Etched in water spots- removed the white film, but remaining imprints in the clear

E

erockoneskee

New member
Hi guys,



As always, I did a search before deciding to make this post but the information on water spots is just too broad and no one seemed to discuss my specific problem.



I was sprayed with a sprinkler a few days ago (2-3 days) but was unable to do anything about the water spots until today. I used some distilled water and QD to remove the water spots on my black paint (recent Infinity paint is known to be soft) and removed all of the white film that water spots tend to leave behind. However, what I was left with was little imprints that looked to be etched into the clearcoat from the water spots.



Now i've heard distilled white vinegar is generally able to remove water spots, but my belief is it will be pretty ineffective in removing the etchings in the clear coat?



So if distilled white vinegar will be pretty ineffective, will something along the lines of SSR 2.5 and an orange pad with the PC help rectify my problem? These water spots are really making me angry, and they are not even noticeable unless you are under the right lighting and about a foot away from the surface of the car. But just like any other Autopian, this is enough to drive me crazy!



Given that I have about 5 coats of Z2/Z5 on my vehicle, what are the chances that I will be able to remove these small imprints from my paint with a Porter Cable? And if it can be done, what products should I look to using?



Again, thanks everyone for your time and input.
 
You know, I had a hard-to-see-except-under-the-right-light mark on top of 5-10 coats of Zaino. I think it was a bird bomb that I didn't catch right away (maybe 2-3 days?). Well, wouldn't you know it? The etching was in the Zaino! I removed the Z with 3M Adhesive remover (in the process of stripping down my car to try something different) and the spiteful little mark went away.



I had another that was definitely a short-term bird or water spot in the clear and 2.5+Sonus Orange @ 5 cleared it up nicely.
 
Yep buffing with some cleaner like AIO will get rid of it. I encountered this same thing this week when i washed my vette in a 90 degree weather with dawn. I figured since i was striping all other wax i have on it and starting with zaino it no big deal. Wrong mistake. Anyway cleaned it with AIO using the PC. Still experimenting with Zaino and as of this morning, i am liking zaino ALOT!!!!.
 
Well, i tried the vinegar stuff and stripped off the Zaino with it, but there are still remaining water spots that can be seen under the right lighting... :mad:



I hope a PC with some SSR 2.5 will be able to remove them though... Does anyone know if the SSR line will be effective in removing water spots?



Thanks everyone
 
I've got same problem but on a 2004 Lexus RX330 dark navy. I know these spots are etched in. mostly on roof, gf couldn't reach so never hand dried after washing.



I tried AIO by hand but no luck.



I've got several polishes, PC and yellow and orange pads. Let me know if any combo works for you.
 
erockoneskee said:
Now i've heard distilled white vinegar is generally able to remove water spots, but my belief is it will be pretty ineffective in removing the etchings in the clear coat?



So if distilled white vinegar will be pretty ineffective, will something along the lines of SSR 2.5 and an orange pad with the PC help rectify my problem? These water spots are really making me angry, and they are not even noticeable unless you are under the right lighting and about a foot away from the surface of the car. But just like any other Autopian, this is enough to drive me crazy!
Click to expand...



You're right about vinegar... it will only remove the deposited minerals from the water drops but will do nothing to remove etchings in clear.



You'll just have to level them out. I've had good luck using SSR2.5 and LC orange to wipe out water spots but that's pretty hefty cut... you might have to follow up with something milder (SSR1 and LC white) to remove haze or cloudiness SSR2.5 might leave behind (although many times I've gone directly to base/LSP after SSR2.5.)
 
NetBoy said:
I've got same problem but on a 2004 Lexus RX330 dark navy. I know these spots are etched in. mostly on roof, gf couldn't reach so never hand dried after washing.



I tried AIO by hand but no luck.



I've got several polishes, PC and yellow and orange pads. Let me know if any combo works for you.
Click to expand...



AIO won't work as it doesn't really do abrasive polishing, mostly chemical cleaning instead.



Polishes I've used succesfully to level out etched water spots include SSR2.5, IP, and OCP.
 
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