water spot problem

I

imported_tuffluck

New member
so i PC'ed my car just the other day, and put nxt on it as the final coat. when i did this, ALL the water spots were removed. anyway, it rained two days later and obviously the sun dried the water droplets, and now after i washed my car, those spots are there AGAIN! they aren't as prominent as before the PC polish, but they're there nonetheless. i don't get it???



why does the water stain when it dries? my car is dark blue, but still, i just don't get why the soap and water won't wash those spots off... it's like they embed themselves in the clear coat. i'd like to PC those water-spotted areas once more and then have a remedy to keep the spots off of my car if possible. suggestions? i don't know why this keeps happening...surely i don't have to wash my car EVERY time it rains on the car, do i? thanks...
 
I dont know if this helps but after I wash I use a qd and I stay waterspotless, and I have a black car so you know thats a pain in the ***.
 
Minerals within the water are what cause the water spots. The water evaporates and the minerals are left behind to cling to, and possibly etch, the surface. Can't say I have ever had damage from water spots on any of our cars, but sap is a completely different story.
 
damn. i'm sure it's something having to do with a bigger city, too. probably minerals and polution all in our rain, so it's probably near impossible to keep them off of the car. but, i suppose i could use my california duster to spread the water droplets on my car. that way, at least if they spread they will be able to easily dry without problems (hopefully). then again, i don't know if a california duster is okay to use on a wet, dirty car. i can't think of any other alternative other than washing the car after every rain and before the water dries, but i think that's near impossible.
 
tuffluck said:
damn. i'm sure it's something having to do with a bigger city, too. probably minerals and polution all in our rain, so it's probably near impossible to keep them off of the car. but, i suppose i could use my california duster to spread the water droplets on my car. that way, at least if they spread they will be able to easily dry without problems (hopefully). then again, i don't know if a california duster is okay to use on a wet, dirty car. i can't think of any other alternative other than washing the car after every rain and before the water dries, but i think that's near impossible.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use a CD on a wet surface, you'll just be smearing around water and dust/dirt. I'd try something like S&W: http://www.premiumautocare.com/pospwiwawa16.html



Or maybe Eagle One's WAUD: http://www.eagleone.com/_products/3,2089618.asp



Or perhaps a better solution yet is to carry some QEW pre-mixed in a large spray bottle: http://www.protectall.com/qe.aspx



It basically all depends on how dirty the car is.....
 
~One mans opinion / observations~



Water Spots:

Alkaline watermarks (water spots) are calcium and magnesium salts that deposit on the surface after the water has evaporated, the minute crystals bond to the surface and are not re-dissolvable in water.



a) Paint surface water spots-

·Use detailing clay to remove any `hard' surface granules

·To dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits use water/distilled white vinegar or a 5:1 Isopropyl Alcohol solution (adjust ratio as required) or try equal parts distilled white vinegar, Isopropyl Alcohol and distilled water.

·Wipe off any residue from glass and dry with a damp waffle weave towel

·If any `water spots' remain apply Distilled White Vinegar un-diluted to a 100% cotton micro fibre towel, using a medium/heavy pressure on glass surface, for stubborn spots use method b or



b) Surface water spots- mineral deposits can be caused by water from a light summer shower, or a lawn sprinkler system that that dries on the surface leaving a calcium / sodium deposit, these can be removed by using detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface deposits, and then using a solvent type cleaner (Klasse All-In-One)



c) Below surface (etched) water spots- are caused by acid rain or industrial fallout causing a chemical reaction, if left for any length of time they will etch the paint film surface leaving a concave circular mark.

These can usually be removed using a machine polish to level the surface, Iz Einzett TM Metallic Polish or Iz Einzett TM Paint Polish and then reapply surface protection once spots have been removed.



The only constant is; always use the least aggressive product first, evaluate the surface, then only if necessary, ‘step-up’ to more abrasive products.



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon
 
thanks for the detailed response :cool: unfortunately, the vinegar/water solution doesn't do a damn thing. i think only my PC will remove these spots. surely that can't be so. it especially seems odd since no one on this board experiences the same problem(s) :(
 
tuffluck said:
thanks for the detailed response :cool: unfortunately, the vinegar/water solution doesn't do a damn thing. i think only my PC will remove these spots. surely that can't be so. it especially seems odd since no one on this board experiences the same problem(s) :(
Click to expand...

It's not the water so much as the chemicals/minerals/acid rain in the water that may be etching your paint. And actually a lot of people do have the same problem, and when not attended to soon enough they also have to polish/pc them off if etching has occurred to the wax/sealant and/or paint.



Also, as TOGWT suggested try some detailers clay before you resort to polishing again.
 
i've tried the clay before as well as the vinegar solution. nothing gets the etching out that i've used or heard of. i was hoping someone on here knew of something i could use.



if i find a way to safely smear the water before it dries, wouldn't that essentially solve the problem? i could use the stuff that was suggested. the real problem is on the hood, the spoiler, and the top. the sides don't really have the problem because they don't really get baked in the sun.
 
Quote: thanks for the detailed response unfortunately, the vinegar/water solution doesn't do a damn thing. i think only my PC will remove these spots. surely that can't be so. it especially seems odd since no one on this board experiences the same problem(s)



~One mans opinion / observations~



thanks for the detailed response -Your welcome…



Vinegar and/or distilled water will do nothing for etched watermarks

c) Below surface (etched) water spots- are caused by acid rain or industrial fallout causing a chemical reaction, if left for any length of time they will etch the paint film surface leaving a concave circular mark.

These can usually be removed using a machine polish to level the surface, Iz Einzett TM Metallic Polish or Iz Einzett TM Paint Polish and then reapply surface protection once spots have been removed.



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon
 
ok, now that i know that, what's a good surface protectant? nxt obviously doesn't do the job since only after a few hours of being dry, the water spot is etched into the clear.



would #16 suffice?
 
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