Water Spots!

[AIH]

I made the mistake of hosing the dust off my new Venza last night, and I had water spots everywhere this morning . I got most of the spots off the body (I waxed last weekend) using instant detailer, and got the spots off the glass with Stoner's window cleaner, instant detailer, and elbow grease. But I still have to do the trim, and I'm hoping my chrome cleaner will fix that.

I've learned my lesson: wipe the car down after hosing it off.

I'm really surprised at the mess- I didn't see anything at all like this when the rain dried on my car a couple of weeks ago. Is there something in LA city water that would do this?

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by AIH

I made the mistake of hosing the dust off my new Venza last night, and I had water spots everywhere this morning . I got most of the spots off the body (I waxed last weekend) using instant detailer, and got the spots off the glass with Stoner's window cleaner, instant detailer, and elbow grease. But I still have to do the trim, and I'm hoping my chrome cleaner will fix that.

I've learned my lesson: wipe the car down after hosing it off.

I'm really surprised at the mess- I didn't see anything at all like this when the rain dried on my car a couple of weeks ago. Is there something in LA city water that would do this?

There are always trace amounts (of varying degrees) of salts, suspended sediments, etc., in municipal water supplies. That's why auto detailing companies worth beans use deionized water when they wash your car: no water spots. Like you said always make sure to wipe your car down after washing when using tap water or water spots will occur.

[AIH]

Thanks for the tip TrailDust! I'd never thought of deionized water- I'll give that a shot next time I wash the car.

[humanoid]

If it's just a light sprinkling of dust and your car has a fresh coat of wax on it, you can use some quick detailer and a microfiber towel to remove the dust instead of hosing it down with water. Or you can use one of the many Waterless Car Washes, I personally like this: http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-440-n...-car-wash.aspx

[Dave-o]

I really don't think you need to invest in deionized water... if you enjoy doing a quick job of washing your car... just use quick wax like you did...

sometimes I spend hours detailing my car but if it's a quick wash... I follow it up with quick wax with a micro fiber cloth and I'm set

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Dave-o

I really don't think you need to invest in deionized water... if you enjoy doing a quick job of washing your car... just use quick wax like you did...

sometimes I spend hours detailing my car but if it's a quick wash... I follow it up with quick wax with a micro fiber cloth and I'm set

I should have made myself clearer in my reply to AIH in that I was only using deionized water as an example and not a suggestion for everyday home use. As long as tap water is dried off the problem is solved.

[Dave-o]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

I should have made myself clearer in my reply to AIH in that I was only using deionized water as an example and not a suggestion for everyday home use. As long as tap water is dried off the problem is solved.

that's true as long as it is dried it's good

is it a hassle/expensive getting deionized water? I've only heard of it used at high end detail shops like you said earlier

[mmasse]

Originally Posted by Dave-o

that's true as long as it is dried it's good

is it a hassle/expensive getting deionized water? I've only heard of it used at high end detail shops like you said earlier

Expensive = yes, Hassle = not really

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

[Dave-o]

Originally Posted by mmasse

Expensive = yes, Hassle = not really

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

jesus...

[judge34411]

Just spray hard and squeegee it

[johnnylightning]

Buy yourself a leaf blower. It gets into all the cracks and crevices. When your done, no water spots!

[eyezack87]

Originally Posted by judge34411

Just spray hard and squeegee it

I would say no to this because even water isn't enough sometimes to get dirt off the car. For the pieces that don't come off with water, imagine the damage the squeegee will have once it traps the dirt under it and drags it across your paint

I'd recommend using Optimum No Rinse instead. Spray on first, then wash using it. Much safer than using a squeegee

[judge34411]

Originally Posted by eyezack87

I would say no to this because even water isn't enough sometimes to get dirt off the car. For the pieces that don't come off with water, imagine the damage the squeegee will have once it traps the dirt under it and drags it across your paint

I'd recommend using Optimum No Rinse instead. Spray on first, then wash using it. Much safer than using a squeegee

Agreed 100% but he said new wax (in a week) and he said dust not dirt. Never for dirt would scratch the car. An must be new wax and just dust as he described.

[MyCar_SE]

Originally Posted by mmasse

Expensive = yes, Hassle = not really

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

If you have water softener at home, does it almost do the same things as a deionizor?

[judge34411]

Originally Posted by MyCar_SE

If you have water softener at home, does it almost do the same things as a deionizor?

First off and no disrespect to Super Mod, but deionized water is very expensive distilled water would do just as well and much cheaper. I find as you noted if you get the water off before it dries I use a squeegee with success (but have a klasse finish that makes a difference.) that will not leave spots. I have and use a chamois but that is a lot of work.

As for the water softener at home I believe most use salts to soften the water and some is dissolved into the water, so that might aggravate the spotting.

One thing I find that helps a lot on those hot days (not sunny, try not to do in the sun) is to keep running water over entire car as you are washing it so nothing dries. Then dry entire car in one shot.