autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Regular Member Lustrous Detail's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Posts
    162
    Post Thanks / Like

    Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Aloha!

    I have etched in water spots on my rear quarter panel and rear passenger door, passenger side. I tried compounding first but that didn't remove it so I want to try wet sanding it out. I got Meguiars 1000 and 3000 grit 3in sanding disc. I also got the 3in foam interface to go on my 2-7/8 backing plate for my porter cable. My truck has factory paint on it. My questions are:

    1. Do I approach with the least aggressive method first? 3000 grit? Or should I start with the 1000grit?

    2. Is machine sanding considered more aggressive than hand sanding?

    Thank you in advance.

  2. #2
    Super Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    1,205
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Please post pics, I have never came across water etching most polishes couldn't tackle, let alone a compound. Sanding just seems excessive for water etching.

  3. #3
    Super Member medicscott's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    582
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Baldone View Post
    Please post pics, I have never came across water etching most polishes couldn't tackle, let alone a compound. Sanding just seems excessive for water etching.
    Totally agree. A good paint cleansing lotion like Pinnacle using a DA should remove those water spots with ease.

    As for sanding 1000 is very aggressive. But 1500 would be a good place to start. Meguires does not make 1500 grit in 3" for whatever reason.

    As for machine wet sanding, although it doesn't seem to make sense is safer IMO than hand because of the uniformity of the machine doing the work versus your hand. To use 1500 grit you would have to get a foam brick and wrap your paper around that, then use the 3000 via 3" disc.

    But as Billy mentioned it seems way too excessive for true water spots.

  4. #4
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Central Arizona
    Posts
    141
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Rule of thumb is you always start least aggressive no matter what method. That said I too agree with Billy about try in wet sand or dry sand just yet.

    Try a different pad with a more aggressive cut and or a different compound. What compound and pad did you use to first try removal?

    As far as sanding with hand or machine it's all about that technique and how hard or soft you push, how long you sand the spot. Check out this post if you go the sanding route.

    http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-phillips.html

  5. #5
    Regular Member Lustrous Detail's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Posts
    162
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Baldone View Post
    Please post pics, I have never came across water etching most polishes couldn't tackle, let alone a compound. Sanding just seems excessive for water etching.
    I'll take pics after work. Thanks.

  6. #6
    Regular Member Lustrous Detail's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Posts
    162
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    Quote Originally Posted by High Caliber View Post
    Rule of thumb is you always start least aggressive no matter what method. That said I too agree with Billy about try in wet sand or dry sand just yet.

    Try a different pad with a more aggressive cut and or a different compound. What compound and pad did you use to first try removal?

    As far as sanding with hand or machine it's all about that technique and how hard or soft you push, how long you sand the spot. Check out this post if you go the sanding route.

    http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-phillips.html
    Last November when I purchased the truck, I had an owner of a detail shop take a look at it. He used a porter cable DA, green rupes pad and meguiars ultimate compound. I believe he used speed setting 5-6.

  7. #7
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    464
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    I used to do some light wetsanding, but over time decided it's just not worth it for myself and my customers.. especially here in HI because the UV index is so high you need as much clear coating as you can get otherwise that clear is going to FAIL one day sooner than normal. Unless of course you're going to apply multi layers of a coating that replace that lost clear coating.

    When I did wetsanding, i never went thru a customers clear, but i've gon through my own cars clear VERY QUICKLY. There's really not a lot of clear there. And I only used #2000 grit, never anything less.

  8. #8
    Super Member asalesagent912's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    586
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Etched Water Spots on Paint

    doesn't sound like water marks.
    Like the above said i never seen water marks that couldnt be taken out with compound. Ill bet there bird poop etching

Similar Threads

  1. Getting rid of etched water spots
    By pilotpip in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-12-2017, 04:55 PM
  2. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 06-24-2012, 11:36 AM
  3. Etched Water Spots
    By zinc02gt in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-16-2010, 06:22 PM
  4. water spots etched into windows
    By Jay Laub in forum Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Orbital Polisher
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-15-2007, 01:18 PM
  5. Etched water spots. help
    By Tex Star Detail in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 12-13-2006, 02:27 PM

Members who have read this thread: 0

There are no members to list at the moment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456