[S_Cal968]

Are there any paint guru's in reader land and can suggest the best method to remove hard water stains?

The other day while at work the dumb-a$$ gardener decided to test the sprinklers while it was hot and sunny. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> The hood and fenders now have a nice cheetah pattern.

I was able to get most of it off after a few coats of wax. I'm wondering if my clear coat is damaged?

And, yes I'm going to have a word with said dumb-a$$ gardener next time I see him. And, no I don't park in that spot anymore... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

maybe a dumb suggestion, but have you tried some Meguiar's scratch-x?



g'night all. . .

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[6spcab]

Try a product called Ducky. It is specfically for water spots and works wonders. Just rub it on, wipe it off. For tough spots, let it sit for a few minutes. If water spots are over a few weeks old then a polishing compund may be required but Ducky does work very well.

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[cosimo]

Oh, you SoCal guys have such a life. Gardeners spraying water on your car in the HOT SUN. I'm sitting here looking at the remnants of 8" of snow and had to drive thru wet streets (melting snow) yesterday and it got all over my clean car. What can I say I'm jealous.

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[Greimann]

If the spots are no longer solid white, but look like rings, then they have etched the paint. More aggressive polishing is needed. Perhaps by a body shop that is familiar with this problem.

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[S_Cal968]

Thanks 4 the replies... yeah I think it'll need more work. Hopefully some of the wax manufactures address this problem online. I'm hoping a higher quality wax will do the trick.

All this hassle b/c someone was inconsiderate...[*^%#@] <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



BTW, yes I'm thankful I live in So. Calif., but the sun can do a lot of damage to seals, the leather etc.

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[flash]

same thing happened to me - i parked next to the edge of a lawn - really screwed my boot lid - couldn't even buff them out - i'm pretty careful since the repaint not to park near sprinklers



i've got some good compound and a buffer here if you want to give it a try

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[ds968]

Car # 3 of a two car garage household ( my MBZ ) is always parked outside right by the edge of the front lawn and gets a good dosage of sprinkler water every single morning... it has for years... Furthermore, I wash that car may be once every two or three weeks. In the meantime it bakes in the California sun just as much as any other outside car does - but after the first wash ALL the water spots are gone. No trace of such things , no rings, nothing. No buffing ever needed, etc.. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



May be they just don't show on polar silver paint. Either that or that REJEX coat is a miracle.

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[S_Cal968]

The extent of damage depends on how hard the water is. Here along the coast the water is very hard and has a high mineral count. It sounds like little pebbles hitting the car, [just kidding of course.. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />] It would be difficult to see the rings on a light coloured car.



Thanks 4 the compound offer... If it's a rubbing compound, it has a fine grit and that would be a last resort ona clear coat. I actually have some for my old lacqure painted car.

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[Mark]

[quote name='cosimo' date='Feb 16 2006, 10:30 AM']Oh, you SoCal guys have such a life. Gardeners spraying water on your car in the HOT SUN. I'm sitting here looking at the remnants of 8" of snow and had to drive thru wet streets (melting snow) yesterday and it got all over my clean car. What can I say I'm jealous.

[right][post="16049"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



20 miles maybe as the crow flies and I had 16"



On topic --wax isn't going to help at this point. You need a cleaner/polish.

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[S_Cal968]

Hi mark,

What brand do you recommend...?

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[flash]

i have quite a few different things, varying in degrees of abbrasiveness - let me know

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[Mark]

[quote name='S_Cal968' date='Feb 16 2006, 09:23 PM']What brand do you recommend...?[/quote]



Way too many in my cabinet. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Always start out with the most mild and work your way up. I would probably start with a chemcial cleaner based one like Klasse All in One but I use that stuff for everything so I always have it on hand.

Do you have a buffer?

If yes, is it a roatary or Dual Action Polisher?

Which pads do you have for the buffer?



Unless you are truly into detailing and own the above it might be cheaper to a get a pro to hit it for you or take Flash up on his offer to try a couple of thngs.



If you don't have that stuff and you still want to give it a try by hand.



1) White vinegar will clean up spots but if it has etched you are going to have to polish. You'll have to re-wax and areas ht by the vinegar.



2)Paint cleaning clay and some quick detailer might also help but once again not if it has etched.



Ducky and Meguiars scratch-X are also good suggestions for doing it by hand.



If it has etched you are going to lose a little clear coat to get rid of them or you have to use something with fillers and repeat as needed.

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[ds968]

would a clay bar posibly work on something like that ?

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[Mark]

Not if has etched.

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