I have these specks on my side mirrors and windows. I've washed it, use window cleaner, and used pure vinegar and it won't come off. I've even seen it on the chrome on the driver side door. Any ideas on what it could be and how to get it off?
Tide laundry detergent, or whatever brand you use. If that doesn't work a little toilet bowl cleaner/bottled water mix. Obviously be very careful using harsh chemicals around paint. Tide/water mix should remove hard water spots.
I remember the last car I had that had water stains this bad I had to get it detailed professionally and they had to work on the clear coat and buff/polish it out. Anything I tried in google didn’t work for me. I hope something works for you
Hard water stains come from allowing the car to air dry with water beads. A mild rubbing compound will usually clear it up. A very mild rubbing compound is something like this Formula 1 Scratch Out. I've used it to remove fine marks in paint.
@Seminoles2 - I think you have received some good advice to remove the water spots, but you may find the following interesting and helpful to avoid water spots in the future.
I have found that at least in my area (Dallas) the rain definitely does not leave any water spots - in fact rain does a very good job of getting rid of surface dust and dirt, especially if it rains hard enough.
If you are like most people that use water from a city (public) water system, you may have what is called 'hard water' which is generally high in mineral salts, especially calcium. But, most city water systems are required to use either chlorine or chloramine in the distribution system. And that will absolutely leave water spots on a vehicle's finish and glass that is very difficult to remove. So, there's actually two ways that using city (public) water can leave behind water spots - naturally if it's hard water or if chlorine is added. Well water is likely high in minerals as well.
People that typically use a garden hose to wash their vehicle will often see whiteish, watered-down milk-like colored water coming out their hose, especially when first turning on the water. This is a sign of high chlorine in the water or chemicals leaching from the hose into the water. As you are probably aware, water from a garden tastes terrible and it's guaranteed to leave spots on your car's finish and glass if you don't dry it off. Leaving this treated or chemical-laden water to dry on its own or with the heat from intense sun is a definite non-no.
Also, stay away from residential and commercial irrigation systems, because this water is most likely from a city (public) water system too that has been treated with either chlorine or chloramine in the distribution system too.
Many self-service coin-operated car washes will have a 'Spot-Free Rinse' selection. A spot-free rinse differs from a standard rinse in the sense that spot-free systems use water that has been softened and/or filtered through reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionization. The spot-free system process removes contaminants and particles that can harm or leave spots on your vehicle, otherwise known as Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS. If you use a self-service car wash with a 'spot-free' rinse, be sure to take advantage of it. The result is water so pure it will dry without leaving spots or streaks! After washing your car, just rinse it with this pure 'spot-free rinse' water and go. You'll get spot-free results with no need to hand dry. It works!
A spot-free result is what I get when it rains here in my area. Rain here is never the cause of spots! I'll often back the vehicle out of the garage when there is a steady or heavy rain to purposely have it get rained on. I'll then use my 200mph air speed leaf blower to dry it off if the rain stops, otherwise I'll put it back in the garage and let it dry, (wait for it) spot free!
In fact, the Dallas areas has received a lot of heavy rain recently and I've driven my GS in it. It's drying 'spot-free' in the garage right now...
I'll often back the vehicle out of the garage when there is a steady or heavy rain to purposely have it get rained on. I'll then use my 200mph air speed leaf blower to dry it off if the rain stops, otherwise I'll put it back in the garage and let it dry, (wait for it) spot free!
