Help with really bad water spottings..

[xzstarszx]

Hi all, I'm new and have a few questions..

My car has really bad water spotting, especially the top near sunroof. I try washing with car wash, waxing, even vinegar to remove, but still no luck. I have heard about using clay and all.. but I don't know if that will help..

When i run my hand across the paint, i feel a kind of bump or another thin layer above the surface. What should I buy to help fix this..? Btw.. the spot has been there for a few month.. I didn't know it would do such damage. I don't have that much money to spend.. so can you please tell me what I should do. I am pretty new to this detailing stuff, and I spent over 20 bucks today already trying some wax and different wash products, but no luck.

Should I buy scratchx and the clay kit by meguiar or just scratchx? If possible, I want the cheapest way.. Sorry for such long post and hope to get reply ASAP as I want to do it before the weekend is over..

Thanks a lot for reading!

[piloto117]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

Hey starz! Welcome to MOL!
First of all I would suggest to first take a read on this thread: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4891

to determine the kind of water spot your cars got.

Pictures are very useful. And maybe then we can help you out a little bit better.

[xzstarszx]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

I'm almost 100% sure it is a Type II spotting since the car have been like that for a few months, and its only 1 years old so I really want to fix it if possible. I don't have a camera now, and I lost my usb cable so can't transfer photos from my cell phone onto the forum . Forgot to mention, my car is silver and its a Benz if that helps...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

I'm almost 100% sure it is a Type II spotting since the car have been like that for a few months, and its only 1 years old so I really want to fix it if possible.

Do you know how it happened at all? You want to make sure that before you fix the problem that it isn't going to happen again. For example some people have the problem of water spots caused by a sprinkler going off near their car. It would be a waste of time to remove the water spots if they're going to continue parking it where a sprinkler goes off.

Remember that you only have so much clear paint to work on, removing a below surface defect means removing all the paint surrounding the defect until you level the upper most surface until it's equal with the lowest depth of the defect you're trying to remove.

In other words, be mindful that some below surface defects are to deep to completely remove; they can often times be improved to the point of where it's hard to see it.

The link piloto117 included in his reply shows you pictures of two different types of water spots but if you read the text, it also explains how to remove both types.

Here's the link,
How To Remove Water Spots off Automotive Paints


These will help you also...

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

[xzstarszx]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

Thanks for the reply, I've read through that and understand what it is to remove the scratch/spotting. The problem probably started back when some deusch start putting egg/window marker on my car window. I was pretty angry and washed with one of the hose in our front lawn. I dried it a little but not that much.. which start leaving water spots. I washed the car again like a month later but still.. didnt dry it clearly.. which produce more spots. I was able to remove some minor ones today and what is left is the one on my top around the sunroof area. After removing it, I will park it in my garage and no water will get near it. So my question now is which product to get? I think my town only has an autozone.. Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

IF the water spots are all over the car then the easiest and fastest way will be to rub the paint out with M105 Ultra Cut Compound and then wax the paint.

By machine, (DA Polisher), either M80 or M83 followed by wax.

You can also try ScratchX and there are a number of how to threads here that will explain how to use it. Just be sure to only work a small area at a time, like 9" square or so... you can try to work about a foot squared section but usually when remove below surface defects you can't tackle to large an area at one time and do a good job.


How to use ScratchX by hand to remove swirls, scratches and water spot etchings

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to locate Meguiar's Professional and Detailer products in your hometown

[xzstarszx]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

Ok, so by my description, using scratchx is the best way right? Is there a need to use clay or will scratchx be fine? Thanks a lot and have a good night, I'm going to sleep now

[piloto117]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

IMHO, the clay could be used first to remove any bonded contaminant on the surface paint; which could be the reason you feel those little bumps. But if the water spots are below the surface then definately you're gonna need something stronger.
I agree with Mike in the M105, if you don't want to spend a lot of money. It's very powerful stuff so be careful. And always put some wax on the surface after this, because the M105 doesn't provide any protection.
Scratch X is a very good cleaner, but I think you need to work it a lot to get good results, specially by hand.
Good luck!

[xzstarszx]

Re: Help with really bad water spottings..

I tried using ScratchX today, it seems to be good. There is still some little hard to notice water spot left, but can only be seen if you look really close with light. I put wax on it afterward and it looks pretty decent. I only finish half the roof, too much work @@ so tired . Hehe thanks all for trying to help me!