bad hard water on paint and windows

[miloman]

About two months ago one of the valves on my sprinkler system decided to stick open. I was at work, the car parked in the driveway. the water misted on the car from 4 am until almost 4 pm.....in 105 degree heat. The water in my neighborhood is very hard, to the point where it practically etched into the windows and even the paint. It's not just spots either, it's pretty much the entire window and sections of paint.

I've tried washing the windows with Windex, a couple different glass polishes, Simple Green, Lysol bathroom cleaner, vinegar and even used all of these with 0000 steel wool.

I've tried washing the paint with a couple basic car washes, a tried taking a clay-bar to it, the buffer with polishing compound didn't work, the buffer with fine-cut cleaner STARTED to work. My next step is trying medium-cut cleaner, and if that doesn't work, I guess it's wet-sand.

Does anybody have any other ideas or maybe a trick up their sleeve?

I really don't want to spend money taking it to a detailer.


Thanks

Mike

 

[7r3s3oqk37ums0f]

Clay bar

Purchase a clay bar kit from your local auto parts store. Clay bar's are very effective against removing rail dust, sap, and other dirt and grime. It is also effective against removing hard water spots, though I haven't used it for that purpose myself.

Google "clay bar water spots" and you'll find plenty of links to confirm this.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Purchase a clay bar kit from your local auto parts store. Clay bar's are very effective against removing rail dust, sap, and other dirt and grime. It is also effective against removing hard water spots, though I haven't used it for that purpose myself.

Google "clay bar water spots" and you'll find plenty of links to confirm this.

He's already tried clay bar, which would have been my recommendation as well.

I would take it to a collision center and see what they say, honestly. If it's that bad, you're going to need an expert opinion.

 

[anthony05gt]

Get a bottle of 3M hand glaze. You just rub a small amount of it continuously on the suface until it dries up. The hand glaze does it's best work as it is actually drying, not while it's wet. Just work it in and let it do it's thing. Keep turning your cloth so it dries while you work. Don't let it dry on it's own then buff like you would with wax. You can get it at most places that sell auto paint supplies. It works very well on painted surfaces as well as glass.

 

[stang8urimport]

Been there done that with my Black GT. Clay bar worked perfect.

 

[stanmckinney]

Clay bar also would have been my suggestion. I would take it to an expert.

 

[Marine One]

Try some laquer thinner on the windows.

 

[infinityonhigh]

Just a little side note....the #2 fine cut cleaner and the #1 medium cut cleaner (Meguiars) are compounds suited for single stage paint ie. no clear coat. Granted I do not know your skill, but I can say that you might do more harm than good to use those products on your clear coat. I would try #83 dual action cleaner/polisher or #80 professional speed glaze as it is better suited for your paint. Water stains can be tricky, but they can come out. There might have been more in that mix then just hard water. Let us know how you do.

 

[Marine One]

Just a little side note....the #2 fine cut cleaner and the #1 medium cut cleaner (Meguiars) are compounds suited for single stage paint ie. no clear coat. Granted I do not know your skill, but I can say that you might do more harm than good to use those products on your clear coat. I would try #83 dual action cleaner/polisher or #80 professional speed glaze as it is better suited for your paint. Water stains can be tricky, but they can come out. There might have been more in that mix then just hard water. Let us know how you do.

I've used Meguiars fine cut on clear coated paint, applied both by hand and with a random orbital buffer. You just have to be careful with the pressure and let the product do the work.

 

[JLstang351]

Had this happen on my old black 01GT. It took almost 6 months to get them out. Clay bar, and many many washes. They will eventually go away, or at least lighten up.