Help!! Problem with paint and water spots!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

89_3SFE · 09-17-2005, 05:57 PM

I've got an 89 Celica GT with the original paint on it and it's starting to scare me. I just washed it today and wiped it dry, and on one side of the car there are water spots that I can't get rid of!! It's only on the left side because I have to park it on the street and no matter where I park it, it comes in contact with water from the sprinklers. I know that's why it's on that side, but I don't know how to get rid of it!! Can anyone help??

Do you think Turtle Wax Rubber Compound would work? Should I wait till I clean it to put some wax on it? How would I apply the rubber compound so I can get the water spots off? Thanks for your help guys!! You've been a lifesaver to me many times, and I know this'll be another one of those times!!!

flex-appeal · 09-17-2005, 09:24 PM

the water spots from hard water sometimes need to be removed by something acidic. i suggest that you use vinegar. it often works and is a very gentle acid so it is better to try this option before using any harsh chemicals.
if it doesnt work, most car waxes have degree of cutting action to bring up the shine, the spots should get rubbed out with that too. just dont use anything too harsh too often or you will do more damage to the paint than the spots will !

89_3SFE · 09-20-2005, 06:26 PM

Wouldn't acid hurt the paint, or would it be okay? I also heard that if you put wax on without first getting rid of water spots, you just put wax on top of the water spots. Is that true? I use Meguiar's Cleaning Wax, so would that be good enough to just put on without first taking the water spots off?

89CelicaGTTurbo · 09-20-2005, 08:00 PM

i had the same problem. from now on, dont wash your car in the sun or when its hot. the clear on the car is not very good. one thing that helped me was wet sanding the whole car. just use a lot of wateer and very fine grain sandpaper. and wax it good.

flex-appeal · 09-20-2005, 09:02 PM

the water spots are salt deposits from the hard water. as long as you clean them they shouldnt be that thick. if you use a cleaning wax, the deposit will just be cleaned off by the abrasive action of the polish. it would have to be really really thick to stay there even after rubbing with wax.
as for the acid - have you never heard of an acid bath done by car detailers? they make a big deal about it supposed to clean everything amazingly well etc etc its really just vinegar. im talking about diluted vinegar, you could drink the stuff so theres no way it could damage paint.
dont wet sand it whatever you do, its just water spots, if you wet sand you will take off much more than just the salt deposits.you'll probably thin out your clearcoat and be really upset later down the line when your paint starts coming off every time you wax the car.