Removing water spots.

So this was my first wash after my repaint. Water hereabouts is terrible and I ended up with nasty water spots. Knowing I needed to remove those before the first coat of wax, I looked in the Meguiars forum to get their advice. I mean they are the experts are they not?

Their solution calls for a complete clay-bar using a Meguiars clay-bar kit, followed up with a paint cleaner made by Meguiars, followed by a lot of elbow grease and a buffing pad by, you guessed it, Meguiars.

I guess the old adage is true, If the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem starts looking a lot like a nail.

I shoulda known better. I'm always telling the wife unit, to never go to a commercial web-site to get advice on the best product to use...

I poked around elsewhere, the "solution" turns out to be nothing more than 2 parts water to 1 part White vinegar. Spray it on and just wipe off the water-spots, done. Bonus points, in that you can use whatever is left over to clean your windows.

 

I can attest to the water/vinegar trick. That's what I use on my Windows and mirrors. After, I use rain-X (doesn't solve the water spots reappearing but does help some)

Been thinking of using actual car wax in place of the rain X though.

 

Wax the windows? Hadn't thought of that. Seems logical that it would work though. I'll have to try it.

 

Not sure if it would work or if a good idea. Would have to do some reading up on it, but I did read about that not too long ago
But it does seem logical and a damn good idea.

 

Streaks, especially at night. Tried it on the passenger side one time.

 

You're probably didn't buff it enough. That would leave streaks.

 

I'm lazy that way.

 

I'm lazy when it gets to getting up for my job. We all have our problems LOL

 

I've been reading up on both spray and paste wax. Hopefully I'll be able to really clean my truck and my wife's car soon. No go right now with packing and moving.

 

Making two trips. First, the big stuff and some boxes this weekend then come back to BR, clean up and fix the house up (I'm the kind of guy that HAS to leave things better than when I first came in) then moving the boxes and other small stuff up all while the wife gets into "nest mode" LOL
Reminds me, I need to run to HD and get me some nails, screws, drywall anchors, and batteries for my leveling laser. So I can be prepared for the "honey do this, honey do that" surge

 

And I wanted to black out my badges this week, but not shaping up in my favor. Ah well.

 

Like @RowdyRon said, Memphis, no football team to speak of, nor baseball. Maybe they have a watermelon seed spitting league up there. Or competitive moonshining!!
You're right.....poor guy!
On the bright side, PLENTY of kayaking and hiking trails up there, and I'm close enough (4 hours away) from my hunting camp down here, I can hit it up and make a weekend out of it without too much of a hassle. That, with cable and the LSU football schedule, I'll survive

 

Oooooh thems fighting words!!!
Can't wait for November 12!!! We'll see who gets the golden boot this year!! LOL

 

LOL my spidey sense....

Nah, I had just gotten on here and posted my first post, then saw yours. Perfect timing! LOL
By the way, who's winning in the entire history of LSU vs Arkansas?.......oh yeah, LSU by about 10 games. Razorbacks must be pretty good eatin'

 

Y'all do have a 2 win streak! We'll have to see if we can't put that to an end November!!

 

I would get it coated with Ceramic Pro. My truck is coated and its the best protection you are going to get

 

Just seeing this thread today. If the water spots are bad and the vinager solution doesn't work for you, grab a couple dryer fabric softener sheets and put a little bit of dishwasher rinse aid on the dryer sheets the rub the spots off. Yep, like anything else be careful not to rub so much you'll damage the paint. Works great on chrome too. If problem is over entire truck this will take some time but it's worked for me where nothing else has.

 

Lick your finger and easily rub them away. Its gross but hey it leaves a great shine.

 

I just use a simple soft squeegee and a rag. Better to remove the water before it creates water spots, then a easy wipe with a cloth and your done with it. Same as cleaning house windows. The water / vinegar method does work good but uses elbow grease. I'm an older guy so I'd rather use a stick with a squeegee and save some elbow grease. I have well water and I made my own filtration system to bring my water to 6.5 to 7.0 PH to have some soft water. If your in the city, don't rely on the water to be soft, no way. May help to check you water for hardness. Your water may be really hard with other chemicals in it. Your County can do a water test for this. I know this is a lot of info but what the heck. Squeegee on a stick works for me.

 

I had an idea about water spots and wanted some feedback. When I pull my boat out the water I use a squirt bottle w water and white vinegar. I spray a small section and then wipe it down, no spots. I was thinking about trying on the truck. In southern AZ, even in the shade or after the sun goes down it dries faster than I can get to it w the chamois.
Any thoughts?

 

lol. read the first post.

 

Haha. Holy crap. Shoulda started at beginning. Too funny. Thanks

 

I'm in Tucson and feel your pain. A spotless water system is a game changer when washing the boat and truck and uses less water

https://crspotless.com/

 

Washing and drying in the shade or inside, does wonders for avoiding spots too.

 

Yeah, but when it cools down to 95 at 11pm it still dries pretty quick no matter what you do.