Using CLR for Hard Water Spots

Beemerboy

Beemerboy

Just One More Coat
I was watching TV and an ad came on for CLR and I got to thinking would this work on removing hard water spots from paint..if it was diluted enough with water?..for some reason I think that it would with some practice on the dilution ratio...I would bet that its going to dull the clear a bit but that could be polished back out.

I have used this straight in the shower and it really takes them off...anyone have any experience with this product?

Thanks just another hairy brained idea of mine.

I need a beater to play around with:yay
 
LOL. Hey all genius inventors started out with a "hair brained" idea. :) Let us know how it turns out will you? I'd sure like to know. Take care. :)
 
It works good in the bathroom, but I wonder if thats where it should stay. That stuff is pretty strong at least it smells liek it is. Again this could another trial for a practice hood or fender spray some water on it and let it back in the sun, then try the CLR at different levels.
 
If you (or someone) would try it, I'd be hesitant to spray it on a car's paint. I'd soak a towel in the solution of CLR and water and wipe on the paint so you have control over the chemical. I also wouldn't leave it on the paint for long either. I haven't used CLR before but can it be used on glass? Seems like that'd work for waterspots on there as well... and maybe safer than on the paint.
 
budman3 said:
If you (or someone) would try it, I'd be hesitant to spray it on a car's paint. I'd soak a towel in the solution of CLR and water and wipe on the paint so you have control over the chemical. I also wouldn't leave it on the paint for long either. I haven't used CLR before but can it be used on glass? Seems like that'd work for waterspots on there as well... and maybe safer than on the paint.
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I agree with you on the process and as for glass its safe on bathroom glass, not sure if automotive is any different...The only reason I brought this up was hard water spots are always a problem getting off...some type of method that would emulsify them without causing damage to the clear would be real helpful IMO


here in NO CA we have some pretty hard water and even on my cars over a years time I can see a light amount of water spots on the car...those I can get out with polsih or the FK1 decon kit..

Thanks for the input on my hair brained idea
 
It should be safe on glass, I just know that when you open that bottle you should be wearing a mask, its potent. However maybe mixed properly it might work....I won't try it on paint unless I had a test panel.
 
Beemerboy said:
I agree with you on the process and as for glass its safe on bathroom glass, not sure if automotive is any different...The only reason I brought this up was hard water spots are always a problem getting off...some type of method that would emulsify them without causing damage to the clear would be real helpful IMO


here in NO CA we have some pretty hard water and even on my cars over a years time I can see a light amount of water spots on the car...those I can get out with polsih or the FK1 decon kit..

Thanks for the input on my hair brained idea
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Hmmm . . . I remember reading a while back on another site that Optimum was working on an automotive water spot remover. I wonder whatever happened to that? Maybe they're still testing it.
 
Mikeyc said:
Hmmm . . . I remember reading a while back on another site that Optimum was working on an automotive water spot remover. I wonder whatever happened to that? Maybe they're still testing it.
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Fk1 has a decontamination kit that takes them off its a three step process four if you count washing the car to start....It works real well as I have it...I was just thinking about this as a one step process for removing spots was all
 
Calcium deposits from water are hard as rocks . I couldn't get a good stream of water from the shower spigot so i went picked up the item you mention above.The calcium deposits desolved within several minutes the shower was back to full flow. I would try and find a test panel and lets us know your thoughts,
 
I heard Optimum was still trying to make their formula compatible with both paint and glass.

Duragloss has one for glass and when I emailed them to see if I could use it on paint they suggested that I do not.
 
From the manufacturer's website (Jelmar | We Clean More Than You Think)

Do not use CLR on wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, marble, terrazzo, natural stone, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica or aluminum.

You could probably dilute the CLR, but you would definitely want to experiment with a test panel to find out if there were any long term unwanted affects. I wouldn't want my car to be the guinea pig.:D

I'd stick with using the decon acid step from either FK1 or Autoint for auto paint. You don't need to do the full decon processs just to remove hard water spotting. Just make sure you rinse well and use an alkaline detergent afterwards to fully neutralize the acid.
 
chml17l said:
From the manufacturer's website (Jelmar | We Clean More Than You Think)

Do not use CLR on wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, marble, terrazzo, natural stone, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica or aluminum.

You could probably dilute the CLR, but you would definitely want to experiment with a test panel to find out if there were any long term unwanted affects. I wouldn't want my car to be the guinea pig.:D

I'd stick with using the decon acid step from either FK1 or Autoint for auto paint. You don't need to do the full decon processs just to remove hard water spotting. Just make sure you rinse well and use an alkaline detergent afterwards to fully neutralize the acid.
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Thankd this was good info another hair brained idea shot in the a$$:yay
 
So I had some CLR laying around and a test panel. (junked fender)
So I figured I would give this a try.

First on Glass......
I used it straight from the bottle. Applied with a MF towel and rubbed in a circle. Went on wet at first, then got sticky....I though I was melting the window..LOL
I then cleaned it up with glass cleaner. I had to go over it 3 times to get the resdue off.
~Did it get all the hard water stains off? Yes.
~Would I use it straight on Glass again? No
~Would I use it diluted properly on glass? Probably on stubborn spots, and only if nothing else were available.

Pics.....

Before
testpanel001.jpg


After
testpanel002.jpg



PAINT:
I used it full strenght on paint as well. Again, it went on wet and ended up sticky. I wiped excess off with a QD. Again, took 3 times to remove all of it.
The spot I had tried it on, was polished a month or so ago and protected. I instantly felt the slickness disappear. It stripped anything that was on the panel. I hosed off the panel ans the water stayed on the spot, and did not bead.
In the last pic, I poured CLR on the panel straight. I am letting it sitin the sun to see if it will have any negative effects on the paint. ie.- strip the paint or stain it.

PICS:
water spots....full shot
testpanel003.jpg


water spots....close up
testpanel004.jpg


no more spots...close up
testpanel005.jpg


CLR on panel...will let dry in the sun for a while longer...
testpanel006.jpg



Stay tuned.......:cool:
 
After thinking about it chris :bubba i wouldn't atem[t on any vehicle other then a test panel. I have few spot cleaners book marked IIRC there are sites that offer a product just for this type of problem. I have to say thanks for being the the one to go ahead and give it a try ,who nows how or if someone would have attempted using the item on a vahicle of theres or maybe someone else. Thanks :)
 
Update.....I just went out and checked the panel. Nothing. The CLR dried up and left a sticky residue. I proceeded to wipe off without any water or QD and it smeared. I then rewet with CLR to see it it removes any paint. Nope.
I rinsed it clean and dried with a WW towel.
It did remove any and all protection that was on those spots. No paint stipping, no paint staining....basically just tok all the sealant, wax, and polish off.

I would not recommend using this product for automotive use.
If you do, proceed with caution, and I will not be help responsible for anything. I posted these pics as a demo. User beware.

For hard water spots, I use a product from Car Brite, called Surface Clarifier

DESCRIPTION:
A concentrated, acid-based liquid cleaner that safely and effectively removes water spots from painted, chrome and glass surfaces.

KEY FEATURES:
• Clear liquid
• Contains acid
• Concentrated

KEY BENEFITS:
• Low usage cost since it's concentrated and mixes with water
• Quickly removes stubborn water spots from a variety of surfaces

Look it up....

There are other products that are for hard water spots. I have not used anything else, so I cannot comment on them.
 
Chris

Thanks allot for the write up and pics...seems like on glass it would be OK diluted....having said that there are a lot of other removers that are much safer for autos...again thanks
 
I've had the site bookmarked for some time they special in glass cleaners alao have a few to remove staining from the glass,i did see one for paint Window Cleaning Shop Beemer when i find it Ill post it for you:bigups
 
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