Water Spots - What's That Vinegar Solution ?

[Geo]

Have slight water spots on my black 01 ES300.

What is the vinegar wash mix ? Any other solutions ?

Any suggestions, advise ?

Thanks, George

[TOGWT]

Have slight water spots on my black 01 ES300.

What is the vinegar wash mix ?  Any other solutions ?

Any suggestions, advise ?

Thanks,  George

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You dodn't say wether the water spots were on the glass or the paint so I've posted removal methods for both-

3. Removing water spots (from glass):

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. These fall into one of two categories a) surface or B) below surface (etched) water spots. (See also Windscreen Protective Barrier)

a) Removing water spots from glass- rainwater sometimes contains alkaline minerals that alight on the paint film surface and as the water evaporates leave white `water spots' on glass surfaces. Mineral deposits can be caused by water from a light summer shower, or a lawn sprinkler system that that dries on the glass surface leaving a calcium / sodium deposit.

These can usually be removed by using detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface deposits, and then using a solvent type cleaner (Klasse All-In-One) For stubborn spots polish them using method (B)

Methodology:

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

·To dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;

a) 2:1 solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar (Acetic acid)

B) Distilled water / Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)

c) Equal parts distilled water / distilled white vinegar / Isopropyl alcohol.

·Use a clean spray bottle and 100% cotton Microfiber cloth to apply the solution to the glass surface

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

·If any `water spots' remain apply distilled white vinegar or Isopropyl alcohol un-diluted to 100% cotton Microfiber towel, using a medium/heavy pressure on glass surface.

·If this does not remove the `water spots' use Autoglym Car Glass PolishTM and #0000 or #000 steel wool, use straight-line motions only (circular motions cause swirl marks)

B) Removing etched (below surface) water spots from glass--- 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 detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface deposits and then using Autoglym Car Glass PolishTM with #0000 synthetic steel wool or Iz Einzette Glas Polish, a random orbital buffer (speed # 4) and a cutting foam pad (LC orange or yellow) to level the surface.

Notes:

1.Do not use abrasive cleaner; glass polish or any grade synthetic steel wool on after market-tinted glass or you will probably scratch the surface.

2.For deeply etched water spots' in the glass surface, do not attempt to polish them out, consult an automotive glass vendor as glass used on later model cars is soft and thin (this may vary by manufacturer) due to weight / cost savings by vehicle manufactures and polishing could cause glass to crack.

3.Be cautious with polishes that contain abrasives like aluminium or cerium oxide as they have the potential to damage glass beyond repair.

4.Some windshields and mirrors have a tinted plastic coating or a blue tint that will scratch or be damaged, only polish or use synthetic wool on uncoated glass.

Water Spots (paint surface):

These fall into one of two categories;

a) Surface 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. Rainwater also contains alkaline minerals that alight on the paint film surface and as the water evaporates leave white `water spots' on both the paint and glass surfaces.

B) 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.

1a) Removing surface water spots from paint -

Methodology

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

·To dissolve the alkaline-based, surface/etched mineral water deposits try one or more of the following;

a) 2:1 solution of distilled water/distilled white vinegar

B) Distilled water/Isopropyl Alcohol (adjust ratio as required)

c) Equal parts distilled water/distilled white vinegar/Isopropyl alcohol.

·Use a clean spray bottle and 100% cotton Microfiber cloth to apply the solution to the paint surface

·Wipe off any residue from the paint surface and dry with a damp waffle weave towel

·If any `water spots' remain apply distilled white vinegar or Isopropyl alcohol un-diluted to a 100% cotton micro fibre towel, using a medium/heavy pressure on glass surface, for stubborn spots use an abrasive polish as in (1b)

B) Removing etched water (below surface) spots from paint-

Methodology

·These can be removed by using detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface deposits

·Then using a machine polish, Iz einzett TM Metallic Polish (3/10) or Iz einzett TM Paint Polish (5/10) and a cutting (LC Orange or Yellow) foam pad (speed # 4) to level the surface

·Work on a very small area at a time (2-foot x 2-foot) until the polish has run out

·Repeat this process two or three times, as necessary

·Reapply surface protection once spots have been removed.

JonM

[Geo]

Awesome ! Thanks for the response. In my case it is waterspots on a black paint surface. George