Water Spots

FRANK121 · 05-18-2023, 01:36 PM

I'm afraid my car is ruined!

About a month ago it was covered with green pollen so I decided to spray it off and wash it the next day. The next day it rained followed by me having to work the following day it sat in the sun. I wasn't going to put a cover on a dirty car, since then I have been clay baring, polishing and even tried to buff with finishing grit. Looks good in the shade but sunlight and the entire top of the car is spotted even the mirrors!

About ready to sell it it makes me so sick I don't know what to try next or if can even be fixed?

Gunkk · 05-18-2023, 02:08 PM

If they are indeed hard mineral deposits, you could try CLR on it with mild agitation. And if that doesn't cut it go all in with wheel acid in an inconspicuous spot, but this is going nuclear on it ... and HF acid will go nuclear on you too if you don't use proper PPE.

DamonZ28 · 05-18-2023, 02:43 PM

Might want to try a detailing water spot remover first. Chemical Guys sells one that is usually available at Walmart or Auto Parts stores. I'd give that a try before using CLR or something harsher like that. If that fails, call a professional auto detailer, they'll tell you what's needed & how much it would cost.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chemical-...16-Oz/55451952

22SS1LE · 05-18-2023, 02:58 PM

you need to use a water spot remover first to remove all the minerals that are left behind. If you try to polish them out they will come back because you are not removing them. You are just driving them into the clear more. So after a good wipe down with a water spot remover you can polish and if you remove the scars from the spots they wont come back again.

Just using water spot remover will not remove the scars the water spots already caused. You need it to flush away the minerals and only polishing will remove the actual spots you are seeing.

DamonZ28 · 05-18-2023, 03:41 PM

Very good info there, I didn't know that!

sr71bb · 05-18-2023, 03:51 PM

I have had good luck in the past using a clay bar to clean the surface off.

FRANK121 · 05-18-2023, 03:57 PM

I first tried the water spot remover from chemical guys it's like an orange gel.
Didn't work.
Then I tried some CLR on a couple of small areas
Didn't work.
Then I went to buff and THAT didn't work?
I'm afraid what a professional detailer is going to say at this point!

Corky · 05-18-2023, 09:43 PM

Welcome to the world of the black Camaro... Sounds like you've tried all the options..A detailer has more tricks, one of them being a super light sandpaper/buff as a last resort... I thought I was at the point you are at once after numerous buffing compounds in various areas.. I ended up trying the clear windex {with vinegar} out of the sun in the shop and it actually worked after a few applications...I need to use this probably once a year between the regular cleaning {it'll strip any wax right off so be ready to reapply}..

sr71bb · 05-18-2023, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRANK121

I first tried the water spot remover from chemical guys it's like an orange gel.
Didn't work.
Then I tried some CLR on a couple of small areas
Didn't work.
Then I went to buff and THAT didn't work?
I'm afraid what a professional detailer is going to say at this point!

Well I doubt that you have ruined the paint. Sounds like the damage is IN the clear coat layer. If that is the case, then color sanding may be your only option. I would look for a body shop that does restorations on older cars because they would more likely have more expertise with color sanding. Obviously you need to take off just enough of the clear coat layer to get out the imperfections WITHOUT going thru the clearcoat into the base coat.

22SS1LE · 05-18-2023, 10:27 PM

what did you try and polish it with?
Polish/Pad/Machine or did you try by hand.
I highly doubt you did any major damage after 1 day in the sun.

FRANK121 · 05-19-2023, 02:02 PM

Currently I have tried the water spot remover from the chemical guys, clr on a small section and windex (not sure if it had the vinegar) clay bar and even tried buffing with swirl remover and final glaze wax with orbital buffer.

22SS1LE · 05-19-2023, 04:04 PM

when you say orbital polisher. do you mean one of those orbital waxer things?

A proper dual action polisher and correct pad and polish should get them out no problem.

Sales@Phastek · 05-19-2023, 05:28 PM

I agree with the water spot remover first. After I would wash, clay bar, wash again, and from here determine if a compound is necessary. There are several good clear coat safe compounds out there that are pretty mild (in order to be clear coat safe) and with time and patience get the job done.

As previously mentioned Chemical Guys makes some great preforming products.

Good Luck!

Silveradoss573 · 05-19-2023, 06:12 PM

I've had good results in the past with meguiar's water spot remover available at any local auto parts store.

05-18-2023, 01:36 PM	#1
FRANK121 Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sullivan, Missouri Posts: 653 View My Garage	Water Spots I'm afraid my car is ruined! About a month ago it was covered with green pollen so I decided to spray it off and wash it the next day. The next day it rained followed by me having to work the following day it sat in the sun. I wasn't going to put a cover on a dirty car, since then I have been clay baring, polishing and even tried to buff with finishing grit. Looks good in the shade but sunlight and the entire top of the car is spotted even the mirrors! About ready to sell it it makes me so sick I don't know what to try next or if can even be fixed? __________________ 2022 Black ZL1 RotoFab CAI, AWE Touring Edition Cat Back Exhaust. 665 Crank hp. est. and 660 Crank ft. lbs. est. Never been Dynoed

05-18-2023, 02:08 PM	#2
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,975 View My Garage	Better living through chemistry? If they are indeed hard mineral deposits, you could try CLR on it with mild agitation. And if that doesn't cut it go all in with wheel acid in an inconspicuous spot, but this is going nuclear on it ... and HF acid will go nuclear on you too if you don't use proper PPE.

05-18-2023, 02:43 PM	#3
DamonZ28 Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 522 View My Garage	Might want to try a detailing water spot remover first. Chemical Guys sells one that is usually available at Walmart or Auto Parts stores. I'd give that a try before using CLR or something harsher like that. If that fails, call a professional auto detailer, they'll tell you what's needed & how much it would cost. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chemical-...16-Oz/55451952 __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS - Riverside Blue, NPP, Magnetic Ride, Sunroof RUXIFEY Smoked LED Side Marker Lights / Black SS emblem on rear bumper / Blue SS vinyl overlay on front bumper emblem / Wildhammer Rear Dark Reflectors / Trim Illusion Gloss Black Door Handle Covers / eBay Black Fuel Door / Screaming Chicken Fender Hash Marks / Color-Matched G2 Caliper Paint RE Audio RFX10D4 10" Sub / Hand-made sub enclosure / Hifonics Zeus ZRX1200.1D amp / JL Audio LoC-22 line output converter / Sub Thump Plug N Play T-Harness With ANC Defeat Harness Kit My Camaro Journal

05-18-2023, 02:58 PM	#4
22SS1LE Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE 6M Join Date: May 2022 Location: Pittsburgh pa Posts: 518 View My Garage	you need to use a water spot remover first to remove all the minerals that are left behind. If you try to polish them out they will come back because you are not removing them. You are just driving them into the clear more. So after a good wipe down with a water spot remover you can polish and if you remove the scars from the spots they wont come back again. Just using water spot remover will not remove the scars the water spots already caused. You need it to flush away the minerals and only polishing will remove the actual spots you are seeing. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake

05-18-2023, 03:41 PM	#5
DamonZ28 Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 522 View My Garage	Very good info there, I didn't know that! __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS - Riverside Blue, NPP, Magnetic Ride, Sunroof RUXIFEY Smoked LED Side Marker Lights / Black SS emblem on rear bumper / Blue SS vinyl overlay on front bumper emblem / Wildhammer Rear Dark Reflectors / Trim Illusion Gloss Black Door Handle Covers / eBay Black Fuel Door / Screaming Chicken Fender Hash Marks / Color-Matched G2 Caliper Paint RE Audio RFX10D4 10" Sub / Hand-made sub enclosure / Hifonics Zeus ZRX1200.1D amp / JL Audio LoC-22 line output converter / Sub Thump Plug N Play T-Harness With ANC Defeat Harness Kit My Camaro Journal

05-18-2023, 03:51 PM	#6
sr71bb Drives: 2019 Camaro Z-28 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,485	CLAY BAR I have had good luck in the past using a clay bar to clean the surface off. __________________ __________________________________________ 2019 SS 1LE BIG NA A10 Eagles Canyon Raceway 2.7 CCW Below https://youtu.be/c9M5UHDftcA 4-15-23 at SCCA TT U1 Class MEGA Thread on THIS car: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602092 Retired Cars BELOW: 1973 Camaro, 1969 Camaro, 1969 Camaro SS RS 2010 Camaro SS with 1000HP F1R, 2019 ZL1 1LE A10

05-18-2023, 03:57 PM	#7
FRANK121 Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sullivan, Missouri Posts: 653 View My Garage	I first tried the water spot remover from chemical guys it's like an orange gel. Didn't work. Then I tried some CLR on a couple of small areas Didn't work. Then I went to buff and THAT didn't work? I'm afraid what a professional detailer is going to say at this point! __________________ 2022 Black ZL1 RotoFab CAI, AWE Touring Edition Cat Back Exhaust. 665 Crank hp. est. and 660 Crank ft. lbs. est. Never been Dynoed

05-18-2023, 09:43 PM	#8
Corky Drives: 2019 1SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Harrisburg,Pa. Posts: 74	Welcome to the world of the black Camaro... Sounds like you've tried all the options..A detailer has more tricks, one of them being a super light sandpaper/buff as a last resort... I thought I was at the point you are at once after numerous buffing compounds in various areas.. I ended up trying the clear windex {with vinegar} out of the sun in the shop and it actually worked after a few applications...I need to use this probably once a year between the regular cleaning {it'll strip any wax right off so be ready to reapply}.. __________________ 1st Gen ground effects kit GBA black , GM CAI , Velossa Ram Air, Expel PPF, illuminated door sills, Upgraded door panels with spectrum lighting

05-18-2023, 10:27 PM	#10
22SS1LE Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE 6M Join Date: May 2022 Location: Pittsburgh pa Posts: 518 View My Garage	what did you try and polish it with? Polish/Pad/Machine or did you try by hand. I highly doubt you did any major damage after 1 day in the sun. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake

05-19-2023, 02:02 PM	#11
FRANK121 Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sullivan, Missouri Posts: 653 View My Garage	Currently I have tried the water spot remover from the chemical guys, clr on a small section and windex (not sure if it had the vinegar) clay bar and even tried buffing with swirl remover and final glaze wax with orbital buffer. __________________ 2022 Black ZL1 RotoFab CAI, AWE Touring Edition Cat Back Exhaust. 665 Crank hp. est. and 660 Crank ft. lbs. est. Never been Dynoed

05-19-2023, 04:04 PM	#12
22SS1LE Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE 6M Join Date: May 2022 Location: Pittsburgh pa Posts: 518 View My Garage	when you say orbital polisher. do you mean one of those orbital waxer things? A proper dual action polisher and correct pad and polish should get them out no problem. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake

05-19-2023, 05:28 PM	#13
Sales@Phastek Drives: 2016 1SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,817	If you are planning on tackling yourself... I agree with the water spot remover first. After I would wash, clay bar, wash again, and from here determine if a compound is necessary. There are several good clear coat safe compounds out there that are pretty mild (in order to be clear coat safe) and with time and patience get the job done. As previously mentioned Chemical Guys makes some great preforming products. Good Luck! __________________

05-19-2023, 06:12 PM	#14
Silveradoss573 Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA Posts: 1,348	I've had good results in the past with meguiar's water spot remover available at any local auto parts store.

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