How To Remove Water Spots On Car Paint

Hard Water Stains I am talking about the very hard water stains that actually cause a “stain” in the paint of your car. Some cars get these stains from car washes, hoses, rain, and sprinklers. These types of stains aren’t the ones that will go away if you wipe your car with a damp towel or water and vinegar. They may disappear when the car is wet, but reappear once the water evaporates. Why does my car stain? When hard water encounters the surface of your car the minerals that can be found in the water, like calcium and magnesium, are attracted to the surface of the car and will be left there upon evaporation of the H2O. Vehicles that haven’t been waxed in a while or those that have a very thin or non-existing clear coat are more susceptible to hard water stains as well. The increased susceptibility is due to a chemical attraction between the minerals and the slightly, even minutely, oxidized car surface. How can I remove the stains? There are recommendations on-line ranging from using a soft towel with de-mineralized water to a calcium lime and rust remover like CLR. Here’ s a good caution: NEVER use cleaners on a car surface that were not intended for car paint. If your car has stains like the ones mentioned above there are two actions that need to be taken. First: Remove the hard water deposits. A good cleaner for this purpose on car paint is Bug & Tar Remover. This cleaner is specifically made to not damage the surface of your car. Simply follow the instructions on the can and you will see results immediately. This method, however, can be very painstaking if you have a large surface that needs to be cleaned. If you need to do an entire hood, roof or side of a car the next best option, and one that works practically just as well, is a cleaning compound made by a car wax company such as Turtle. A cleaning compound can be applied with a cloth and then removed with a buffer according to the instructions. Using this method is much quicker for large areas, but requires the hardware necessary for good results. Your end result should be a car free of hard water stains… until it gets wet again. How can I prevent the stains? If your car is an apparent “attractant” to the minerals in hard-water there may be evidence of a poor cleaning and waxing routine. Although there are many factors that indicate how often a car should be cleaned and waxed, a good rule is to keep your car visibly clean and wax it at least twice a year. Some instances will require waxing much more frequent than that. Use this tool by Meguiars to help determine how often you should wax your car. Polishing and waxing your car will help create a protective layer that both repels water and minerals, but also acts as a barrier for oxidation, scratches, and fading. Once you have the hard-water stains off schedule an appointment at your local detail shop and get a good wax on that beauty. Spend a little money on her to save a lot of headache for you. (same goes for women) Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil