Hard water marks.

[surajprasade]

Hello every one,
Is there is anything available to remove hard water marks? It is a common problem but I think there is no special product to remove them completely.
What do you use to get rid of them?
We use all purpose or wheel brightner with toothbrush but it leaves scratches behind you have to be very careful while using it. Just want to know if there is no specific product then everybody will be trying different ways, so what are they?

[Audios S6]

You could/should switch from a toothbrush to a boars hair brush. The nylon is way to abrasive. That should help with the scratching. I would suggest searching for the "ammo wheel brush" thread on here to find the maker of some nice larger brushes; but the BMW 520d tells me that you probably aren't going to be ordering from a US manufacturer. I'm pretty sure that autoglym & raceglaze brushes are both boars hair and readily available in the european market.

There are a few waterspot removers in liquid form, they seem to all be based on acidic compounds, so highly diluted wheel brightener isn't a terrible substitute, but is still more risky than a dedicated cleaner. Most of these are geared toward relatively fresh water spots. For stuff that has been on there a while, you may want to make a pass with a mild acid, then step up to an abrasive polish or cleaner wax, and if all else fails, break out a compound. If you are putting scratches in the paint with a toothbrush, you're going to have to compound anyway, so might as well skip the toothbrush step and save some time and effort.

[Znig22]

I have used an apc as well so I'm subscribed.

[Mike Phillips]

Those are more imprint rings from where water repeatedly drained and dried...

Type II water spots are probably the worst type of defect to have in a car's paint.

For what's in your picture a hand applied compound followed by polish and wax?



3 - Types of Water Spots - Type I, Type II and Type III (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/33499-3-types-water-spots-type-i-type-ii-type-iii.html)

How To Remove Sprinkler Water Spots (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/31000-how-remove-sprinkler-water-spots.html)

How to remove water spots by hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29134-how-remove-water-spots-hand.html)

Tips for removing Type I Water Spots (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/36306-tips-removing-type-i-water-spots.html)


Here's another...


Using Vinegar to remove water spots (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/52347-using-vinegar-remove-water-spots.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/WaterSpotRemovers.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[rstark]

I've always had good luck with MX-7, but outside of Hawaii, I wouldn't know where to get this.

[Justin M.]

I have used CG water spot remover with success. Also just hand polishing with an applicator pad as Mike mentioned.

Nice Vale' avatar by the way :)

[surajprasade]

Thanks every one.
I have used Meguiar's Wheel Brightner for BMW's logos. works great but it also tends to leave some stains behind. You can easily polish them out. I have also found Insta finish water-spot remover which they say it is acidic but can be used on automotive surfaces. I am going to try it out.
Here it is what they say about product.
(1) Easy to use liquid gel that chemically removes water spots, etching & pitting from glass, chrome, painted surfaces and stainless steel surfaces with very little effort.
(2) An acid based formula breaks the bond between mineral deposits and the substrate.
(3) Leaves the surface free of deposits while restoring the optical clarity of glass and other surfaces.
(4) Ideal for automotive, industrial applications.
Also great for hotels, window washers, glass & windshield companies, car wash tunnels, boats, ships, marinas and anywhere surfaces are exposed to water.

[PiPUK]

Mineral deposits necessitate acids. APCs and similar are ineffective because they are almost always alkaline. From my perspective, this means you have to take a bit of care, especially when we are talking about private vehicles which are often a bit sensitive. The dedicated products tend to be comparable to less aggressive wheel cleaners. Do note that they are not massively dilute, several which I have looked at are comparable in strength to the products you would use on your wheels. Considering the fact that there is such caution with regards to acid wheel cleaners (i.e. detailers tend to avoid unless necessary) and that wheel finishes are, chemically, tougher than most paint, you hopefully can appreciate the need for a bit of caution when spraying on paint! I certainly would recommend target use, don't just coat a vehicle with the product. After use, I would recommend, at the very least, a thorough rinse to wash away residual acidity. Just wiping the surface with the product and walking away will mean you leave acid there (which will concentrate over time, it won't evaporate away). If you have time, you would ideally want to do a neutralisation wash - a mildly alkaline wash (many foam cannon liquids fit this bill, or dilute APC) will remove any residual acidity.