Water Spots

Robert O

New member
Ok guys, I need some serious help here...



I've tried everything, but the water spots are killing me. I've tried the ultimate drying technique - pakshak towels aren't absorbant enough - they leave waffle weave water spots. I have to end up drying the car by hand - and the freakin scratches are driving me up the WALL.



I've had it - I don't know what to do. Does anyone have ANY other suggestions?



Never buy a black car. Never.
 
Ah @#$#@$ guess what... the outdoor tap is NOT on the water softener. Shizznat. So now do I spend the bucks to get the outside one softened (and increase likelihood of rust) or not.



Stupid water.
 
You mean even large waffleweave towels leave streaks of water behind? Maybe try wiping the surface slower so the towel has a bit more time to absorb the liquid.



If you're still left with water spots on the paint and glass maybe all you can do is just QD the paint and use glass cleaner on the glass.. :nixweiss



EDIT: :idea How about QEW? That way all you need is a gallon of indoors softened water and you don't need to rinse or dry separately later! I'd get some cotton bath towels for that job though.
 
Eek! Is a black car safe with cotton bath towels?!?!?!



I sneeze and it leaves a friggin swirl.



Where in Canuckland would I find QEW? Always willing to try it.
 
i have the same problem, no soft water outside



fix: use paint cleaner on the entire car before polishing/waxing



takes them right off
 
Konowl said:
Eek! Is a black car safe with cotton bath towels?!?!?!



I sneeze and it leaves a friggin swirl.



Where in Canuckland would I find QEW? Always willing to try it.
Well, it should be. ;) I dunno, some people have notoriously soft paint though. I suppose you could use MF, but I would rather use cotton bath towels because they're larger, have lots of nap to soak up dirt, and I don't have to cringe about getting my MFs dirty. :p Scottwax uses cotton towels all the time (followed by MF for final drying), and he frequently uses QEW on client cars. Just make sure they're good US/Canada(?) made towels though. Try some searches about cotton towels and QEW if you haven't already. :up



Try http://www.protectall.com/ and see if their dealer locator can find you a place to buy it. RV stores are better bets than bike shops sometimes - phone around. I paid about $11 for the 16oz size, so it's not super cheap, but not outrageous. If you can get away with just using 2 quarts like it says though, it's much cheaper since that only uses 0.5oz.
 
I'll wait and see if the guru (aka Scott) chimes in with his thoughts on black paint (I'm sure he'll recommend tho).
 
I love black cars and I've been battling water spots for 20 years.



This is how I maintain mine.



1. I NEVER wash my car in direct sunlight.

2. QD immediately after I wash.

3. Always garage my car every night. (I know that's not always possible.)

4. Cali-dust and QD daily. (I've got that down to 10 minutes if I don't do the wheels)...

5. If you do end up with water spots that you can't get out with QD, you will have to clay and start over on your polish/wax.

6. Keep several layers of wax/polish on your car at all times.



Hope this helps.



Doing this routine every day makes my car look like this. BUT IT'S HARD WORK.





6491slvr_front_qtr-med.jpg
 
Oh, I KNOW it's hard work....



I have to wash in direct sunlight (I combat by doing just before dusk, by the time I'm ready to dry the sun is just setting). We're building a garage soon (YAY!) so I'm hoping this will help. I'm really warming up to this QEW stuff, definately gonna purchase some and give it a go. I cover my car nightly with a car cover (which I'm sure is adding lots of scratches).



I love black cars. I just can't stand the scratches! (I was so mad today I was quickly drying and my friggin thumb scratched the hood. I wasn't even applying much pressure. It's been a long day).



I've currently got Zaino on my car, which I top with S100 when I can (I dont' see a visible difference, but boy can you FEEL a difference, and the water sheets off at least 2x as fast). Maybe I should go SEC/S100 and forgo the Zaino.
 
hmmm you dont like the pakshak towels? i just placed my first order with pakshak(*5* 16x16's & *2* 25x36's) because ive read nothing but good things about them on here, did i make the right choice???
 
K, you could rig up an outside water filter for car washing. Get a whole house canister-type filter with a rust/sediment cartridge. Plumb it up to adapt to garden/hose fittings, and be done with the funky water.
 
QEW....Hmmm, guess I'll have to add to cart and give this a try. I 'm having some spotting issues lately.

hmmm you dont like the pakshak towels? i just placed my first order with pakshak(*5* 16x16's & *2* 25x36's) because ive read nothing but good things about them on here, did i make the right choice???

No, you'll see once they come in. :up
 
We have really hard water here in Kentucky.I called the Culligan guy.He came and said"now this isnt going to be hooked up to the outside faucets."I replied yes it will be.He re routed the line to include the one I always use to wash the cars with.It is not truely spot free.You need reverse osmosis for that. It is a major inprovement though.
 
Ok, bought some QEW today ($17 canadian for 16 oz?!?!?!?!?) and picked up some S100 SEC while I was at it... :)



All I need now is my pads! (glances at 4DSC :) )
 
Konowl said:
Ok, bought some QEW today ($17 canadian for 16 oz?!?!?!?!?) and picked up some S100 SEC while I was at it... :)



All I need now is my pads! (glances at 4DSC :) )
<<------ feels the pressure :doh



Wow, $17 is kind expensive.... :(
 
$17 IS FREAKIN EXPENSIVE MAN!!!! :scared



I coudln't believe it... but I didn't really care all the freakin driving around I do to buy these products... Harley dealers, RV dealers, guys from Hawaii... :D



I'm still nervous as heck using this stuff. Have to buy more 100% cotten towels, I ditched mine after I got the MF's...



:angry



Where's a good place (Wal-Mart is not one of them) to buy the good schtuff (towels)?
 
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