Hard Water Spots?

Unfortunately, due to a sprinkler system in our apartment complex, my '08 SE is getting soaked and baked with hard water spots that do not come out from regular washing; I already had our regular place that washes do a full exterior detail with claybarring that worked, but the spots are back and worse than ever...

Is there anything I can do about this to remove them without spending the 100 bucks plus for a full exterior waxing every week or so?

If this is in the wrong section of the forum, please forgive me, and I will repost where it's appropriate.

[CharmCityES]

moved to detail section...
should get more advice from the pros here!

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

moved to detail section...
should get more advice from the pros here!

Thanks, Cor!

[njerald]

Park your car somewhere else or:

Use http://www.waxit.com.au/brandproddet...Spot%20Remover

or the cheapest alternative, wash with vinegar and water (vary concentration as needed).

You need an acid to neutralize the alkaline deposits but it's hard on the wax jib.

[humanoid]

Try some automotive clay bar too.

Park your car somewhere else

Thanks Jerald,

This first option is not an option, because of our complex...

Use http://www.waxit.com.au/brandproddet...Spot%20Remover

I'll try looking at this thread...thanks...

or the cheapest alternative, wash with vinegar and water (vary concentration as needed).

I've heard of this procedure; I think I'd rather go with an "easier" method...

You need an acid to neutralize the alkaline deposits but it's hard on the wax jib.

Well that doesn't sound good...

Is there anything I can suggest to my hand wash place we bring the vehicle to to use on the sections that are scarred with these spots already?

Originally Posted by humanoid

Try some automotive clay bar too.

Thanks, Humanoid...

Can I ask you...how exactly is this stuff applied, and what's the best brand if I were to pick it up in a store? Would it be applied to JUST the area that's affected?

[desentrix]

I figured he was referring to what the detailer did for you: 'clay bar.'

You can purchase a kit from almost anywhere. I do like the Mothers brand though. I'm not sure you want to clay every week though. If you do a good job, it can be quite time consuming.

[spamlova]

If you can't park somewhere else, get a good quality car cover that resists water.

If all else fails, find out what time the sprinklers go on and go out there and wipe it down afterwards.

I would seriously talk to the maintenance people and have them adjust the sprinkers. Most of them ARE adjustable. I would hate that to happen to my car on a daily basis.

[stagius24]

Does putting a coat of heavy wax help the paint to resist these water spot etch on the paint in the future ?

To remove these spot, i was thinking about claying at first, then polishing, finally a wax to help prevent the paint.

The sooner you treat these water spot problem, the better it be.

[aych]

I find a good coat of some kind of polish works really well. I used to get them, im still ol'skool, using NUFINISH. i think i've been using that stuff for as long as the car (20 yrs). still works nicely, and very very slippery =P

[Pb]

A light polish or cleaner wax will get rid of the water spots. Then apply a synthetic wax (sealant).

Then find a new place to park, or disable that sprinkler head when nobody is looking.

Originally Posted by desentrix

I figured he was referring to what the detailer did for you: 'clay bar.'

You can purchase a kit from almost anywhere. I do like the Mothers brand though. I'm not sure you want to clay every week though. If you do a good job, it can be quite time consuming.

Sorry for the delay in gettin back to ya, Desentrix...

Thanks for the continued help; yes, my detailer shop used a clay bar, but I'm told because of the weather where I live, this constantly needs to be done...can you give me an idea of how the clay bar kit works in terms of application? Can I just do the one section that keeps getting the spots -- not the whole car?

If you can't park somewhere else, get a good quality car cover that resists water.

No, another spot is not an option, as in this stupid complex, every space -- covered or not -- has a sprinkler near it...I am considering the car cover option already...

If all else fails, find out what time the sprinklers go on and go out there and wipe it down afterwards.

A good thought, but as your smiley icon suggested, it's probably in the wee hours of the morning...

I would seriously talk to the maintenance people and have them adjust the sprinkers. Most of them ARE adjustable. I would hate that to happen to my car on a daily basis.[/quote]

And believe me, I AM pissed because it happens every day to the front end clip and front skirt of my SE...I am thinking of talking to the front office about this, but I doubt they'll care...

Then find a new place to park, or disable that sprinkler head when nobody is looking.

While the new place to park isn't an option, I have considered at least covering the head with something -- just the one that hits my car...