Removing Hard Water Spots From Paint

[VGR]

What products and procedures will effectively remove hard water spots from paint? The products and procedures I have used to remove hard water spots from glass (white vinegar + an mild abrasive) would surely damage paint I would think.

[mbpgawest]

VGR, I have read other topics in the detail form and one talked about just this. The advice was to use a clay bar then paint polish. The clay bar should take care of the spots.

Let us know what you do and the results. :)

[TOGWT]

What products and procedures will effectively remove hard water spots from paint?  The products and procedures I have used to remove hard water spots from glass (white vinegar + an mild abrasive) would surely damage paint I would think.

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Water Spots:

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.

Etched water spots are one of the most difficult paint defects to remove so be patient as it will probably take more then one attempt to remove them.

1a) Removing surface water spots from paint film surface-

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;

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

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

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

·Use a clean spray bottle and 100% cotton micro fibre 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)

1b) 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 or Iz einzett TM Paint Polish 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

[BK430]

What products and procedures will effectively remove hard water spots from paint?  The products and procedures I have used to remove hard water spots from glass (white vinegar + an mild abrasive) would surely damage paint I would think.

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Did you find a good solution to the hard water spots? I have a new sc 430 but had the hood repainted from a small accident. The rest of the car was not spotted from hard water, however the newly painted area was.

If you found a solution to the water spots (I have tried vinegar, but no luck), I would like to try it.

Thanks

BK430