• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Stubborn water marks

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Stubborn water marks

    Hello All,

    I am looking at removing these water marks from my one year old Fiat Punto (white). These are very stubborn spots that have etched into the paint. They are present on the entire car, however, the roof is the worst affected. I am looking at doing a DIY removal (by hand) of these water spots, as I don't trust the so called detailers in and around my place. I have the following products at my disposal, which aren't used yet.
    1. A good enough car shampoo.
    2. Meguiars clay kit
    3. Megs SwirlX
    4. Megs UC
    5. Collinite 845 wax

    Would I be able to remove them by claying and using SwirlX, or do I have to move up to UC? If I have to use UC, wouldn't it take away a significant layer of the clear coat?

    Suggestions solicited

    Rituraj

    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Stubborn water marks

    Unfortunately paints differ so much in how hard/soft they are and the severity of the water spots is another big variable, so you'll never know until you try!

    Do a test spot using the least agressive method first. Sometimes water spots can be removed simply by claying, so try that on a test spot first. If that doesn't work, move up to SwirlX. If that doesn't work, move up to UC.

    If that doesn't work, you may have to look at getting yourself a DA!
    Originally posted by Blueline
    I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Stubborn water marks

      I would probably expect UC, but you can try milder first.

      You have to remove some clear coat to level the are around the etchings. If they are very deep, removing completely may not be possible.

      The main thing will be to use a good foam applicator, and work about a 12", or maybe a little less, square at a time. You just dont want to focus a lot of energy into a very small spot, that is where you can rub through the clear coat.
      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Stubborn water marks

        Originally posted by davey g-force View Post
        Unfortunately paints differ so much in how hard/soft they are and the severity of the water spots is another big variable, so you'll never know until you try!

        Do a test spot using the least agressive method first. Sometimes water spots can be removed simply by claying, so try that on a test spot first. If that doesn't work, move up to SwirlX. If that doesn't work, move up to UC.

        If that doesn't work, you may have to look at getting yourself a DA!
        This is pretty much spot on. We've seen water spots that looked pretty nasty but actually cleaned up quite easily, while others have required some light wet sanding to remove. If these really are deeply etched then the only way to remove them is to remove some of the surrounding paint, same as dealing with a fairly deep scratch. It's a below surface defect so there really isn't an alternative - you're going to be taking off some paint.

        Since you already have a few products on hand it makes sense to test with the least aggressive first. You'll know pretty quickly if SwirlX is going to be aggressive enough to get the job done, but one thing you never ever want to do is scrub vigorously in a very small spot, especially when working by hand. We've seen people rub right through the clear this way, and it can be done with any product and any applicator if you use enough pressure over a small enough area for a long enough period of time.
        Michael Stoops
        Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

        Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Stubborn water marks

          Ok, here's an update - I managed to remove 90% of the water marks with claying and swirl X and I am happy with the results. However, here's where I messed up something. There is one place where I didn't properly buff off the swirlx and applied sealant over it. Dried polish marks are visible through the wax layer on top but can't be removed. Now, how do I deal with the situation? Do I clay over the area and apply SwirlX again? Experts, please suggest a remedy.

          Rituraj

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Stubborn water marks

            Your suggestion of clay, then SwirlX is probably a good one.

            Even just SwirlX on its own should remove the sealant and then the dried SwirlX underneath. Be careful about rubbing too hard as the dried polish residue may cause swirls. Let us know how it goes..
            Originally posted by Blueline
            I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Stubborn water marks

              SwirlX is hit & miss on some water marks...with a DA, it didn't get all water marks off my G35's moon roof...stepped up to UC and it was gone!
              "STRIFE" aka Phil
              2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe (IP/ aka White) the Toy
              2011 Subaru Impreza (SWP/ aka White) the DD
              2017 Subaru Forester (CWP/ aka White) Wifey's

              Comment

              Previous template Next
              Working...
              X
              gtag('config', 'UA-161993-8');