The "Water And Vinegar" Method Didn't Seem To Work...Suggestions For Water Spots?
Hey Forum,
My '08 Camry SE in Blue Ribbon Metallic has been plagued by horrific hard water spots due to the conditions where I live and my apartment complex living situation -- first, let me give some background information. The vehicle sits, unfortunately because it's an apartment complex, under one of those "car covered" awning things that cover the vehicles in complexes...you know, the ones that don't do shit but the complexes call them "covered parking" spaces? When we first got the vehicle, I began parking it head-in because I didn't know the complex's sprinkler system fired very close on all the vehicles in the lot (no matter where you park) and as the BRUTALLY hot Nevada sun would bake the spots from the hard water of the sprinklers into the paint, it would leave horrendous water spots that were hard and crusty and just impossible to remove -- I ended up going to a local hand wash we use that's very good at their work and they did a $100 or so detailing twice on this car to remove all the spots and oxidation from the paint due to the fuckin' beating my apartment complex dishes out...this included clay barring, hand wax, etc. The car looked awesome when they were finished both times, but this last time they weren't able to get out some spots that littered the front edge of the hood -- they told me the hard water is under the clear coat and aside from re-painting it, they will be there forever.
Now, I was give the entire "Vinegar and Water" method instructions for removing hard water spots, but when we tried this, it didn't seem to work...unless we're doing something wrong, can anyone suggest something other than the vinegar and water method for getting these spots off the hood? They're really an eyesore and it breaks my heart that this vehicle is only seven months old and has already seen two hand detailings to get junk off the paint and is now plagued by this hood damage...on top of that, I have had some dings removed already from the sides, and another one has popped up under the passenger front door with a little damage.
Anyway, if anyone can suggest a better method for applying the vinegar and water or if there's something else that may remove this hard water damage, I would appreciate the input...is it possible that what the detailers said was true, that this damage is already under the clear coat and can't be removed?
I really don't think there's anything you can do at this point: The damage has been done. Water spots baking into the paint is a killer, especially if there are lots of minerals in the water. And don't forget pollution. The dust that settles in urban and suburban areas is often acidic, and when water beads on the paint it concentrates the acidic dirt into little pools that literally eat into the paint. Anyway, I don't think any solution will help now. Bummer.
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Oh no...now that truly sucks......anyone else think this is a lost cause, too? Is there any other method for getting the hard water stains out? Should I consider just slapping on a front end mask made for the Camry so perhaps it will cover most of it?
Try baking soda and water. Keep the panels wet for five minutes with baking soda and water.
Thanks so much, Chitty...I didn't have a chance to read through the links you graciously provided; can you give me the best method for applying this material?
I got some bad water spots on my black Sequoia last summer courtesy of the sprinkler system at a hotel we stayed at on vacation. It was the first night out, and they baked in the sun for 10 days before I got home. When I washed the car it didn't phase them. I thought I was hosed, but was pleasantly surprised that I was able to remove them with my Porter Cable DA and some Meguiars #83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. I've also seen some miraculous before and afters of cars that were polished using Klasse AIO.
Anyway, you might try either or both of those, or the Danase product that exceldetail recommended.
If that still doesn't get you there, you might try posting in the forums on autopia.org. There are a lot of good detailers active on that site and you might get some additional ideas or find a good detailer on there from your area that could help you out.
Good luck man. Hate to see your car messed up. The SE in that blue is my favorite of the new Camry models. I feel your pain.
I got some bad water spots on my black Sequoia last summer courtesy of the sprinkler system at a hotel we stayed at on vacation. It was the first night out, and they baked in the sun for 10 days before I got home. When I washed the car it didn't phase them. I thought I was hosed, but was pleasantly surprised that I was able to remove them with my Porter Cable DA and some Meguiars #83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. I've also seen some miraculous before and afters of cars that were polished using Klasse AIO.
Anyway, you might try either or both of those, or the Danase product that exceldetail recommended.
If that still doesn't get you there, you might try posting in the forums on autopia.org. There are a lot of good detailers active on that site and you might get some additional ideas or find a good detailer on there from your area that could help you out.
Good luck man. Hate to see your car messed up. The SE in that blue is my favorite of the new Camry models. I feel your pain.
I totally hear ya -- and thanks for the info. The water from the sprinklers at our apartment complex is what's destroying our SE in the same manner they did your Sequoia. They would shoot all over the hood and then the hot desert sun would bake the spots into the paint. I have had the spots removed professionally several times through hand waxes and glazes, but there's still half the hood riddled with spots that seem to be under the paint -- you can't even feel them to the touch. I hope this stuff suggested can help.
If you think of anything else, please fire away! And thanks again.
The Meguiars stuff you can get at http://meguiars.com or at http://autogeek.net Sometimes you can pick it up or have it ordered at local Meguiar dealers like auto parts stores or automotive paint stores.
Again, don't know anything about the Danase product, but for the Meguiars and Klasse product you pretty much need to use a DA or Rotary buffer to get the most out of them. It doesn't sound like what you have is going to be removed by hand. So, if you don't have a buffer/don't want to get one, you may want to check into some reputable detailers that can help you out. Again, autopia.org might be a good place to start. Sounds like the guys you used previously only do "light" detailing by hand and it sounds like you may need the big guns.
Also sounds like you need to find a new place to park or get a waterproof car cover.
Yeah, I looked it up already, just assuming they would have a website...
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I can't vouch for that as I've never used it.
Didn't you say this stuff worked pretty good for you -- or was this someone else? I may be mistaken...
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The Meguiars stuff you can get at http://meguiars.com or at http://autogeek.net Sometimes you can pick it up or have it ordered at local Meguiar dealers like auto parts stores or automotive paint stores.
Again, don't know anything about the Danase product, but for the Meguiars and Klasse product you pretty much need to use a DA or Rotary buffer to get the most out of them. It doesn't sound like what you have is going to be removed by hand. So, if you don't have a buffer/don't want to get one, you may want to check into some reputable detailers that can help you out. Again, autopia.org might be a good place to start. Sounds like the guys you used previously only do "light" detailing by hand and it sounds like you may need the big guns.
Exactly what I have been thinking -- I was considering going to a body shop that wanted like between 40 and 100 bucks to do a detailed sanding with machines and "big guns" as you said because the hand wash place that I get the car washed each week (about) used whatever they could in the hand detailing and it was all they could do.
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Also sounds like you need to find a new place to park or get a waterproof car cover.
Yeah, I've been down this road before; unfortunately, the entire complex where I live doesn't have any sprinkler heads that are concealed; every spot -- covered or uncovered -- is exposed to a sprinkler head. We're trying to move from here, but there's just so much going on right now between our home based business and other stuff; I considered the cover, but I would rather just get these permanently removed and then I can begin taking care of her again in a new place...when we do go!
In the meantime, I have been parking far away from the sprinker as much as I could, out of the space, and backing the car in.
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When we first got the vehicle, I began parking it head-in because I didn't know the complex's sprinkler system fired very close on all the vehicles in the lot (no matter where you park) and as the BRUTALLY hot Nevada sun would bake the spots from the hard water of the sprinklers into the paint, it would leave horrendous water spots that were hard and crusty and just impossible to remove -- I ended up going to a local hand wash we use that's very good at their work and they did a $100 or so detailing twice on this car to remove all the spots and oxidation from the paint due to the fuckin' beating my apartment complex dishes out...this included clay barring, hand wax, etc. The car looked awesome when they were finished both times, but this last time they weren't able to get out some spots that littered the front edge of the hood -- they told me the hard water is under the clear coat and aside from re-painting it, they will be there forever.
...anyone else think this is a lost cause, too? Is there any other method for getting the hard water stains out? Should I consider just slapping on a front end mask made for the Camry so perhaps it will cover most of it?
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