Water spots?

Jul 4th, 2015 9:53 pm

#1

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 4th, 2015 9:53 pm

Hey guys, need some help here. Took my wife's car out this morning and noticed some rust coloured splashes here and there on the front passenger side - when I cleaned them off, there was a residue left underneath. Now I'm finding these spots in various places (roof, trunk, rear glass, hood, front quarter panel)... but all on the passenger side. Not sure if maybe where she parks there is a rusty pipe dripping or something? Anyway, I'm assuming these are water spots and nothing more at this point, but I can't get them off. I've been trying to locate some water spot remover locally but with little luck... I'm attaching some photos below, anyone have any comments or ideas on what this is, and how to remove it? The car is only 5 months old so I'd like to get it cleaned up... thanks in advance for any help.

Jul 4th, 2015 9:55 pm

#2

jswift79: Deal Addict; Oct 11, 2008; 1375 posts; 282 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 4th, 2015 9:55 pm

u can use a quick detailer, or a spray wax on paint

invisible glass on the glass

edit: u can also hand polish the water spots out

+1

Jul 4th, 2015 10:13 pm

#3

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 4th, 2015 10:13 pm

jswift79 wrote: ↑u can use a quick detailer, or a spray wax on paint

invisible glass on the glass

edit: u can also hand polish the water spots out

I tried invisible glass on the glass, no luck. Any suggestions for a spray wax?

Jul 4th, 2015 10:16 pm

#4

Swswswish: Deal Fanatic; Apr 15, 2011; 5834 posts; 1220 upvotes; aGincourt

Jul 4th, 2015 10:16 pm

Do you park under a tree?

Btw nice brembo calipers

Jul 4th, 2015 10:17 pm

#5

jswift79: Deal Addict; Oct 11, 2008; 1375 posts; 282 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 4th, 2015 10:17 pm

steve-0101 wrote: ↑I tried invisible glass on the glass, no luck. Any suggestions for a spray wax?

i like the Meguiar's Final Inspection M34, and Ultimate Quick Detailer. u can get those at Part Source

u can get the 1 gallon jugs online of the same stuff for $34-ish

+1

Jul 4th, 2015 10:22 pm

#6

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 4th, 2015 10:22 pm

Swswswish wrote: ↑Do you park under a tree?

Btw nice brembo calipers

I don't think she did... always parked in our garage or in her above ground covered parking lot @ work. Just weird that it's only in certain spots.

Thanks, but they're not brembo... they're stock VW calipers (GLI)

Jul 4th, 2015 10:23 pm

#7

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 4th, 2015 10:23 pm

jswift79 wrote: ↑i like the Meguiar's Final Inspection M34, and Ultimate Quick Detailer. u can get those at Part Source

u can get the 1 gallon jugs online of the same stuff for $34-ish

Alright, I'll check that out... so no need for the true water spot remover stuff then?

Jul 4th, 2015 10:27 pm

#8

jswift79: Deal Addict; Oct 11, 2008; 1375 posts; 282 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 4th, 2015 10:27 pm

steve-0101 wrote: ↑Alright, I'll check that out... so no need for the true water spot remover stuff then?

u can try a water spot remover if u want. i always thought "water spot remover" were re-labeled detailer sprays lol

i had water spots that were etched into the bumper, and used Meguiar's ScratchX to take them off

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 3:24 am

#9

fboybcb: Deal Addict; Nov 7, 2007; 3203 posts; 883 upvotes; Northern Hemisphere

Jul 5th, 2015 3:24 am

I had a similar situation but mine were big spots and I had a few on the roof and front hood. Took it in to the mechanic and they tried to get rid of it with some fluid but failed. However if you live in the Markham, there's a car wash below pmall that they helped me remove it.

For wars they come and go, but my soldiers stay eternal.- Tupac

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 10:13 am

#10

betamaxman: Deal Fanatic; Dec 27, 2006; 6225 posts; 3095 upvotes; Cornwall PE

Jul 5th, 2015 10:13 am

Try a clay bar, or white vinegar. But note you will need to rewax.

Dun with posting deals.
My STORAGE SHED!
Linux User 412309

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 10:14 am

#11

nielboy: Deal Addict; Jun 12, 2008; 3369 posts; 949 upvotes; Ancaster

Jul 5th, 2015 10:14 am

You could try CarPro Spotless or Optimum's version.

Both will work really well on most water spotting problems, unless the water spots have etched the paint surface.

http://www.carpro-us.com/auto-wash/spot ... ver-500ml/

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-mdr-wat ... mover.html

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 11:06 am

#12

bembol: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2006; 19320 posts; 3007 upvotes; Woodbridge

Jul 5th, 2015 11:06 am

Clay Bar and Polish should take care of it.

"I'll put up color bars before I'll put you in front of our cameras."

- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 11:24 am

#13

gh05t: Deal Fanatic; Sep 16, 2004; 9779 posts; 2036 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 5th, 2015 11:24 am

Wonder if CLR would take those off.

Looks like rain drops pretty much boiled/baked on the paint.

Cooking and leaving whatever dissolved minerals/pollutants there might have been in it or on the car.

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 11:49 am

#14

Kasakato: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2005; 22391 posts; 3267 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2015 11:49 am

They may be etched below the surface if that is what's left once you removed it. If that's the case a polish is the best option. Then wax or seal the paint to prevent future damage.

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 7:41 pm

#15

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 5th, 2015 7:41 pm

An update....

Went out this morning and bought Meguiars Final Inspection, bottle said it would treat water spots, no luck. Moved to Meguiars Ultimate Compound, worked like a charm with a bit of elbow grease. Invisible glass slowly worked the spots of the glass... after about 10 applications and some severe rubbing. Finished with a Mother's Caranuba Wash and Wax to clean it all up.

Want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I'd still like to know what caused it, to make sure it doesn't happen again!

Jul 5th, 2015 7:50 pm

#16

jswift79: Deal Addict; Oct 11, 2008; 1375 posts; 282 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 5th, 2015 7:50 pm

steve-0101 wrote: ↑An update....

Went out this morning and bought Meguiars Final Inspection, bottle said it would treat water spots, no luck. Moved to Meguiars Ultimate Compound, worked like a charm with a bit of elbow grease. Invisible glass slowly worked the spots of the glass... after about 10 applications and some severe rubbing. Finished with a Mother's Caranuba Wash and Wax to clean it all up.

Want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I'd still like to know what caused it, to make sure it doesn't happen again!

congrats! on removing the water spots. Ultimate Compound takes a little layer off the clear coat and levels out a new surface. u can use the Final Inspection for touchups after a car wash, or a lubricant for claying

does your wife park in a place that has automatic lawn sprinkers?

+1

Jul 5th, 2015 8:46 pm

#17

Kasakato: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2005; 22391 posts; 3267 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2015 8:46 pm

steve-0101 wrote: ↑An update....

Went out this morning and bought Meguiars Final Inspection, bottle said it would treat water spots, no luck. Moved to Meguiars Ultimate Compound, worked like a charm with a bit of elbow grease. Invisible glass slowly worked the spots of the glass... after about 10 applications and some severe rubbing. Finished with a Mother's Caranuba Wash and Wax to clean it all up.

Want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I'd still like to know what caused it, to make sure it doesn't happen again!

Get some Sonax net shield or a wax on there ASAP and prevent anything like that from sticking.

+1

Jul 6th, 2015 12:05 am

#18

PCUSER: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1839 posts; 275 upvotes; Markham

Jul 6th, 2015 12:05 am

Does your wife drive on the hiway to get to work or recently?
I've seen some pretty crappy and disgusting looking garbage disposal trucks driving along and dripping stuff along the road

+1

Jul 6th, 2015 7:08 am

#19

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 6th, 2015 7:08 am

PCUSER wrote: ↑Does your wife drive on the hiway to get to work or recently?
I've seen some pretty crappy and disgusting looking garbage disposal trucks driving along and dripping stuff along the road

Yes, she drives the 404/401/yonge every day.... but that makes sense since the spots were directional, like it hit the car at speed and streaked along...

Jul 6th, 2015 7:09 am

#20

steve-0101 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Sep 12, 2007; 6143 posts; 878 upvotes; Greely

Jul 6th, 2015 7:09 am

jswift79 wrote: ↑congrats! on removing the water spots. Ultimate Compound takes a little layer off the clear coat and levels out a new surface. u can use the Final Inspection for touchups after a car wash, or a lubricant for claying

does your wife park in a place that has automatic lawn sprinkers?

No, it's a covered above ground parking lot...