How to Get Rid of Water Spots on a Car

How to Get Rid of Water Spots on a Car

How to Get Rid of Water Spots on a Car

While what's inside matters more than what's outside, this is a saying that's not entirely true for cars. The quality of your car exterior can add value to your vehicle, and says a lot about you as a car owner. People spend thousands of dollars to repaint their cars to get rid of scratches, scuff marks, and oxidation, but not too many people pay attention to water spots.

A few water spots here and there aren't much of a big deal, but not when you own a shiny vintage, a very expensive sports car, or if you really want to preserve the brand-new look of your vehicle. If you have problems with water spots on your car paint, here are some ways to get rid of them.

What are Water Spots?Water spots are the mineral deposits left behind when water comes into contact with the paint. Water is not a mere combination of hydrogen and oxygen molecules; it is a mixture containing many minerals and substances that do not completely dissolve in the solvent. When the water itself evaporates, the minerals and impurities get left behind. Heat and air then bakes the impurities into the car paint. Over time, water spots build up and greatly lower the value of your car.

Water spots have two damaging effects to your car exterior:

• Calcification and solidification. Mineral deposits and other impurities from soap and water are very difficult to remove once they are baked into the paint or the clear coat.
• Burning. Think of small water droplets as tiny lenses that can literally burn a hole in your paint job. The water droplets magnify the sun's heat and light, and a highly-focused and intense beam of heat and light then ruins your paint job.

Causes of Water SpotsHere are three of the most common causes of water spots in vehicles:

• Car washing. If you clean your car with solid soap or powdered detergent, you'll end up leaving a lot of chalky minerals in the water. When you don't wash the impurities away properly, the minerals will build up and bake into the paint.
• Weather. Acid rain, smog, and all sorts of pollutants in the air can build up "seeds" where water can form water spots.
• Old paint and clear coat. Old, oxidized paint and clear coat are more susceptible to water spots than new paint.

Do Not DetailUnless your vehicle is oxidized or that the paint has faded, do not perform detailing work like claying or polishing. Exterior detailing only makes the paint smoother and brings up a new layer of clear coat; it does not remove water spots. Claying and polishing will only make the problem worse.

Dissolving Water SpotsIt's tempting at this point to repaint the car or perform an exterior detailing job, but remember that most water spots - particularly ones from calcified or baked-in minerals and impurities, are all just surface damage. If you clay or polish your car now, you may only end up rubbing the impurities deep into the clear coat, and cause more problems. Instead of a full exterior detailing job, you can opt to use a water spot remover.

Acidic Water Spot RemoversThe key to removing mineral deposits baked into the clear coat is to use an acidic chemical to dissolve the chemical bond between the paint or clear coat and the baked-in mineral deposits. A weak acid is usually enough to accomplish this task; do not use a very strong acid that will eat away at the paint and the steel. Here are two ingredients that you can use:

• Commercial water spot removers. For around three dollars, you can get a commercial water spot removing acid wash. The acid wash works a lot like waterless wash or car polish, only that it contains a weak acid solution that can dissolve the bond between the minerals and the clear coat.
• White vinegar. Another way to get rid of water spots is to make a weak solution of one part of white vinegar to four parts of water. It will take a while before you can completely wipe off the water spots with the acid solution. If you don't have the patience to carefully remove the water spots, you can use a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar to dissolve the mineral bonds one spot at a time.

Alkaline NeutralizersWhile acids help to dissolve the chemical bonds that cause the water spots, you should neutralize the strength of the acid by the time it has finished its work. If you do not neutralize the acid, the chemical will eventually dissolve the chemical bonds of your car's clear coat, and ruin the paint job. As soon as you have completely dissolved and removed the water spots, here are two ingredients that you can use to neutralize the acid:

• Commercial alkaline neutralizer. Some water spot removing products come with a neutralizer blended with the cleaner, or comes as a separate product. You have to use the neutralizer to halt the effects of the acid.
• Distilled water. Often, plain old distilled water works to stop the cleaning and dissolving action of the acid. Be careful not to use mineral water, because some of the added minerals in it could add more water spots.

Preventing Water SpotsWhile it may seem to be a very high and lofty dream to have a daily driving car without water spots, it's very possible to own one:

• Use waterless wash. Instead of using water and powdered soap or detergent to wash your car, you should use a waterless car wash. Waterless wash works by cleaning your car and giving it that professional quality washing treatment without using water. Waterless wash is a bit on the expensive side, but it is all worth the money if you want your car looking spiffy and clean.
• Protect the car exterior. Sealants and other products can help protect your car paint from damage from water spots. Many sealants work by preventing water droplets from beading up the car; instead, the water sheets away from the car, preventing water droplets from forming.
• Dry your car in a cool, dry place. One way that you can prevent water spots from forming is to not dry it under the sun. To minimize damage from heat and light, dry your car under the shade of a tree or inside your garage.

Water spots may seem harmless, but the fact is that they've already done their damage. With these tips to help you get rid of water spots, a clean, brand-new looking car will always be in your garage, ready for the road.

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