Extreme Hard Water Spots

[BACNBLACK]

Has any of you experienced a vehicle that has been washed by the sprinklers everyday and literally has the entire Driver side covered in salt and hard water spots? It is so bad it feels as though the side is sandpapered. What if anything can be done to get it halfway decent, the paint was actually very good prior. What about the windows, any magical elixur for those now that I can barely see out of them? I have D/A and am willing to put in the extra hours, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Do you have pics? Have the water spots etched into the paint?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Check out these threads:

How To Remove Water Spots

Are you concerned about hard water spots when washing and drying your vehicle?

What method(s) have you used in the past to combat hard water spots?

Water spots on brand new black c300!!

water spots on glass

[mr.haributo]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Check these threads out.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31751

Same but with more information on doing the windows by hand (see post #6).

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30580

If you're up to it. I'm in 95035 and can help you with your windows.

Can you post some pics?

[BACNBLACK]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Once again great information and fantastic advice! I will post some before and afters when completed, as my windows om my Thaoe are like yours but possibly x2!

[BACNBLACK]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Okay so forgive my ignorance, but after reding several posts got some questions maybe you can help with:

1) Since i currently dont have any #4 Cut is there any chance Scratch X2.0 would work similarly ? I dont want to make it worse.

2) It appears that a DA is not an effective tool for this, could I use a 5" Grinder or would that be too high speed and do damge?

Curious minds are a wasteful thing, sorry

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Okay so forgive my ignorance, but after reding several posts got some questions maybe you can help with:

1) Since i currently dont have any #4 Cut is there any chance Scratch X2.0 would work similarly ? I dont want to make it worse.

2) It appears that a DA is not an effective tool for this, could I use a 5" Grinder or would that be too high speed and do damge?

Curious minds are a wasteful thing, sorry

Please do not use a grinder

Without actually seeing the damage, it's hard to say whether or not a DA could repair the problem. I've done quite a bit with a DA in my years, and they can hold their own with the right products.

Is it possible for you to post some pictures of the damaged areas? Maybe some pictures that are really close up? My fear here, is that the water spots are etched into the clear, and if so, rotary or wet sanding may be your only option, if they are removable at all.

Nick

[BACNBLACK]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Unfortunately its pouring down rain right and the truck is outside (hence the darn sprinkler wash everyday). As soon as it drys out I will post some pix. Unfortunately it just might be so bad wet sanding may be the only soultion but I hope not Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Unfortunately its pouring down rain right and the truck is outside (hence the darn sprinkler wash everyday). As soon as it drys out I will post some pix. Unfortunately it just might be so bad wet sanding may be the only soultion but I hope not Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!

Everyone knows it doesn't rain in California! Get out there and take some pictures. Stop making excusses!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

I've not heard of anyone using a 5" grinder on automotive paint so I don't think it would be a good idea to try to adapt a tool designed for a whole different use. Do you access to a rotary like a DeWalt DW849 or a Makita 9227?

Machine Photos - DA Polishers - Rotary Buffers - Traditional Orbital Buffers

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

I've not heard of anyone using a 5" grinder on automotive paint so I don't think it would be a good idea to try to adapt a tool designed for a whole different use. Do you access to a rotary like a DeWalt DW849 or a Makita 9227?

Machine Photos - DA Polishers - Rotary Buffers - Traditional Orbital Buffers

A small grinder like he's talking about will spin to 13k rpm's. Extremely too fast for paint work. The max I ever use on a rotary buffer is 1500rpm's.

Honestly, a good DA should do the trick for his needs, with the right products. M105/M205 and a couple of different pads, then apply your sealant/wax, and off you go!

The grinder will come in handy when removing the sprinkler heads

[BACNBLACK]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Agreed, and to be clear I was just going to try to use the Grinder on the windows, I would never take it to the paint!

[mr.haributo]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Everyone knows it doesn't rain in California! Get out there and take some pictures. Stop making excusses!

95% of the time, it doesn't rain. unfortunately, it did rain a bit in the Bay Area today and i'm sure sac got some too.

to the OP, i've read on here that some OTC products work if you don't have M04. lemme see if i can find them.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Extreme Hard Water Spots

Agreed, and to be clear I was just going to try to use the Grinder on the windows, I would never take it to the paint!

In which case, check out these posts by Maserati Mario:

Lake County-Glass Polish System

Scratched Glass Solution - Cerium Oxide