I was watching modern marvels and they did a segment on car washes. They had a representative from mothers give carwashing tips and one was how to remove the waterspots on windows and trim (including chrome). They said to use distilled vinegar mixed with water, put it on a clean cotton cloth and wipe the window, the spots should then dissapear. Ill be trying this soon but thought yall would want to know how to get rid of these damn spots.
Removal of waterspots on windows and trim
- Thread starter mgerst1
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Ya, it works around my home fixtures too. Just be careful not to expose your paint to it.
ThrillRide
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Very common method. You can use it on the paint as well, just have to make sure you wash and wax after.
I'm surprised that a Mother's rep would give an old school DIY and detailers method instead of boasting one of their own products for the job.
I'm surprised that a Mother's rep would give an old school DIY and detailers method instead of boasting one of their own products for the job.
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Vinegar did not work on my 05 3 HB, used barkeepers friend with a "delicate scrub pad", made a paste out of the barkeepers friend powder on the scrub pad and kept scrubbing with light pressure, doing this several times, took the majority of the water spots off, but some are still there, but nothing else would work for me. Car must have been parked outside alot or hard water in the area before I bought 11/08.
ThrillRide
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If a cleaner or claybar doesn't do the job that may mean the spots have etched into the paint. Once a spot has etched in you will have to polish the paint to remove (probably by machine).
But if you'd like to try another cleaner.....Try a dedicated paint cleaner product. Meg's makes one you can get in stores but it isn't very strong. P21s Makes one that I like. Also try P21S Total Auto Wash (S100 total Cycle wash).
AIOs have been known to work also, i.e. Klasse AIO.
But if you'd like to try another cleaner.....Try a dedicated paint cleaner product. Meg's makes one you can get in stores but it isn't very strong. P21s Makes one that I like. Also try P21S Total Auto Wash (S100 total Cycle wash).
AIOs have been known to work also, i.e. Klasse AIO.
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TAW is safe for the entire car. (its called total auto wash after all) Its used as a presoak for extremely dirty cars, to loosen up built up grime and whatnot.
Etched water marks have to be machine polished out. its possible to remove them by hand, but prepare to have a sore elbow, and be exhausted for polishing the same area for a couple hours.
For extremely badly stained glass there are glass polishing pads, but i have yet to try any of them, or any products related to glass polishing.
Etched water marks have to be machine polished out. its possible to remove them by hand, but prepare to have a sore elbow, and be exhausted for polishing the same area for a couple hours.
For extremely badly stained glass there are glass polishing pads, but i have yet to try any of them, or any products related to glass polishing.
ThrillRide
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Yes all are fine for the windows as well. And if you use Klasse or some other AIO you will have sealed windows so it will be less likely to happen the next time.
the vinegar is meant mainly for windows, im not sure about the effectiveness of the paint. i can tell you that ever since i got my california jelly blade i dont get waterspots on the paint. that thing takes all the water off the car really well
be sure to wipe it with a cloth after each swipe.
California water blades are notorious for marring cars.
Ensure that there is no grit on the surface or you will leave tiny fine marks, if not bigger.
let me know if the mx7 works, the vinegar fix didn't work. gotta make adobo with the rest.
I use that at the very end to get what i cant with a microfiber cloth, but thanks for a heads up.
ThrillRide
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Vinegar works on most surfaces.
As NC stated, be careful with that jelly blade. They can do some real damage. Not to mention the blade itself will leave fine marring, but if you ever trap even the smallest particle under that blad you are gonna have some nasty issues.
Here's what I did on a recent detail.
Window Correction:
Tools and Products
Before shots
50/50 shots
After shots
Window Correction:
Tools and Products
Dewalt DW849
M04 Heavy-Cut Cleaner
D120 Glass Cleaner Concentrate, 10:1
Buff & Shine 3" Backing Plate 5/8" Thread Rotary
Buff & Shine 3" Wool Cutting Pad
3M blue painter's tape
Microfiber (mf)
Process
Clean windows with D120 and mf.
Mask window trim w/ blue tape. Add strip for 50/50 assessment.
Apply M04 to wool pad.
Work M04 to window using DW849 until product breaks down waterspots. You can actually see after 1-2 passes.
Wipe off with mf.
If all is well, continue to work entire window.
Add M04 to mf and rub areas near trim that you can't get with the wool pad.
Clean windows with D120 and mf.
Tools and Products
Before shots
50/50 shots
After shots
ThrillRide
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Thats a lot of work for a simple job....unless they were really that stuck on. I have yet to encounter water spots on windows that needed machine polising. And that wool pad could induce marring, leading to yet another polishing step...or two. If you are going to machine polish glass I would stick with specific pads (like lake country makes) for the job, or a lesser cut foam pad.
