Water marks

[carloi]

I need help guys. I have SERIOUS water marks on all my windows (they were there when I bought the car 2nd hand). I've tried glass cleaner, cut and polish wax, turpentine, industrial strength cleaner, and a lot of elbow grease, and they're still there! Didn't even look like it got lighter.

How the heck do I remove these marks!? They are giving me serious visibility problems.

Thanks.

[Deviant]

Try a dedicated glass polish like Zaino or DP (Detailers Pride) Also read that someone used something called spot_x w good results

[Pb]

What kind of polish were you using? Most any mild polish usually works for me.

Try Chrome polish. It always works good for me.

Vinegar usually works too.

[1TallTaco]

Originally Posted by Pb

What kind of polish were you using? Most any mild polish usually works for me.

Try Chrome polish. It always works good for me.

Vinegar usually works too.

+1...try vinegar first, then the chrome polish. It should help. Post up a pic of the marks, maybe we have had the same type before and could offer more help.

[carloi]

ok. will take a pic of it tomorrow.

So far, here's what I've done:

1. Eagle One auto one glass cleaner
2. Industrial Strength Cleaner (diluted at 1/10 when normal is 1/20 ratio)
3. Polyglaze Cut and Polish
4. Mineral Turpentine
5. Steel Power stainless steel cleaner
6. Vinegar, soaked around 5 minutes then rubbed vigorously
7. Turpentine (again)

In that order, and would you believe it.... the darn thing is still there.


The marks are kinda elevated and is rough to the touch. I suspect that it was parked under a tree during the rain and was left to dry. It's possibly minerals, scale, rust, and tree sap.

Any other ideas?

[Liter]

Wha t we use for the new toyotas is steel wool...dont use any water or any cleaner with it. Just plain steel wool guranteed it will fix anything wrong you have on ur windows

[carloi]

steel wool? I suspect that the watermarks would definitely be gone by the time I'm through with it. However, what will I do with all the scratch marks?

[Pb]

You might want to try chome polish first. Use a buffer to apply it if you have access to one.

I hear that lots of people use steel wool with good results. But I have seen a few vehicles that had microscratches all over their glass from using steel wool. I recently detailed a Honda Civic where the owner used steel wool on the windows. The windows were ruined.

I was in a fender bender and my side window got scratched real bad. Check out how I was able to fix it with chome polish and a buffer.
That'll buff out

[Liter]

Nah you dont get scratchs with it....jsut make sure to not press to hard and use a fast circular motion

[Pb]

I'd be careful. Newer Toyotas and Hondas have softer glass than they used to.

[carloi]

OKay, so I tried the metal polish and the marks are still there.

I really don't want to go into the steel wool thing. Is there any other ways I could get rid of these watermarks?

Still don't have a pic of it though cause you really can't see them in all the pics I've taken.

[Pb]

Are you using a buffer with firm foam pad?

[Liter]

Seriously dude you need to trust me on this one steel wool wont damage your windshield. You can also try using a razor blade if you dotn want to use steel woll

[Pb]

Chances are that it won't damage your glass if you use #0000 steel wool, but don't press too hard. Some window glass is softer than others.

It has mixed feelings on Autopia. http://autopia.org/forum/showthread....el+wool+damage

[carloi]

ok. since I actually know theeved, I won't go through the steel wool route. Heck, if a professional detailer ended up with scratches, I'd probably do much worse. I will try the blade though and let you guys know.

I just applied the metal polish with a cloth and rubbed as hard as I could as I currently don't have a polisher.