water spots...how *often* to polish off? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

mid-corner fun · 06-01-2009, 08:33 AM

Got a prob here, my company's parking lot is next to a large lawn area that gets sprinkl'ed several times every day. Although I make sure I never park next to a sprinkler, the wind occasionally brings a nice fine rain mist over and leaves hard water spots all over the car. This has happened twice so far in the last month. The first time I polished them off with my PC but obviously I won't be doing this twice a month...

How often, at maximum, do you recommend polishing off the water spots? (including windshield). Has anyone tried to take off 2-3 month-old water spots?

PS. and yes, I'm working on the parking situation.

SpmnE9zero · 06-01-2009, 08:43 AM

I think that as long as you keep a good wax on the car you shouldn't have any problems with removing the water spots (ever). I wash my car at least 3 times a week. (I know I have way too much time on my hands) However, two of those times I only spray it off with a pressure washer and use the spray on wax. I have a JB 330xi and the paint is still in phenominal condition. I try to put a wash mit on it as little as possible for obvious reasons. I have found that as long as you keep the car waxed, there is little that will stick to it that can not be blown off and with a proper drying method.
The best drying method I have found is the spray on way that you just use while the car is still wet. Then you just use a chamois to dry it off, comes out perfect every time.

LOW2000 · 06-01-2009, 08:18 PM

Would it work better to just put a good car cover on the car?

jopa489 · 06-01-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOW2000

Would it work better to just put a good car cover on the car?

Good thought, but putting on and taking off a cover everyday will do more harm than good. I cringe at the thought of fabric rubbing against dirt/dust/sand covered paint.

mid-corner fun · 06-02-2009, 10:36 AM

thanks guys. I spent an hour or so yesterday removing the latest water spots on the body panels but didn't have time for a full detail, that'll have to wait till the weekend. Vinegar and water did the trick for the windshield.

Still working on the parking situation but a cover may be the best short term solution till that's resolved. (drawbacks noted!)

BK · 06-02-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

Good thought, but putting on and taking off a cover everyday will do more harm than good. I cringe at the thought of fabric rubbing against dirt/dust/sand covered paint.

+1 Especially if the cover is getting wet all the time.

I agree with SpmnE9zero that most water spots come off with weekly washing, provided the car has a good coat of sealant or wax. Whatever is left is usually pretty much invisible except to me, and I save that sort of paint correction for the "big detail" (clay, polish, reseal) that I do 2-3 times per year.

06-01-2009, 08:33 AM	#1
mid-corner fun Major Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NE Posts: 1,244 iTrader: (2)	*water spots...how often* to polish off?** Got a prob here, my company's parking lot is next to a large lawn area that gets sprinkl'ed several times every day. Although I make sure I never park next to a sprinkler, the wind occasionally brings a nice fine rain mist over and leaves hard water spots all over the car. This has happened twice so far in the last month. The first time I polished them off with my PC but obviously I won't be doing this twice a month... How often, at maximum, do you recommend polishing off the water spots? (including windshield). Has anyone tried to take off 2-3 month-old water spots? PS. and yes, I'm working on the parking situation.
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06-01-2009, 08:43 AM	#2
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions Posts: 35,563 iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I think that as long as you keep a good wax on the car you shouldn't have any problems with removing the water spots (ever). I wash my car at least 3 times a week. (I know I have way too much time on my hands) However, two of those times I only spray it off with a pressure washer and use the spray on wax. I have a JB 330xi and the paint is still in phenominal condition. I try to put a wash mit on it as little as possible for obvious reasons. I have found that as long as you keep the car waxed, there is little that will stick to it that can not be blown off and with a proper drying method. The best drying method I have found is the spray on way that you just use while the car is still wet. Then you just use a chamois to dry it off, comes out perfect every time.

06-01-2009, 08:18 PM	#3
LOW2000 Private First Class Drives: 00 Silverado 08 G35S 62 CJ5 Join Date: May 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 120 iTrader: (0)	Would it work better to just put a good car cover on the car?

06-02-2009, 10:36 AM	#5
mid-corner fun Major Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NE Posts: 1,244 iTrader: (2)	thanks guys. I spent an hour or so yesterday removing the latest water spots on the body panels but didn't have time for a full detail, that'll have to wait till the weekend. Vinegar and water did the trick for the windshield. Still working on the parking situation but a cover may be the best short term solution till that's resolved. (drawbacks noted!)