Vinegar didn't help with water spots

jw · 09-04-08, 06:10

I had some water spots on our MB GL450 that I tried removing with vinegar as many people here suggested. It didn't do anything to the spots. Any recommendations?

Bence · 09-04-08, 06:15

If they are etched in, they are below surface defects, so only heavy cutting will remove them. Deeper ones are even unremovable without heavily compromising the clear.

Vinegar works only on above surface spots, aka calcium deposits, where the calcified solids form a ring at the outer perimeter of the water bead as it evaporates.

BigAl3 · 09-04-08, 06:31

as i mentioned before... try using some scratchx, foam applicator (you can use the PC as well) and some elbow grease. i've been able to get out some pretty bad waterspots...

Got_Leather · 09-04-08, 08:22

Duragloss makes a water spot remover for paint and glass. Never used it for painted surfaces but the glass (755) works awesome.

Vintage · 09-04-08, 08:54

Vinegar with magic eraser works wonders for me.

JohnKleven · 09-04-08, 09:45

You might have to wetsand the area if it can't be polished out. What color is the car?

John

scpanda · 09-09-08, 06:21

is there any chance that the vinegar will harm the paint?

Bence · 09-09-08, 06:54

Vinegar is a weak acid which won't attack or damage automotive paint unless you don't let it dwell on it for an extended period of time. If you want to take off water spots, it will be perfectly safe. Use more caution on certain plastics, and always neutralize the acid with plenty of water or a good wash afterwards.

Obviously you have to reapply the LSP.

rydawg · 09-09-08, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bence

Vinegar is a weak acid which won't attack or damage automotive paint unless you don't let it dwell on it for an extended period of time. If you want to take off water spots, it will be perfectly safe. Use more caution on certain plastics, and always neutralize the acid with plenty of water or a good wash afterwards.

Obviously you have to reapply the LSP.

Bence is right. You need to let it dwell on the surface.

Bence · 09-09-08, 07:22

Yes let it dwell, but no too long. Spray it on the surface or soak a towel with it, and start to wipe the deposits. They'll start to loosen up and dissolve. Always work with very light pressure to avoid marring.

I did a Renault Clio a year ago which had extreme calcium damage. The driver stopped under a bridge on the highway, and the worker were cutting concrete on the bridge. Their rinse water flowed through a drain pipe, directly on the side of the Renault. The result was a huge 2×3 spot, completely glossless, and screeched like matte glass under my nails. It calcified so strongly over the entire doorpanel that it wasn't even funny. They said that the stain was already 3 months old, when the lighbulb flashed and they called me.

Yet I was able to remove the whole thing with 20% vinegar. Repolished it with Poli-Seal and it was fine.