Water spots on your car’s paint can be a frustrating problem to deal with. These spots can be caused by a variety of factors, including mineral deposits from hard water and even bird droppings. While water eventually evaporates from the paint, any dirt trapped in the water is left behind, building up on your vehicle’s surface.
The effect is a slow erosion of your car’s paint and glass, with marks being etched into these surfaces. This is where you come in to save the day – by removing these annoying spots properly.
Steps to Remove Water Spots
Luckily, there are many simple ways to remove water spots from the surface of your vehicle.
The method necessary will depend on how long the water spots have been present and how much damage has already been caused. Professional detailers should ask for this information from clients.
Here are some measures to remove water spots, starting with the least harsh and up to the most aggressive for extra stubborn spots.
Thorough Wash
A good wash is an important first step. Water spots may be recent enough that a good car shampoo can remove them.
Using a strip wash like our Fresh Start will also prep the surface if there is evidence that more aggressive measures need to be taken.
Rinse first with a hose or pressure washer. Use a foam gun or a bucket of soapy water and work the soap in with a wash mitt. Give the vehicle a good final rinse when you’re done.
After washing, dry the surface completely with a microfiber towel to ensure no new water spots will form.
Water Spot Remover
Our dedicated Spot Spray is the best way to remove somewhat recent water spots without damaging the vehicle’s finish. It’s safe for use on standard clear coat, gel coat on boats, and windows, but it is not for use on aluminum. Although this is safe on these surfaces, allowing the product to dry or spraying onto a hot panel should be avoided to prevent damage from occuring.
Check out this DK TV video to learn more about our Spot Spray.
Before applying, make sure the vehicle has been prepared with a strip wash to remove oils and loose dirt or debris.
Spray the spot remover onto the cool, dry surface. Working on a hot vehicle or under the sun can cause the chemical to dry up before it can be properly buffed off. Work the product in with a clean microfiber towel.
Finish by rinsing the surface with water or even washing again depending on how much of the vehicle had water spots, and then dry with a good microfiber drying towel to fully remove any remaining product.
Clay Bar
Clay bars are designed to pick up contaminants in the clear coat. That means clay can be a great fit for removing the minerals or debris that form water spots.
Start with a clean surface (follow the wash steps above). To begin, spray the area with a clay lubricant such as our Wonder Lube. The clay bar will pick up contaminants as you rub it back and forth over the clear coat. Synthetic clay products can also be used for this step – check out all of the clay products we have available..
Check out our video to learn more about the clay products we offer and how to use them for decontamination.
Paint Correction
When water spots have been allowed to set for too long, the problem is no longer on the surface level. Contaminants left on the vehicle can begin to etch into the clear coat and the longer they are left there, the deeper they will etch. Simply removing the debris on top of the surface will not remove the etching.
When this is the case, paint correction steps may be required.
Using a compound and polish like our Diamond Cut Lite and Blue Diamond Polish and Sealant can smooth out the divots created by the water spots. The depth of the etching or scratches in the clear coat will determine the best combination of pads and compound to use.
It’s important to know and inform your customer that just like with any surface damage, there are limitations to what paint correction to do. When water spots go untreated for more than a year, they can potentially etch through the clear coat and into the paint. In that situation, there’s nothing a detailer can do to completely remove the spots.
Steel Wool for Windows
Many of the measures taken for painted surfaces are just as effective on glass. Glass cleaner and water spot remover will often do the trick, but sometimes compounding will be necessary.
Glass is harder than clear coat and can withstand more aggressive treatment before taking damage. Use steel wool with the glass cleaner rather than a window towel to pack more of a punch.
For stubborn water spots that have been in the glass for a long time, try applying a heavy compound in combination with the steel wool. Check out our detailing hack clip to see this method in action.
Prevent Future Water Spots
Water spots occur when drops of water are allowed to dry and set. Therefore, protecting your vehicle’s paint is the most important part of water spot prevention.
Using a coating such as a wax or polymer sealant like STS 3000 will slow down the etching and also make the surface more hydrophobic, meaning water and dirt will wick off rather than setting. Ceramic coatings will offer the longest lasting protection and superior water beading. Check out our full line of Jade Ceramics.
All of the methods discussed above for water spot removal will strip the protective coating off of a vehicle’s clear coat, so adding a new layer of protection is twice as important.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove water spots from the surface of your vehicle and restore its shine (if they have not etched completely through the clear coat). Remember to be attentive when washing and drying your car and to take the necessary precautions to protect it from water spots.