Help please - water spots everywhere

ichiro51 · 08-28-2009

Trying to wash my GT for a big road trip tomorrow. Woke up late; started washing, but sun was up. Finished washing but WATER SPOTS everywhere. Car is blazing hot now. Put back in garage. Still spotty of course.

So.... options? I could try to quik detailer the spots out, then wax it.... or I could wait until this evening, wash again, then try to wax in the dark :

I dunno, never had california hard water + dark blue color + trying really hard to keep her beautiful before, so I'm asking for help!

:

ITLRUN · 08-28-2009

You could just use, the quick detailer. Or have you ever used, the Turtle Wax Ice it works quite well with a light coat, Mike. SCT Tuner.

**JudisStang** · 08-28-2009

I agree with Mike!! Instant detail a small area... see how it goes!!

If it's workin' continue on!

ichiro51 · 08-28-2009

ok, tried quik detailer -- didn't work. The whitish deposits come off, but they leave behind a dark circle.

So, I guess I'm running to the store to get some swirl-x. Will clay, swirl, wax.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

wildinfl · 08-28-2009

Hi I detail cars.The first thing you did right was got your car out of sun.Try not to ever wash and wax in heat wait till cool evening or early morning.You will need to re wash maybe at a car wash with regular good water.Then use Ice paste wax get a cloth real damp and rub hard everywhere.Ice is the best ive found!It doesnt go on real heavy and super easy to wipe off.DO in the Shade!!!I would try to find a better place to wash.I have water that is awfull to so i feel for Ya.
Good Luck!!

**jim293** · 08-28-2009

Yeah I think we have all learned that lesson at least once.

ichiro51 · 08-28-2009

Yes, today is a painful learning lesson
1. Don't wash near noon time even if it means changing your plans.
2. Wash your tires first. They take a long time, and delay your ability to dry the car off.
3. Wash your expensive "microfiber" towels first, mine starting shedding like crazy; didn't help.
4. Meguiar's quik interior wipes -- meh, not too impressive
5. Gold class interior protectant -- much better
6. Gold class leather wipes -- my seats are now the only part of my car that looks BETTER than factory; stuff is awesome.

Still waiting for the sun to go down -- quick wash, clay, scratchx, and wax. Polish next time.
Least I don't have to go to the gym today.

2Manystangs · 08-28-2009

The Turtle Wax clear detailer works well too...I use it in the Florida heat..you'll overheat before the product or car will.

ichiro51 · 08-29-2009

Clay bar and scratchx 2.0 helped a little but the the water spots are still there. I need to go to the next level, I think they are etched in the paint.

What has worked for y'all when clay and scratchx failed?

**jim293** · 08-29-2009

Wow clay bar should have taken care of them. Any of the cars of my friends that had water spots I have always gotten rid of them with clay bar.

ichiro51 · 08-30-2009

So I took the car out yesterday and looked at in the sun...

the clay bar and the scratch x (and maybe the waxing) did help - alot. Some of them are gone,and most are very light. But if you really look at the paint, you can still see some outlines. So, I'm thinking i'll just try multiple clay/scratchx/wax only on those areas and see if I can get them all the way. Or, it's off to the detailers.

Thanks for the advice!

snaranjo · 08-30-2009

Had the same thing happen to me. I tried the clay bar and scratch-X and it got me nowhere. My body shop gave me some 3M buffing compound to start and and some 3M 3000 Swirl remover to follow. Put both on with a Meguiars wax applicator and wiped off with a microfiber towel. The spots came right out and the final gloss was incredible. This stuff is what the professionals use with power buffers.

ichiro51 · 08-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaranjo

Had the same thing happen to me. I tried the clay bar and scratch-X and it got me nowhere. My body shop gave me some 3M buffing compound to start and and some 3M 3000 Swirl remover to follow. Put both on with a Meguiars wax applicator and wiped off with a microfiber towel. The spots came right out and the final gloss was incredible. This stuff is what the professionals use with power buffers.

Hmm. thanks, I'll look for them

mustangdave2008 · 10-01-2009

In the future, use a Mr. Clean auto wash gun. After washing, switch it to the filtered water setting and rinse. This has prevented me from having any water spots on my Candy Apple red and I never have to dry the car.