Water Spots

[D]

What exactly causes water spots? Lack of wax, dirty water? I ask because Ill be washing my car and seconds later there will be little water spots on the car. It makes it very hard to wash. I have to make sure the car is in the shade and it has to be cool out. I understand if the water is sitting on the car for a long period of time. But thats not the case here. Its a black car BTW.

 

[justin_murphy]

They are cause by minerals in the water. Chances are that you have hard water. You might want to try a water filter or better yet, a rinseless car wash.

 

[D]

Heres a picture of my hose. As you can see its pretty close to the ground. So what filter would work for me? Also, can you explain the rinseless wash? Would that work with a foam gun?

 

[justin_murphy]

The rinseless process is simple...
Wash one panel at a time starting at the top. Then dry it with a thick MF towel. Put your mitt in the bucket and the solution pulls the dirt out...dropping it to the bottom. Restart the process on another panel.

I've been doing this process all this week and love it! Saves water and time. I have noticed no scratching at all. I can wash in the full sun because I'm wetting one section at a time then drying. I love it. I can do a 4 door sedan in about 30 minutes...wheels tires and all with only one gallon of water.
BTW....I'm using Optimums NO-RINSE.

 

[D]

Oh, I already do that. Thats the only way Ive ever washed my car I start with the top and windows, then move to the doors, then hood/ front bumper, then rear bumper/ trunk lid. I will still get small barley noticeable water spots.

I think I need to get that filter.

 

[scooterguitar]

He uses a special rinseless wash, lots different than the old standard.

 

[ScottB]

They are cause by minerals in the water.

:iagree: :iagree:


heat evaporates the water quickly, and the minerals are left as deposits on the paint. You can remove them quickly with a qd'er and vinegar for the stubborn ones. Once they etch the paint, your gonna need to polish.

 

[supercharged]

I wash a black car in a full sun(exception last 2 weeks, it hot way to hot) and never get any water spots. I wash one section at a time, rinsing often and rewetting all car often. It takes longer to wash, but no waterspots.
However paint does have a few coats of Wolfgang sealant. Take nozzle off the hose for a final rinse, and use one of those big Guzzler WW towels+QD spray(I use Crystal Mist by Pinnacle) to cut drying time.

 

[D]

I just looked at the filter from autogeek and thats not really an option because of the price. I guess Ill just have to wash my car faster.

 

[Rapidity]

I laughed out loud on that one man.

 

[D]

Haha, well I dont see any other option. My car hasnt been waxed for awhile, so maybe thatll help too.

 

[sbkim]

I just noticed quite a few water stains on my black car. Can someone recommend a good mild solution - I heard vinegar. How much should I use? I presume I have to wax afterwards? Thanks!

 

[D]

Man, this is an OLD thread. First you want to try alcohol or vinegar. I havent done either so I dont know the specifics. But if those dont work then the next step is to clay. If that doesnt work then it time to polish. And if that doesnt work then itll have to be wet sanded.

 

[Bob Who]

I just looked at the filter from autogeek and thats not really an option because of the price. I guess Ill just have to wash my car faster.

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Just work a little harder this week ...you can swing it !!!

 

[Bags]

Duragloss's water spot remove works well on fresh water spots but not the ones that are etched in the glass or paint.

 

[D]

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Just work a little harder this week ...you can swing it !!!

Oh, that was a year ago. Ive got it now.

 

[TOGWT]

What exactly causes water spots? Lack of wax, dirty water? I ask because Ill be washing my car and seconds later there will be little water spots on the car. It makes it very hard to wash. I have to make sure the car is in the shade and it has to be cool out. I understand if the water is sitting on the car for a long period of time. But thats not the case here. Its a black car BTW.

Water Marks (Water Spots):
The misnomer ‘water spots’ are caused by a moderate to high alkaline or acidic solution, both of which can cause paint discolouration, surface etching (a concave circular mark and pitting) leaving microscopic surface imperfections and micro pores in the paint film surface that are vulnerable to deterioration, which need to be removed and naturalized as soon as possible.

There are two categories of water spot-
Stage One Corrosion [: defined as a surface with light to moderate corrosion damage to the paint surface]

Stage Two Corrosion [: definition when the dirt/corrosion deposits are no longer on the surface but have started to break down the molecular structure, leaving an etched or white haze on the surface after the stain has been removed, with moderate to serious paint damage]

a)Surface water spots- (Stage One Corrosion) alkaline watermarks consist of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) both of which are basic (alkaline pH 10) that alight on the surface; ultra violet (heat) radiation (UVR) will leave a white ‘water mark’, the minute crystals bond to the surface, they will not wash off as they are insoluble and if left for any length of time they will etch the paint film surface leaving a concave circular mark, remove surface deposits with detailer’s clay and an acetic acid pH 2.0 (vinegar) to naturalise the alkaline

b) Below surface (etched) acidic spots- (Stage Two Corrosion ) are caused by an aggressive alkaline or an acidic solution (acid rain, bird excrement or industrial fallout) causing a chemical reaction, if left for any length of time they will etch the paint film surface leaving a concave circular mark. Etched acid rain spots are one of the most difficult paint defects to remove so be patient as it will probably take more then one attempt to remove them. Acid spots require an abrasive polish to level the surface (some stubborn marks may require wet sanding) and an alkaline solution to neutralize them, simply rinsing a vehicle with deionised water or tap water activates / reactivates the acid concentrates.

 

[sbkim]

Great info, thank you. Any suggestions on how to dilute vinegar or which type of vinegar to even use? Thanks

 

[sbkim]

ok -tried 50/50 vinegar solution but to no avail. Put a coat of Z2 and seem to help a bit but still there. SO, I presume my next step is clay?

 

[Bags]

Plain white distilled vinegar you can use full strength on windows if you use a spray bottle and spray it on a towel then place it over the glass for a few minutes. For bad water spots on glass I have used Duraglosses NU Glass on an orange pad at speed 3 followed up by AIO. I havent come across any glass this hasnt cleaned.