Are water spots really avoidable?

[Mudwalker]

Despite my best efforts, I noticed today that I have water spots in my windows and mirrors on my two month old truck. I only wash it at dusk

[Mudwalker]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

I don't know why my post was cut off, but let my try it again:

Despite my best efforts, I noticed today that I have water spots in my windows and mirrors on my two month old truck. I only wash it at dusk and I dry it thoroughly with a combination of a leaf blower and a MF towel. I wash it quickly and dry it quickly, making sure that I don't let any water dry on its own. I don't park near sprinklers either. Is really possible to avoid water spots, or is it possible that I have done something wrong and allowed these spots to stay on my glass? What is the best method to remove them? My mirrors are heated and have blind spot monitoring indicators, if that makes a difference in the removal method. I do plan on getting a water softener for my hose soon.
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[Nick Winn]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Hi mudwalker,

Water Spots come from water drying on a surface, essentially when the water dries, any deposits in the water can stain & etch the surface. So as far as avoiding them, it is going to be a matter of removing them ASAP and not letting any water dry on the surface, which can be tough to avoid completely. Spray Detailers and our Spray Waxes are great to assist in removing fresh water spots.

For removing these now water spots stains on your side mirrors, we would recommend avoiding using anything abrasive. We would hope that the cleaning ability of our Quik Detailer or Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere would work to remove them if they are fairly fresh.

For removing water spots on exterior glass, our compounds can be used. Depending on the severity, our Ultimate Compound would be a good start.

[Mudwalker]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Hi mudwalker,

Water Spots come from water drying on a surface, essentially when the water dries, any deposits in the water can stain & etch the surface. So as far as avoiding them, it is going to be a matter of removing them ASAP and not letting any water dry on the surface, which can be tough to avoid completely. Spray Detailers and our Spray Waxes are great to assist in removing fresh water spots.

For removing these now water spots stains on your side mirrors, we would recommend avoiding using anything abrasive. We would hope that the cleaning ability of our Quik Detailer or Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere would work to remove them if they are fairly fresh.

For removing water spots on exterior glass, our compounds can be used. Depending on the severity, our Ultimate Compound would be a good start.

Thanks. Does that mean even rain water can cause water spots? How often can something like Ultimate Compound be used on glass?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Absolutely yes, rain water can cause water spots as well. Ultimate Compound can be used as needed on exterior glass.

[Mudwalker]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Absolutely yes, rain water can cause water spots as well. Ultimate Compound can be used as needed on exterior glass.

Good to know. It's been raining for two months here.

I've heard of people waxing their windows. Will this help to prevent water spots? If so, how often should it be done?

[billddrummer]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Related--I have hard paint (as you know) and discovered some water spots along the rear quarter panel. Was going to use UP but from the comments above, sounds like I would be better off with UC.

[Top Gear]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Hard water spots can be frustrating. They are from the deposits in the water supply. In my case, the rain is clean and leaves either nothing behind, or small spots of the same dirt that was on the car already.

For hard water spots, it is best to avoid any water from landscaping, garden hoses, etc. Put a "whole house" filter on the hose or source you use for washing the car, or if you can't do that (apartment, etc), get the water dried off as soon as possible, say with a leaf blower, or other means. Avoidance of these water sources will be easy once you get used to it, especially if you've worked hard to remove built-up spots.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Good to know. It's been raining for two months here.

I've heard of people waxing their windows. Will this help to prevent water spots? If so, how often should it be done?

When it comes to glass we recommend just to keep the surfaces clean with a quality glass cleaner, and do not find a lot of benefit to using wax on glass.

[Blueline]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

Good to know. It's been raining for two months here.

I've heard of people waxing their windows. Will this help to prevent water spots? If so, how often should it be done?

Well, I wax my windshield. Water beads up and at speed just blows off, without having to use the wipers. Works far better than certain product (which shall remain nameless). I don't seem to have water spot issues anywhere on the car, so I cannot say for sure if waxing the windshield will prevent water spots.

[Top Gear]

Re: Are water spots really avoidable?

That's me, too. UWWA is excellent for glass, followed by a whisper of QW to remove any minor streaking, or just QW by itself. A spray wax layer does prevent spotting, or slow it, and where spots may appear they will more likely wipe off rather than needing correction. The same is true for a fresh regular wax, of course. Glass cleaners, though, are a complete frustration of the harsh smell of chemicals, streaking, holograms, etc.