I really appreciate all the comments guys. I seem to sound stubborn or taking this in as an "impossible" matter, but the crap will not come off.

I thought after working on the vinegar solution for a while last night that it was clearing up and only some of it was back - today before going to work, upon inspection, nothing had changed. I don't get it. I would figure that the vinegar would do a helluva lot of good! =/ all the spots have returned.

I appreciate the insight stbrnd, and Brad, lucid, Argetni, dlq04, S2000PILOT and everyone else!

sumir - no update yet, as of right now, "our supervisor has not shown up yet." thus, I'm still waiting.

 

Schatten,

I can't believe that you can't get those spots out after trying all that stuff. What do they have in the water down there?? It looks pretty bad. I hope you get it resolved with your apartment manager. The only good thing is that your top was up so the water didn't ruin your interior.

 

I spoke with them last night, and after getting no where, I asked for the numbers of someone who would have the answers I was looking for - they didn't budge. I said, if you cannot contact the person tomorrow, please let me know since you forgot today (yesterday), or I will have to pursue this through a third party, which I hope not to do because of the expenses.

By the time I got home there was a long winded message on my answering machine stating that I need pictures and a written letter. Gee, they could have told me that before, or I should have known that - right?

I'll be working on the letter here shortly.

As for other solutions, one guy was going to try some stuff here at work, I said, sure, but just remember the spot, because it will look clean as can be, but when you return in a few hours it will be back to the spotted car that you see now. Ugh! I just don't want to drive it anywhere!

 

The water with its impurities must have etched the paint or stained it. The question is, by how deep into the paint. The fix would be to keep buffing the paint and removing the clear coat until the stains are gone. If partial thickness stain, then the stain should come out albeit with a loss of clearcoat thickness.

 

O.K. Here's how to remove water spots from the windshield (courtesy of ehow.com):

1. Spray a liberal amount of window cleaner on the windshield and scrub it with a terry cloth rag.

2. Wet a fine steel wool pad with water. Rub it on your windshield in small circles and work a small area at a time.

3. Follow up with another good scrubbing with window cleaner.

Here's how to remove water spots from the paint (courtesy of The Dealer's Choice):

One of the common problems we deal with in detailing is hard water spots. Much of the problem in many areas may be attributed to the high level of calcium in local water supplies. This may be more prevalent when water from wells is used to wash cars at home or those who park near a sprinkler system that operates from a well are prone to unsightly spots on the finishes of their cars.

The spots are caused by mineral deposits in the water. If the water is left on the car long enough, the deposits can etch the surface of the car. One method to solve the problem is by using an 800-, 1,200- or 2,000 grit compound -- depending on the severity of the water spots, how long they have been left on the finish, and the color and make of the car.

After thorough high-speed buffing, a coat of wax is applied to shine the finish. Next a coat of one-year sealant/protectant should be applied. This should ensure a spot free finish for one year. The final step is to follow proper car washing procedures to avoid future problems.

Also, go the this 3M web site. They have a product for removing water spots: http://www.3m.com/us/auto_marine_aero/aad/...aterspots.jhtml

And one more from Autopia.....http://www.autopia-carcare.com/autopia/waterspots.html

Other advice from The Wax Shop:

If the car is a light color, try using Polishing Compound from The Wax Shop. If the car's color is darker, use Safe Cut on the paint. These polishes should take care of your car's water spot problem and give the paint a good shine.

Don't forget to eat your Wheaties before you start working on this!

 

Schatten,

Sorry about your mishap! I think that twohoos had the best advice. Try calling autopia at 800-628-7596 ask for Jan. She is very knowledgeable and will give you good advice. Good Luck!

 

Whew.. I had to have lie down after justreading that

 

That would NOT be my first choice on a new $35,000 car!

 

I realize you're in a bad situation with not having a lot of usable funds for this. If it happenned to me, I'd probably be pissed, but then use it as an excuse to buy a body kit and repaint the whole damn car some eccentric color to personalize it. But my Uncle runs a body shop so it's a little easier on the pocket book for me.

My condolences to you regarding this.

 

Schatten,

I had some hard water stains on my car, and I just picked it up early this week. It was on the front bumper, I guess the car got wet during shipping and dried under the plastic.

Anyway, I tried a product from Meguairs called "Scratch X". It is in a little black tube, and costs like $7 at your local Auto Zone. It is advertised as removing swirl marks, fine scratches, oxidation, and bonded contaminants.

I called Meguairs, and they said its a non-abrasive, it will not scratch the cars paint. I felt ball-sy and tried it. It took about four or five applications, but it got the stains out. Meguairs told me that it worked better than a diluted mixture of vinegar and water.

It did NOT scratch the paint or cause swirl marks, it looks fine. After the Scratch-X was done, I just applied a fresh coat of Zymol on the bumper, and it looks absolutely awesome!


I hope this works!