Hey guys.

First off, I've searched and read many old threads on water spots, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for.

So I washed my car today in direct sunlight. I decided to take my washing a step further and remove the wheels and wash the wheel wells as well. During this long and tedious process, I would periodically spray the entire car so as to keep the water from drying. I failed.

After 2 hours of washing, I finally dried the car. There are spots everywhere. In direct sunlight, the car looks about as bad as it did before I washed it. I tried Griot's Speed Shine and elbow grease to no avail. The car has 2 layers of P21s on top of AIO and I would really hate to undo all that hard work. Is there any way to remove these spots without removing wax?

The only idea I can come up with is to wash the car again tomorrow. Hopefully this will do the trick. Maybe someone can chime in with another remedy before morning. Thanks!

 

First thing . . . always clean your wheels, tires, and wheel wells first before washing the paint. This is one reason why, but also if you get any of the stronger cleaners on the paint from cleaning these areas you will wash it off when washing the paint.

Second, try diluting some white vinegar in a bottle maybe 50/50 with some distilled water if you have it. Spray down the car and let it sit for a few minutes (not in the sun ) then wash the car. If that doesn't work try clay bar. If still not successful try a paint cleaner. If still not successful move up to a polish.

 

hoping that the vinegar will work- it should
if not, you have the beginnings of etching- and as mikeyc said, polish is the next step.
will all depend on the mineral content in your water!!

 

thanks for all the advice guys. fortunately, the spots were removed with 2 passes of NXT wash and a lot of pressure. I'm sure if it hadn't been for the wax, I would've needed a more abrasive approach. thanks again.