Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

[Reg]

I have a 2009 dark gray car with some water marks and some mild swirl marks. After I clay I plan on using the Swirlx and NXT 2.0. My questions are as follows:

Am I using the right stuff?

Will the clay bar remove the water spots or is it the job of Swirlx?

Do I need to use New car glaze #5 or is there enough polish in Swirlx and NXT?


Thanks
Randy

[akimel]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Alas, I have had to struggle with water spots over the past several months. If the spots are not fresh, they may well have etched into the paint. If so, the clay bar will not remove them. You will need to remove the etching, as well as the swirls, through abrasive polishing. Start with SwirlX. Hopefully that will be sufficient. If SwirlX doesn't remove them, then step up to Ultimate Compound. Remember to always do a TEST SPOT first. Get yourself some foam applicators and good quality microfiber towels.

You do not need to use #5. #5 is a pure polish that temporarily adds to the gloss of the paint. Meguiar's consider the use of pure polishes to be optional. If you were to use it, you would apply it immediately before applying your wax.

Good luck!

[jeffs42885]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Question. Not to HJ the thread, but I plan on doing UC tomorrow then waxing with NXT. I also have some #7 I was thinking of doing between the UC and the NXT. Whats the thought on that step?

[akimel]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Question. Not to HJ the thread, but I plan on doing UC tomorrow then waxing with NXT. I also have some #7 I was thinking of doing between the UC and the NXT. Whats the thought on that step?

Why not? Only one way to find out whether #7 will give you additional gloss. Give it a try and see. Good luck!

[sontakke]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Which wax/sealant prevents water spots from forming or at least from etching on the paint? I have got three vehicles and only two car garage. So one of the car will always be sprinkled with the sprinkler due to prevailing winds.

Do I have to buy Billy May type product or get the dealer applied $1000 package if I want to solve this problem :-)

- Vikas

[akimel]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Vikas, I am not aware of any sealant/wax that prevents the formation of water spots. The protection afforded by a sealant/wax is only a few microns thick. If the destructive agent in the water is strong enough to eat into the clearcoat, it's certainly strong enough to eat through a super-thin layer of sealant.

As I learned in early summer, one needs to address the water spots as quickly as possible, before they have time to etch into the paint. If ordinary washing or an ONR bath does not work, then try vinegar (either diluted or full strength). Here is an Autopia discussion that I found helpful.

[sanddrag]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

If you can still find it, Deep Crystal Cleaner Step 1 may be enough to remove your water spots. If not, then definitely go to SwirlX. Using a pure polish like #7 really does add some gloss and depth before waxing.

[sontakke]

Re: Water Spots and light Swirl Marks

Vikas, I am not aware of any sealant/wax that prevents the formation of water spots. The protection afforded by a sealant/wax is only a few microns thick. If the destructive agent in the water is strong enough to eat into the clearcoat, it's certainly strong enough to eat through a super-thin layer of sealant.

Imagine drinking that stuff every day! I should be switching to beer or wine to preserve my body :-)

- Vikas