Yes, another water spot question

[Honda Fan]

Short Version: What should I be trying first, second and last?

Long Version: After giving the Pilot its first wash and a closer examination several things came to light. Most concerning is some water spotting. Although I have not examined the paint with a bright light yet, the spotting is evident on the darker tinted and black sections of the glass. This makes me believe that I have spotting all over the car but haven't done a proper examination .

I did try some vinegar on a damp rag and that seemed to knock it down by at least 50% (this was on the glass only). I would first like to attack this problem as gently as possible and hope the results are satisfactory before moving onto anything more aggressive. My biggest concern is that whatever I use does not effect or damage other parts of the car while trying to correct the water spots i.e. having the solution drip/run down the side of the car and then having to address that problem.


This car is basically new and only has whatever the dealership coated it with.

 

[Silly Rabbit]

Give Koch Chemie FSE a try. I found this stuff works absolutely amazing on water spots. If it cannot get them out, a light polish may be the next step.

 

[Honda Fan]

It appears (from YT Product supplier) that FSE is best for removing water spots that may have just formed. It's not for spots that may have been on their for some time. I'm pretty much looking for a mild remover to start with. The FSI appears to be a remover/polish etc.

 

[dgage]

If they’ve been there for a while, and since you stated that even vinegar didn’t completely remove them, I think you’ll need to remove them mechanically. I’d recommend getting a cleaner polish or a fine polish with a mild pad. What’s the difference between a cleaner polish and fine polish? Cleaner polish has very little or no abrasive and so the pad does most of the correction.

 

[evo77]

In your own admission, you say that you "have not examined the paint with a bright light yet..." so how exactly can you properly assess the condition of the water spots so that you can determine the best course of action?

Glass and paint are not the same, obviously, so the process of removal may not be the same depending on the severity of the etching for each surface type.

Go to Walmart or your local auto parts store and pick up a dedicated water spot remover and a light polish (like a Meguiar's Ultimate Polish). Neither of these, when applied by hand, would be considered a moderate level. If the water spot remover doesn't work (after several applications which may be needed) on the paint, then go to the light polish. Apply it with a foam applicator by hand in a small section. If the light polish doesn't work (after several applications which may be needed) then the next level would probably be machine polishing OR an acid solution if you don't want to machine polish.

 

[Honda Fan]

^^ Thanks! I just got some Meguiar's #6 cleaner/wax and I'll give that a try on a fine polishing pad first.