Insanely hard water spots

sinnet112 · 05-03-2008, 03:50 PM

So, I usually do my own car washing and such, but apparently my garage sprung a leak somewhere and the last rain that came got my car wet. I put it off for a few days before I had time to wash it.

Unfortunately, when I did, I saw the hard water spots that remained on the car. Regular car wash soap couldn't remove it, polish couldn't remove it, and clay bar couldn't remove it.

I haven't yet invested in a buffer, but is that the only thing that can possibly get it off?

No pictures, because it just looks like any other hard water spot. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

eclipsisNA · 05-03-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinnet112

So, I usually do my own car washing and such, but apparently my garage sprung a leak somewhere and the last rain that came got my car wet. I put it off for a few days before I had time to wash it.

Unfortunately, when I did, I saw the hard water spots that remained on the car. Regular car wash soap couldn't remove it, polish couldn't remove it, and clay bar couldn't remove it.

I haven't yet invested in a buffer, but is that the only thing that can possibly get it off?

No pictures, because it just looks like any other hard water spot. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

Vinegar or CG Water Spot Remover will do the trick.

L~R~G nor cal · 05-03-2008, 03:56 PM

Try CG WaterSpot remover. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and distilled water if you would like to go the cheap route. I have not used vinegar and H2O, so I am not sure of the correct ratio, but I am sure someone on this forum is and could help you out.

If the products above do not do the trick, then odds are it is not water spots, for it is etching. You will have to use a DA or rotary polisher to remove etching.

J-Sud · 05-03-2008, 04:17 PM

CG water spot remover smells horrible...lol....but it does work

sinnet112 · 05-03-2008, 04:44 PM

Thanks for all the tips! I have a few CG products, but I'm also well aware of their expensive shipping, so I was wondering, is there any way to tell if it's a water spot or if it's etching?

328i · 05-03-2008, 04:48 PM

If it sat a couple days and you can't get it off with a wash and vinegar the spots are most likely etched and will need to be polished out.

picus · 05-03-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinnet112

Thanks for all the tips! I have a few CG products, but I'm also well aware of their expensive shipping, so I was wondering, is there any way to tell if it's a water spot or if it's etching?

You'll know as soon as you try any chemical cleaner. I use AIO to remove water spots on paint and glass; but it won't budge an etching. Etched spots from contaminated water can be a real nightmare, akin to bird crap etchings. Odds are you'll need either multiple hand polish passes, or a machine.

Which leads me to what I would try. If you don't have abrasives already, get some Meguairs ScratchX and use by hand (remember, it requires some elbow grease); it will remove a deposit anyway, and if it's an etching a few passes should diminish it.

sinnet112 · 05-03-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

Which leads me to what I would try. If you don't have abrasives already, get some Meguairs ScratchX and use by hand (remember, it requires some elbow grease); it will remove a deposit anyway, and if it's an etching a few passes should diminish it.

Yeah, I've tried ScratchX to little or no avail. I might give it a go again later, since I've used ScratchX before on other things and it did work. These spots are literally all over my car

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

By the way, 328i, where are you located in central NJ? Do you by any chance have a buffer?

picus · 05-03-2008, 05:04 PM

Hrm. Can you feel them? It sounds to me like they are really hard deposits, probably from calcium in the pipes. A chemical cleaner would probably remove them, but odds are it'll need to be via machine. If you can't find someone on the board head to Autopia.org and ask in the regional section.

hotsand5 · 05-03-2008, 05:07 PM

would clay get that out?

sinnet112 · 05-03-2008, 05:11 PM

Yeah I can't feel them at all, hence the clay hasn't worked. It seems as smooth as it usually is unfortunately. I'll try vinegar and the like and I'll see what happens.

TRICKE90 · 05-03-2008, 08:42 PM

You might want to try Quixx scratch remover, it has removed scratches on my paint that ScratchX won't remove. It even comes with some 3000 grit sand paper and polish. I don't know if it will work on etchings but it might be worth a try. You can usually find it at Wal-Mart.

328i · 05-04-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinnet112

Yeah, I've tried ScratchX to little or no avail. I might give it a go again later, since I've used ScratchX before on other things and it did work. These spots are literally all over my car

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

By the way, 328i, where are you located in central NJ? Do you by any chance have a buffer?

Yes, I have rotary, and I'm in Marlboro/ If you're nearby or would like to come by I can help you just send me a PM.

BK · 05-04-2008, 11:28 PM

Let us know how it goes. I'm surprised the Scratch-X didn't work. As picus said, remember that it requires some elbow grease. You really need to apply pressure when you use it.

Phila · 05-06-2008, 12:09 AM

yea i got some killer water spots from parking next to the lawn, sprinkler splash every night. I've been claying and it helps, but there are still marks. I've been using the meguir's smooth car clay kit. Is that clay good/strong enough? I noticed at the store, there are 2 clays, 1 mild and 1 aggressive. Would switching to the "aggressive" clay make any difference?

sparkyg · 05-06-2008, 07:48 AM

Get some of the new ScratchX, its a good choice and can be used by a hand or DA polisher.

Be patient and work it in, spend a little time and do it right.

GL.

Phila · 05-07-2008, 12:46 AM

So i've tried mother's & meguiar's clay kits, and I think I like the meguiar's better. But neither one of them could get the water spots out. It looks like it got a lot of the water deposits out, and now the paint feels pretty smooth, but the water spots are still visible!

I also tried CLR on my windows, 50/50, then 100% CLR applied with a small rag with rubbing in a small spot and the water spots didn't fade.

I've ordered some ZAIO, zaino glass cleaner, and bought a tube of Scratch X, all of which i'll be trying soon. I'll keep ya'll posted.
PS, if anyone's got some secret weapon against water spots (paint & windows) , please share with me!

sparkyg · 05-07-2008, 07:32 AM

Where are the water spots coming from, washing or environmental?

BK · 05-07-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phila

I also tried CLR on my windows, 50/50, then 100% CLR applied with a small rag with rubbing in a small spot and the water spots didn't fade.

I've ordered some ZAIO, zaino glass cleaner, and bought a tube of Scratch X, all of which i'll be trying soon. I'll keep ya'll posted.
PS, if anyone's got some secret weapon against water spots (paint & windows) , please share with me!

I didn't realize you were also working on the windshield. The Zaino glass cleaner probably will clean off the water spots on the windshield. If not, 1Z Glas Polish definitely works. I've used it and it performs miracles. It's a bit expensive, though. You can apply it by hand or machine.

Phila · 05-12-2008, 03:23 AM

Paint:
The water spots are etched into my paint. The clay and AIO cleaned them up pretty well and they are very hard to see on white anyway, but they will definitely need to be polished out, but I don't have any polish on hand so I've decided to skip that for now.

Windows:
I tried vinegar, CLR, clay, ZAIO, ScratchX, and Zaino Glass polish (Z-12). Only the Z-12 worked, sorta... "sorta" because I'm doing this all by hand, and if I continue by hand, it will probably take me half a day to do 3 windows. Each application of Z-12 decreases the size of water spots, like the polish is diminishing them from the outer edges and working in or something. I think I may be scratching the windows... I'll continue tomorrow and update ya'll later.

Trim:
ZAIO does not work, and the rest of those products say not to use on plastics. Need help \(T__T)/

Vaux · 05-12-2008, 11:11 AM

I got some hard water spots on my car recently as well.

Would the P21S Total Auto Wash work on hard water spots?

Haywire · 05-13-2008, 09:28 PM

Question, if youre really pressing into the clear to get these spots out...how do you stop from damaging the clear and so forth. Do you wanna apply this kinda stuff circular, or up and down...or does it not matter because you have to pass over it with a wax when youre done?

Thanks,

Haywire.

05-03-2008, 03:50 PM	#1
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	Insanely hard water spots – How to remove? So, I usually do my own car washing and such, but apparently my garage sprung a leak somewhere and the last rain that came got my car wet. I put it off for a few days before I had time to wash it. Unfortunately, when I did, I saw the hard water spots that remained on the car. Regular car wash soap couldn't remove it, polish couldn't remove it, and clay bar couldn't remove it. I haven't yet invested in a buffer, but is that the only thing that can possibly get it off? No pictures, because it just looks like any other hard water spot. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks! __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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05-03-2008, 03:56 PM	#3
L~R~G nor cal Perfection Is In The Details 67 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Try CG WaterSpot remover. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and distilled water if you would like to go the cheap route. I have not used vinegar and H2O, so I am not sure of the correct ratio, but I am sure someone on this forum is and could help you out. If the products above do not do the trick, then odds are it is not water spots, for it is etching. You will have to use a DA or rotary polisher to remove etching. __________________ 2006 E90 SG-Dinan Ram Air Intake-Dinan Throttle Body-Dinan Exhaust-19' Hyperblack CSL's-15/5 tint-Matte Black Grills-M3 Spoiler Lip-Amber Delete-Smoke Side Signals
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05-03-2008, 04:17 PM	#4
J-Sud Captain 129 Rep 864 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	CG water spot remover smells horrible...lol....but it does work
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05-03-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	Thanks for all the tips! I have a few CG products, but I'm also well aware of their expensive shipping, so I was wondering, is there any way to tell if it's a water spot or if it's etching? __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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05-03-2008, 04:48 PM	#6
328i Colonel 148 Rep 2,932 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	If it sat a couple days and you can't get it off with a wash and vinegar the spots are most likely etched and will need to be polished out. __________________
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05-03-2008, 05:04 PM	#9
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Hrm. Can you feel them? It sounds to me like they are really hard deposits, probably from calcium in the pipes. A chemical cleaner would probably remove them, but odds are it'll need to be via machine. If you can't find someone on the board head to Autopia.org and ask in the regional section.
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05-03-2008, 05:07 PM	#10
hotsand5 hotsand5 49 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	would clay get that out? __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
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05-03-2008, 05:11 PM	#11
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	Yeah I can't feel them at all, hence the clay hasn't worked. It seems as smooth as it usually is unfortunately. I'll try vinegar and the like and I'll see what happens. __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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05-03-2008, 08:42 PM	#12
TRICKE90 Private First Class 3 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe, montego blue, Join Date: May 2006 Location: carson city,nv iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 335i coupe [0.00] 2008 335i coupe [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	You might want to try Quixx scratch remover, it has removed scratches on my paint that ScratchX won't remove. It even comes with some 3000 grit sand paper and polish. I don't know if it will work on etchings but it might be worth a try. You can usually find it at Wal-Mart.
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05-04-2008, 11:28 PM	#14
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Let us know how it goes. I'm surprised the Scratch-X didn't work. As picus said, remember that it requires some elbow grease. You really need to apply pressure when you use it. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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05-06-2008, 12:09 AM	#15
Phila Lieutenant 7 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	yea i got some killer water spots from parking next to the lawn, sprinkler splash every night. I've been claying and it helps, but there are still marks. I've been using the meguir's smooth car clay kit. Is that clay good/strong enough? I noticed at the store, there are 2 clays, 1 mild and 1 aggressive. Would switching to the "aggressive" clay make any difference? __________________ 2006 e90 325xi \| Alpine White \| Beige Leather \| Burl Walnut Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Xenons \| Lux 4.0
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05-06-2008, 07:48 AM	#16
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	Get some of the new ScratchX, its a good choice and can be used by a hand or DA polisher. Be patient and work it in, spend a little time and do it right. GL.
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05-07-2008, 12:46 AM	#17
Phila Lieutenant 7 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	So i've tried mother's & meguiar's clay kits, and I think I like the meguiar's better. But neither one of them could get the water spots out. It looks like it got a lot of the water deposits out, and now the paint feels pretty smooth, but the water spots are still visible! I also tried CLR on my windows, 50/50, then 100% CLR applied with a small rag with rubbing in a small spot and the water spots didn't fade. I've ordered some ZAIO, zaino glass cleaner, and bought a tube of Scratch X, all of which i'll be trying soon. I'll keep ya'll posted. PS, if anyone's got some secret weapon against water spots (paint & windows) , please share with me! __________________ 2006 e90 325xi \| Alpine White \| Beige Leather \| Burl Walnut Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Xenons \| Lux 4.0
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05-07-2008, 07:32 AM	#18
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	Where are the water spots coming from, washing or environmental?
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05-12-2008, 03:23 AM	#20
Phila Lieutenant 7 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Paint: The water spots are etched into my paint. The clay and AIO cleaned them up pretty well and they are very hard to see on white anyway, but they will definitely need to be polished out, but I don't have any polish on hand so I've decided to skip that for now. Windows: I tried vinegar, CLR, clay, ZAIO, ScratchX, and Zaino Glass polish (Z-12). Only the Z-12 worked, sorta... "sorta" because I'm doing this all by hand, and if I continue by hand, it will probably take me half a day to do 3 windows. Each application of Z-12 decreases the size of water spots, like the polish is diminishing them from the outer edges and working in or something. I think I may be scratching the windows... I'll continue tomorrow and update ya'll later. Trim: ZAIO does not work, and the rest of those products say not to use on plastics. Need help \(T__T)/ __________________ 2006 e90 325xi \| Alpine White \| Beige Leather \| Burl Walnut Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Xenons \| Lux 4.0
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05-12-2008, 11:11 AM	#21
Vaux New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I got some hard water spots on my car recently as well. Would the P21S Total Auto Wash work on hard water spots?
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05-13-2008, 09:28 PM	#22
Haywire Haywire, brand new BMW owner :D 28 Rep 782 Posts Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Question, if youre really pressing into the clear to get these spots out...how do you stop from damaging the clear and so forth. Do you wanna apply this kinda stuff circular, or up and down...or does it not matter because you have to pass over it with a wax when youre done? Thanks, Haywire.
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