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  1. #11
    Mike Phillips
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    Re: Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    Quote Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000 View Post

    I saw the Rag Companies video where they used wheel brightener to remove hard water spots and it made me cringe.

    I remember one of my Meguiar's co-workers back in 1989ish showing me this approach. I believe it's the hydrofluoric acid in the wheel brightener that removes "some" types of water spots.


    Anyone telling someone else to use hydrofluoric acid in any form should also be warning them of the health risks if they get it on their skin, eyes or breathe into their lungs.




  2. #12
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    Re: Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    Acid works a treat on water spots and is the active ingredient in most water spot removers.

    Vinegar (an acid) is the best choice due to a availability, cost and low health risk.

    Sulfuric, hydrochloric and hydrofluric are extremely effective but vastly more dangerous. The latter being a form of acid almost all chemists shudder at the thought of. HF is horrendous stuff and should be avoided.

    So as Mike mentioned, using wheel brightener is effective and a good choice if you have it, but breathing apparatus should be used to reduce exposure.

  3. #13
    Super Member 57Rambler's Avatar
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    Re: Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    Quote Originally Posted by WristyManchego View Post
    Sulfuric, hydrochloric and hydrofluric are extremely effective but vastly more dangerous. The latter being a form of acid almost all chemists shudder at the thought of. HF is horrendous stuff and should be avoided.
    A qualifier is in order here ... in the case of many acids, whether or not they are "dangerous" depends on their concentration (by weight). Also, in most of these cases, the "dangerous" behavior associated usually refers to corrosivity, and that in turn depends on the acid's concentration. So, for example, low concentration hydrochloric or sulfuric acid can be safe to use, and conversely, high concentration acetic acid can be quite nasty.

    Hydrofluoric acid is an exception as even at very low concentrations it is toxic, mainly due to the fact that the fluoride ion itself is toxic.

    The worst stuff I ever had to deal with was fuming nitric acid in some of my organic chemistry labs ...

  4. #14
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    Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    Quote Originally Posted by 57Rambler View Post
    A qualifier is in order here ... in the case of many acids, whether or not they are "dangerous" depends on their concentration (by weight). Also, in most of these cases, the "dangerous" behavior associated usually refers to corrosivity, and that in turn depends on the acid's concentration. So, for example, low concentration hydrochloric or sulfuric acid can be safe to use, and conversely, high concentration acetic acid can be quite nasty.

    Hydrofluoric acid is an exception as even at very low concentrations it is toxic, mainly due to the fact that the fluoride ion itself is toxic.

    The worst stuff I ever had to deal with was fuming nitric acid in some of my organic chemistry labs ...
    Solid qualifier.

    Ergo: Everything is dangerous, it’s the quantity that counts.

    I deliberately played it cautious with the information given.

    HF is crazy stuff, calcium attack is no joke.

  5. #15
    Super Member Calendyr's Avatar
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    Re: Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    Quote Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000 View Post
    I’ve had a few instances of hard water spots and I’ve always wound up using a light polish to remove them. I saw the Rag Companies video where they used wheel brightener to remove hard water spots and it made me cringe. I suppose it is causing less damage than a light polish, but it still scares me to spray that stuff on my paint.
    Why? Clearcoat is not vulnerable to acids. Also Wheel Brightener is not that acid. I can't remember who printed the numbers on the forum but it's PH was 5.5... hardly acid at all.

  6. #16
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    Re: Using Vinegar to remove water spots

    While I’m not thinking it’s not harmful, WB to me isn’t that strong. I am no ace in chemistry and still use gloves with it

    There are many other production wheel acids that the smell alone will make you want to leave the room and punish brake dust much quicker

    WB almost seems like a mild maintenance product when using it. It works yes but it’s not overwhelming by any stretch


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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