ilgoldstein

The Roadie get lots of spots on the passanger side from lawn sprinklers. (I live in California, we don't put caars in garages, that's where we put the junk the rest of you put in your basement!) They have not been there for years, but months. What is the recommended way to get them out?

I got a clay bar kit, and tried it on an area. It worked somewhat, but there are still spots if you look closer. Is my finish permanently damaged? What is the next step up? Is a detail shop my best bet?

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1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan
1989 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
1964 Chevrovet Malibu SS

gw84

I highly doubt that your water spots are permanent. It's probably going to be a matter of washing it enough that they eventually go away; also using whatever happens to be the "right" wax would certainly help. I can't believe that the clay bar didn't take care of it! If you've got the $14 to spare, try Zymol wax in the sky-blue bottle. It was recommended to me and now after using it, I recommend it to everyone! It hides those annoying small scratches in the clearcoat and just might take care of your problem.

Whether or not it works, you might tell the neighbor (or whoever is in control of that sprinkler) to turn it down a little! Or you could get a car cover.

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ilgoldstein

Good advice! Unfortunately, the sprinklers are mine! When they were put in, I put them on the street side sparying toward the sidewalk with the thought it would put less water on the car, but alas it hasn't worked out that way. I'll keed working on them with the clay bar - it did take off most of it - and keep washing and waxing.

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1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan
1989 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
1964 Chevrovet Malibu SS

Jim D.

Ease of removal of water spots can depend on several factors, including whether if they're deposits (convex on top of the paint) or etchings (concave, into the paint) -- problem is, it can be hard to tell the difference.

The clay bar is a great start on removing deposits, but if another application or two doesn't work, you might also try a little white vinegar to see if it'll help dissolve them.

But if you've got water that sat on the surface and the sun hit it to cause the spots, you might have etching -- or permanent damage -- into the paint.

And really, either way, you would want to see how a cleaner wax affects it, and progressively go more aggressive if necessary to help polish out the spots -- pre-wax cleaner or scratch remover -- just be careful that you don't remove too much of the finish in an effort to remove the damage.

Precise Detailing

To remove your waterspots first find and chemical supplier for car chemicals and walmart isn't it...LOL...once you find him ask him for wire wheel acid and get a gallon of it just so you have some. mix it the way it says or alittle heavier then it says depending how thick the spots are on thier. Next find shade spray it on the car after its wet of course and wash it with soap then rinse right after, and do it in sections.....That gets rid of them and wax your vehicle afterwards. onc you wax it soap and water will take them off everytime...

mobilejay

Wax isnt going to do anything at all for you if the claying did not remove all of the spots. They are, more than likely, etched into the paint. If that is the case you are going to have to remove them with a polish or compound. Go with the less agressive(the polish) first and then if they are still there you can try the compound. By hand they might come off but I'm guessing they will not if it is that bad. You dont have to go as extreme as a rotary unless you are experienced with one but you can use a PC (porter cable random orbital buffer) The polish I like to you is Optimum Polish. Anyway good luck hope this helps.