Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

[akimel]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Well I didn't end up doing my car today, it will have to wait for next week.
I've decided to use Meguiars UC, a few questions before I begin:
When using UC and while working it in for a few minutes should I expect the UC to dry? I'll be doing everything by hand.
Will UC remove bird dropping etching?

Steps that I will be using, Is this correct?
1. wash and dry
2. Clay if I have to
3. use Ultimate Compound on etching and other troubled areas.
4. DC step1
5. DC step2
6. Gold Class Liquid wax


*keep in mind I clayed the vehicle a short while ago(maybe 40 days) and applied DC Step1 and DC Step2, no wax was applied.

Angelo, do not allow UC (or DC1) to dry on the surface. Work it into the surface and then remove immediately with a microfiber towel.

The process you have outlined is fine. Go for it. Unless your car has been exposed to lotsa lotsa contamination, you probably will not need to clay. But check the paint after you have washed it and see whether you can feel above-surface contaminants.

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Angelo, do not allow UC (or DC1) to dry on the surface. Work it into the surface and then remove immediately with a microfiber towel.

The process you have outlined is fine. Go for it. Unless your car has been exposed to lotsa lotsa contamination, you probably will not need to clay. But check the paint after you have washed it and see whether you can feel above-surface contaminants.

ok then, thanks.
just to be clear:
UC is worked in for a few minutes then removed, it should not be drying on me.
Both DC1 and DC2 should be worked in for I'm guessing 20 seconds then removed, it should not be drying on me.

I wanted to do a test spot, Is the blue painters tape they sell at Homedepot good to use?

[Murr1525]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Yes, the blue painters tape is good if you want a sharp line, esp for a pic.

Or you can just pay attention and work a certain area.

I'm not sure the UC will stay workable for 'minutes', but yes work it in.

DC1 is mild, so working it in a lot wont do anything more. And DC2 is just oils, so it just needs rubbed in a little.

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Yes, the blue painters tape is good if you want a sharp line, esp for a pic.

Or you can just pay attention and work a certain area.

I won't be using the tape as a guide, I just want to compare a before and after shot.
thanks for the other advice.

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Yes, the blue painters tape is good if you want a sharp line, esp for a pic.

Or you can just pay attention and work a certain area.

I'm not sure the UC will stay workable for 'minutes', but yes work it in.

DC1 is mild, so working it in a lot wont do anything more. And DC2 is just oils, so it just needs rubbed in a little.

Should I use a foam applicator to apply all products? ex. UC, DC1, DC2, and Meguiars wax.

Should the applicator be damp or used straight out of the package?

How much UC should be used in a 16"x16" area? ex. dime size, quarter size, looney size.

If I decide to use UC on the entire vehicle is DC1 really necessary?

When removing UC, DC1, or DC2 should the MF towel be sticking to the surface?

When applying wax does it matter how long it stays on the surface before removing it? I realize it may dry in 30 minutes but can I leave it on longer? ex. have dinner, rest abit, and remove it a few hours later.

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

I wasn't able to edit my last post, one more question.
Can I apply wax on the exterior windows?

[Murr1525]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

1. Foam is the best place to start. Terry cloth can be more agressive if needed, but can also leave marring.

2. Straight from the package is good.

3. I guess a quarter maybe. For defect removal, you want to sort of put it on your applicator, then smear a film of it over the area to work on, then start working the film in with some passion. So just work the area the film covers.

Keep in mind, working by hand *****, so focus on a panel at a time. Dont worry if it doesnt get done in one day.

4. No, D1 isnt needed. If UC, or esp UC and terry cloth left any marring, you could go back with UC more lightly, or try SwirlX. You would want DC1 or SwirlX for future general cleaning.

5. Not sure what you mean. Shouldnt really be sticking that much.

6. If you appy the wax thin, a bit longer wont hurt. Might be worse if the wax was thick.

7. Some people like to wax windows, I dont. I use RainX, some like that and some dont. It can be done if it is what you like.

[music_man185]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

i'm getting ready to swirl-x my entire truck to remove water spots and very light swirls. since swirl-x isn't supposed to dry, how big of a section should do at once before i wipe off working by hand? 1/2 hood? 1/4 hood? and how much should i apply to my foam applicator at once?

[akimel]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

i'm getting ready to swirl-x my entire truck to remove water spots and very light swirls. since swirl-x isn't supposed to dry, how big of a section should do at once before i wipe off working by hand? 1/2 hood? 1/4 hood? and how much should i apply to my foam applicator at once?

Work small sections, maybe 20"x20". I would begin with a quarter-size dollop of SwirlX. You'll quickly figure out the optimal amount of polish to use.

But please remember to do a TEST SPOT first to determine whether the SwirlX is strong enough to remove the water spots. You don't want to polish out the truck only to discover afterwards that you are not happy with the results.

[Murr1525]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

Yeah, same basic idea as UC.

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

5. Not sure what you mean. Shouldnt really be sticking that much.

first off, thanks for answering all my question, I really appreciated that.
As for the MF sticking check out this link, it's a Meguiars rep. applying UC, fast forward to 3:42, you'll notice that the MF sticks/grabs the surface, should that be happening or did he leave it on to long?

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIklU-DjwYs&feature=related

[angeloaa]

Re: Water etching, what can I use to take those spots off?

just an update:
I detailed the car again on Tuesday, this time I had no problems with the polish sticking, I'm guessing it had to do with 3 factors I did differently.
1st. used a foam applicator rather then a terry cloth applicator.
2nd. maybe the weather, it was a cool 14-17Celsius, first time it was about 26Celcius.
3rd. the amount of product I was using, first time I was using an X amount of product on a terry cloth applicator to do a 16"x16" area but this time I used maybe a quarters worth of product to do the same area, no sticking what so ever.
I tried the UC on the waterspots and they came off, I wasn't able to complete the entire vehicle using UC, that will be another day.
Waxing was the easiest to get done.
As for getting the haze out of the textured plastic peanut butter and a toothbrush did an excellent job, I later dressed it with Back to Black.
overall very pleased with the result but I've decided to get a DA polisher in the future to get rid of some scratch marks.

I wanted to apply another coat of Meguiars Gold Class Liquid wax, it hasn't rained ever since I detailed it on Tuesday, its abit dusty. its been driven very lightly and has been parked in an underground parking area.
Can I get a MF towel and wipe the dust off and just wax it again or should it be washed and then waxed?