as you discover the spots (i.e., when your neighbor's sprinkler gets you).

As far as having to polish, you will have to see what happens after you use the vinegar. If a noticable blemish is still visible you will probably have to polish with a Medium Cut Polish or a Fine Cut Polishing Compound, depending on the severity of the blemish.

The wax that I recommend is P21S Carnauba Wax. It is especially good on dark colored vehicles. Another great wax is Pinnacle Signature Series Wax

If you have water spots on your glass, you can try the vinegar or another product that I've found to work well is Glass Cooktop Cleaner or Bar Keepers Friend (available at Wal-Mart). You can also try Bar Keepers Friend with Lime and Rust Remover. I haven't tried this myself but have heard a few people recommend it.

Bar Keepers Friend is abrasive and will scratch. Make sure to utilize alot of water when using it.

I take a large terry towel and place it at the base of the windshield above the wiper cowl. This is to prevent any run off from the windshield getting onto the plastic and causing problems. Do this for both the BKF and the vinegar. Don't forget to pull the wipers back out of the way too.

Whatever you decide to do, take your time and do it right. Good Luck and I hope I was of some help to you.

-Jerod

black&grayHD · January 11, 2005

hcvone · January 19, 2005

Freebirdz....very interesting info. I just noticed water spots on my truck a week or so ago and wasn't sure how they got there (I just bought the truck about 3 weeks ago and didn't recall seeing them). I had sprayed off some bird droppings at a local car wash and when I hand-washed the truck yesterday, the spots were still there. What causes the spots and do you think I'm to the point I'll have to use the vinegar and still polish? What wax do you recommend? Thanks!

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Bird droppings can etch into the clear coat of your paint, it's best to get bird droppings off before they bake on, of course some times that is not possible. I use 3M Scratch and Swirl Remover, this can be used by hand or with a buffer like the Porter Cable, clean the area with car wash, you may try claying the area, but you will probably need something with a mild abrasive like 3M SSR, when applying try to go in one direction, not circular it will leave marks that are hard to get out, when etching is gone finish with your favorite polish/wax.

kjjz28 · January 21, 2005

Hey folks....I tried using the Meguiars 3 step system, (Crystal Paint Cleaner, Crystal Paint Polish & Gold Wax) and most of the spots came out but not all of them. I went back, washed the truck, used the distilled white vinegar, re-soaped, rinsed and you can still see some outlines of the spots. I've seen some info on Sonus SFX. Has anybody used this? Should my next step be using a buffer? Thanks!

Grayz71 · January 22, 2005

Hey folks....I tried using the Meguiars 3 step system, (Crystal Paint Cleaner, Crystal Paint Polish & Gold Wax) and most of the spots came out but not all of them. I went back, washed the truck, used the distilled white vinegar, re-soaped, rinsed and you can still see some outlines of the spots. I've seen some info on Sonus SFX. Has anybody used this? Should my next step be using a buffer? Thanks!

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Sonus SFX-2 is da bomb for removing swirl marks with the PC.

Sonus SFX2