Single Stage Paint, Stage 3 Water Spots, how to advise my client...

[KJW Detailing]

Good Afternoon,

I have a client with an odd collection of vehicles. One of them being a 1978 Toyota Cressida. The owner explained that he took the vehicle out, ran into a store, and returned to a wet vehicle after a quick rain came through (he was pissed at the weather man to say the least.). He arrived back home, parked the car in the garage and dried it off. Unfortunately, the tops of the vehicle had terrible water spots that set in, in just 30 minutes as the most.

I did my research and took the proper steps to removing the water spots.

1. Meg's #7 - thick application and sat on the paint for 24 hours.
2. GG, Klasse AIO, LC Green and then Orange Pad
3. GG, Meg's 205, LC Green and then Orange Pad
4. GG, Meg's 105, LC Green and then Orange Pad

Nothing was able to even put a dent into the removal of the water spots. Idk what the next step is...wet sanding, paint, etc.

I'd like to offer this client a direction. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks, Kieran

[Mike Phillips]

Do you have a copy of either the first edition or the second edition of my how-to book? I have a picture of Type III Water Spots.

The picture can be found on page 34 of either edition.


The remedy in my how-to book states exactly what the problem is and also the remedy, which is the only way to remove a Type III Water Spot is to abrade the surface till you remove enough of the stained paint to your or your customer's satisfaction.

Sometimes the gorging of the paint with the #7 will help to revive the original color and sometimes it won't, you don't know until you try. Since you've already tried this then the only options left are,

Abrade the paint more, either compounding or sanding and then compounding

Learn to live with the defects


Sorry to hear of the damage as this car is now considered a classic...

[Mike Phillips]

Any luck with this Kieran?


Sometimes there's not much a person can do...