Wet sanding water spots
11-06-16, 03:26 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Wet sanding water spots
Not on the ISF, but on my 2005 Toyota Highlander.
The Previous owner didn't take good care of it, there were water spots all over the hood and the roof.
I succeeded to get half the hood polished, but the rest of the spots will not come off all the way. The roof was just a lost cause.
I was watching some YouTube videos and it seems some people are using 3000 grit sand paper with spray wax on bird poop, stepping it up to 2500 if the 3000 doesn't work.
I was wondering maybe this will work on the water spots as well.
The Previous owner didn't take good care of it, there were water spots all over the hood and the roof.
I succeeded to get half the hood polished, but the rest of the spots will not come off all the way. The roof was just a lost cause.
I was watching some YouTube videos and it seems some people are using 3000 grit sand paper with spray wax on bird poop, stepping it up to 2500 if the 3000 doesn't work.
I was wondering maybe this will work on the water spots as well.
11-06-16, 10:46 PM
#3
I would recommend trying some water spot chemicals before sanding. Sanding is a very aggressive solution for water spots. I ordered some Optimum Mineral Deposit Remover recently to clean the polished accents in my shower and it worked great for removing water spots. I haven't tried it on car paint yet, but I imagine it'll work great.
11-07-16, 09:11 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
I would try polishing/compounding with a PC/orital with a orange pad. It should eventually remove the water spots. You can also try alcohol or white/clear vinegar or chemical products designed to get rid of spots, you can soak a towel with the vinegar and a little distilled water and let it sit on the water spots and then try to rub them off. If you wet sand the hood you will need a polisher to remove the sanding scratches and it may take a lot longer then you expect. I have wet sanded before painting and noticed not all water spots come out that easily so you have to remove a fair amount of clear coat to get some especially if there is deeper etching involved.
11-07-16, 06:14 PM
#5
As posted in existing threads on the same topic.....
Please remember that the forum contains a very useful search function... this topic has been covered in many other threads. In an effort to consolidate information into as few locations as possible to make it easier to find, please search for an existing topic before creating a new thread 
Please read these articles for more info on water spots:
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Please read these articles for more info on water spots:
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Hard water will cause severe damage to automotive paint, so it is not uncommon at all. Also, it should be considered owner neglect, and not a paint quality issue. If it was the dealer who left the car on the lot after spraying it down, then they should be to blame... however if you were in possession of the car when the damage was done, I would not expect the dealer to have anything to do with fixing it. Hard water should be removed from a vehicle immediately to avoid potential damage... much like bug guts or bird droppings should be removed immediately. This is general car care.
Please read these articles for more info:
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
As Chad demonstrated in the article I linked above, an intense paint correction process can usually remove the majority of etched water damage. These services are time consuming and require a knowledgeable professional for the best results... if paired with a coating service like CQuartz, it may be rather expensive... especially if you were just hoping to pay for a "standard detail".
What were you quoted for the service if you don't mind me asking? and who are you working with to do the job?
-Zach
Please read these articles for more info:
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
As Chad demonstrated in the article I linked above, an intense paint correction process can usually remove the majority of etched water damage. These services are time consuming and require a knowledgeable professional for the best results... if paired with a coating service like CQuartz, it may be rather expensive... especially if you were just hoping to pay for a "standard detail".
What were you quoted for the service if you don't mind me asking? and who are you working with to do the job?
-Zach
Last edited by zmcgovern4; 11-17-16 at 03:14 PM.
11-07-16, 11:04 PM
#6
Don't sand the paint. Get a good polish/compound and give it a good buff. I had extreme hard water stains on my old is300 when I purchased it. I used the meguires scratch x and it took care of it
Also bar keepers friend works wonders on hard water stains aswel.
Also bar keepers friend works wonders on hard water stains aswel.
Last edited by Golden95SC; 11-07-16 at 11:11 PM.
11-15-16, 10:35 AM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
I did try all of the methods above. I suppose I could try wet sanding with 3000 grit on a small area, then buff it and see what happens.
It would be helpful if I had a paint thickness meter, but these things are really pricey.
It would be helpful if I had a paint thickness meter, but these things are really pricey.
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11-17-16, 08:33 AM
#8
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They may be pricey, but it is still far cheaper then needing to repaint a panel on your car if you mess it up. Go very lightly if you are going to sand, as most factory clears are pretty thin.
11-17-16, 03:20 PM
#10
I'm not sure why, but the forum jacked up those links.... these should work
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
11-17-16, 06:27 PM
#11
I'm not sure why, but the forum jacked up those links.... these should work
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
Understanding Water Spots & How to Avoid Them by Zach McGovern
Removing Water Spots by Zach McGovern
Removing etched-in water spots and holograms from a 2010 BMW 528i by Rasky by Chad Raskovich
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