Hard Water spots
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From: San Francisco, CA
Hard Water spots
I'm an idiot. I was driving to Davis, CA and smashed into a bug. I used the water from my gf's apartment to try to wash off the bug juice. I didn't bother drying the car and now there are these white water spots on my hood. They rub off but they leave that nasty ring. What do you guys recommend for getting that off?
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As a rule keep a bottle of quick detail spray and a couple MF towels in your car at all times, particularly if you have black paint. This helps clean bug splat, bird droppings, etc. Make sure to spray on generously and let it soak before wiping away.
To clean up the water spots after the fact you might try a diluted jug of white vinegar. I found this article years ago for a problem I had after my car got hit with a sprinkler and the spots dried in the sun.
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-p...sh-clinic.html
To clean up the water spots after the fact you might try a diluted jug of white vinegar. I found this article years ago for a problem I had after my car got hit with a sprinkler and the spots dried in the sun.
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-p...sh-clinic.html
Water Spots Will Ruin Car Paint!
The same water you use to bathe your car can also damage your car's paint. The spots and damage are caused by the minerals in the water. When water evaporates off of your car's paint, it leaves behind the trace elements it contains. Calcium and metals are the most damaging ingredients found in your tap water. Rainwater may contain damaging acids from air pollutants.
Getting rid of water spots is easy if you chase after them. The best solution is to use a quick detailing spray after you wash, or as soon as you discover the spots (i.e., when your neighbor's sprinkler gets you).
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. Believe it or not, the best acid is also the least expensive and most available: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar.
Expert car detailers have known this secret for years. If you take your car 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.
To give your car the magic acid bath, first wash your car with your normal car shampoo, rinse, and 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, and then rinse. When you're done, wash the car again with shampoo, and then rinse. By the way, vinegar will remove your wax, so be prepared to re-wax your car 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). It is necessary to use a polish or mild polishing compound to restore the paint surface.
The same water you use to bathe your car can also damage your car's paint. The spots and damage are caused by the minerals in the water. When water evaporates off of your car's paint, it leaves behind the trace elements it contains. Calcium and metals are the most damaging ingredients found in your tap water. Rainwater may contain damaging acids from air pollutants.
Getting rid of water spots is easy if you chase after them. The best solution is to use a quick detailing spray after you wash, or as soon as you discover the spots (i.e., when your neighbor's sprinkler gets you).
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. Believe it or not, the best acid is also the least expensive and most available: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar.
Expert car detailers have known this secret for years. If you take your car 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.
To give your car the magic acid bath, first wash your car with your normal car shampoo, rinse, and 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, and then rinse. When you're done, wash the car again with shampoo, and then rinse. By the way, vinegar will remove your wax, so be prepared to re-wax your car 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). It is necessary to use a polish or mild polishing compound to restore the paint surface.
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Claybar and wax didn't really help. You can definately see those nasty circles on the paint in the sun.
I'll try the vinegar method
http://www.heinzvinegar.com/vinegars/whitevinegar.aspx
Is that the kinda vinegar I want...something you can buy at safeways?
Wipe the vinegar on and let the acid work its magic?
I'll try the vinegar method
http://www.heinzvinegar.com/vinegars/whitevinegar.aspx
Is that the kinda vinegar I want...something you can buy at safeways?
Wipe the vinegar on and let the acid work its magic?
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 216
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From: San Francisco, CA
Trending Topics
work in small area at a time
spray plenty of lubricants on the surface that is contaminated
rub back and forth using light pressure with the clay until the surface is smooth
when done, wipe the area with a microfiber towel
at this point, those area you clay bar should be smooth like glass
after clay bar, you can either use polish or wax
check out the "detailing" thread for more useful info
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