IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Water spots

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 10:00 AM
  #1  
ovrdriv's Avatar
ovrdriv
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default Water spots

Black IS 350 F Sport. Anyone know the best product(s) to remove water spots? Haven't found a good one yet. Tried several.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 10:22 AM
  #2  
drbazing's Avatar
drbazing
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 558
Likes: 5
From: CA
Default

Is this on your paint? I seem to just wash away the ones on paint but the ones on my moon roof is hard to take out.

If you want to check this out:
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17216-Ultimate-Compound-15-2/dp/B001O7PNNM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1415211735&sr=8-5&keywords=water+spot+remover http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17216-Ultimate-Compound-15-2/dp/B001O7PNNM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1415211735&sr=8-5&keywords=water+spot+remover
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 10:26 AM
  #3  
Need4Speed's Avatar
Need4Speed
Former Sponsor
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 54
From: CA
Default

Yes there's a product from 3D that makes an ease to remove water spots with out getting aggressive on your paint or windows. I'll try and look for the name I bought it a month ago and it came out great .
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 12:40 PM
  #4  
IS1911's Avatar
IS1911
Driver
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

Originally Posted by ovrdriv
Black IS 350 F Sport. Anyone know the best product(s) to remove water spots? Haven't found a good one yet. Tried several.
Some water spots need to be polished out. One of the best products to use is Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0. It's available in most auto parts stores and you don't need to be an experienced detailer to use it with good results. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. Make sure the area around the spots is clean so that you aren't inducing scratches when applying or removing the Scratch X.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 01:33 PM
  #5  
Swacer's Avatar
Swacer
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 12
From: PA
Default

Originally Posted by IS1911
Some water spots need to be polished out. One of the best products to use is Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0. It's available in most auto parts stores and you don't need to be an experienced detailer to use it with good results. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. Make sure the area around the spots is clean so that you aren't inducing scratches when applying or removing the Scratch X.
Scratch X is way too gritty for just water marks. Just use the meguiars ultimate polish in the black bottle. After that, apply some spray wax to recoat the coating you just polished off. If you still have marks, look for a filler glaze.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 04:28 PM
  #6  
Sexus99's Avatar
Sexus99
Rookie
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

My buddy uses a touch of vinegar and water, then does a complete wash....don't know if that is bad for the paint? It works without barely any elbow grease, and removes the all the water spots.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 04:51 PM
  #7  
thespaz18's Avatar
thespaz18
Rookie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: DE
Default

I own a black IS350 F-Sport as well and decided to get Opti-Coat applied to the entire car. It's obviously a more costly avenue, but it helps greatly reduce water spots. However, if that's not an option for you, I would suggest looking into Chemical Guys Water Spot Remover. Also, stay away from Scratch-X for water spot removal. It's too abrasive, especially for the soft clear coat used by Toyota/Lexus, and will undoubtedly scratch it. Trust me - I've used it and it marred the clear coat. Lastly, if you're looking for a filler, try Prima Banana Gloss.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 06:53 PM
  #8  
kmanpete24's Avatar
kmanpete24
Rookie
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

If you are in south Florida I would help you. Best thing to do is clay it first. Claying will take out 90% of the water spots. After use a dual action polisher and m105 to get the etched water spots. After get something like gtech to protect it.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2014 | 08:08 PM
  #9  
JB5674's Avatar
JB5674
Advanced
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 510
Likes: 50
From: MD
Default

Originally Posted by kmanpete24
If you are in south Florida I would help you. Best thing to do is clay it first. Claying will take out 90% of the water spots. After use a dual action polisher and m105 to get the etched water spots. After get something like gtech to protect it.
Listen this this guy. Hes on the right path. Personally, I am partial to Wolfgang products. I start with a wash with ONR ( optimum no rinse wash ), then I clay, then wash again. Now the fun....

With a dual action polisher
Start with wolfgang TSR ( total swirl remover ) - orange pad
Then hit with Wolfgang Glaze - white pad
After I seal it with Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant - blue pad
Lastly I hit it with some good carnuba. Currently, I use Menzerna Color Lock then topped with Chemical Guys 50/50 wax. - red pad
After all that is said an done, I use Wolfgang Detail Mist for any residue as a clean up

Above is a full detail and a little over kill. I tend to do this about every 3 months. I have a black 350 F Sport but can honestly say, the car looks clean when its dirty.

For a wipe down, I use DuraGloss Marine Spray Detial followed by DuraGloss 945 Spray Wax.
The spray wax is actually a sealant and makes the car look like a mirror.

Owning a black car is a full time job to keep clean. I have been detailing for over a decade as a hobby and have mastered it for my car. My suggestion would be to read Autogeek dot net or many of the other detailing sites to gain familiarity with how to take care of paint. Personally, I dont get water spots due to many reasons above. What ever you do, dont use anything from an AutoZone or Wallmart etc. Use the right tool for the job, and you'll be very happy with the result. Good Luck
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2014 | 09:54 AM
  #10  
lexi90's Avatar
lexi90
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 24
From: CT
Default

Originally Posted by JB5674
Listen this this guy. Hes on the right path. Personally, I am partial to Wolfgang products. I start with a wash with ONR ( optimum no rinse wash ), then I clay, then wash again. Now the fun....

With a dual action polisher
Start with wolfgang TSR ( total swirl remover ) - orange pad
Then hit with Wolfgang Glaze - white pad
After I seal it with Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant - blue pad
Lastly I hit it with some good carnuba. Currently, I use Menzerna Color Lock then topped with Chemical Guys 50/50 wax. - red pad
After all that is said an done, I use Wolfgang Detail Mist for any residue as a clean up

Above is a full detail and a little over kill. I tend to do this about every 3 months. I have a black 350 F Sport but can honestly say, the car looks clean when its dirty.

For a wipe down, I use DuraGloss Marine Spray Detial followed by DuraGloss 945 Spray Wax.
The spray wax is actually a sealant and makes the car look like a mirror.

Owning a black car is a full time job to keep clean. I have been detailing for over a decade as a hobby and have mastered it for my car. My suggestion would be to read Autogeek dot net or many of the other detailing sites to gain familiarity with how to take care of paint. Personally, I dont get water spots due to many reasons above. What ever you do, dont use anything from an AutoZone or Wallmart etc. Use the right tool for the job, and you'll be very happy with the result. Good Luck
So true! Black cars = 2 full time jobs to clean and maintain. I've owned 3 and I'm not looking for a 3rd one

I would try a clay bar or polisher. Then, apply a spray wax or something to fill in the clear coat removed.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2014 | 04:37 PM
  #11  
IS1911's Avatar
IS1911
Driver
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

Originally Posted by Swacer
Scratch X is way too gritty for just water marks.
Originally Posted by thespaz18
Also, stay away from Scratch-X for water spot removal. It's too abrasive, especially for the soft clear coat used by Toyota/Lexus, and will undoubtedly scratch it. Trust me - I've used it and it marred the clear coat. Lastly, if you're looking for a filler, try Prima Banana Gloss.
As a (non-professional) detailer with over 30 years experience I respectfully disagree with both of the above. I have personally used Scratch-X on my own black IS 350 to get rid of water spots on the top corners of my rear bumper. I used it by hand applying it with a Griot's Garage orange foam pad and removing immediately with a micro fiber cloth (no need to wait for polishes to dry). There was no damage to the clear coat as I applied it very lightly. The IS is my 4th black car, the other three were a '85 Mazda RX-7, a '94 Mazda MX-5 (Miata) and a '10 Porsche 911S. I've also used Scratch-X with great success on the Porsche. Scratch-X didn't exist when I owned the Mazda's so back then I was using 3M light compound. Another polish that I really like is Griot's Garage Machine Polish #3. In spite of it's name it can be applied by hand however it's extremely gentle when applied by hand and requires quite a bit of time and effort which is why I recommended using Scratch-X.

The OP started this thread looking for a way to remove water spots. Some of the posts above suggesting that he purchase professional detailing equipment such as a DA polisher and advanced top coats is completely over-the-top for his purposes. I personally own both straight drive and DA machines and yes, they are an excellent way to maintain a black car but complete overkill for someone simply looking to remove water spots. Not everyone enjoys or has the time and/or funds to invest in this kind of equipment and obtain the needed skills to use it properly.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2014 | 05:47 PM
  #12  
davyjordi's Avatar
davyjordi
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 182
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Originally Posted by IS1911

The OP started this thread looking for a way to remove water spots. Some of the posts above suggesting that he purchase professional detailing equipment such as a DA polisher and advanced top coats is completely over-the-top for his purposes. I personally own both straight drive and DA machines and yes, they are an excellent way to maintain a black car but complete overkill for someone simply looking to remove water spots. Not everyone enjoys or has the time and/or funds to invest in this kind of equipment and obtain the needed skills to use it properly.
agreed. i would have absolutely no idea what i'd be doing if i were to buy the equipment and materials suggested. it would be best for me (and a whole lot of others) to use a professional detailer or use simpler means, e.g., meguiar's scratchx, to obtain favourable results.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2014 | 10:33 PM
  #13  
BOBFSPORT's Avatar
BOBFSPORT
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 457
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Default

Red wine vinegar!
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2014 | 10:31 AM
  #14  
Rsnic's Avatar
Rsnic
Rookie
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Getting a coating will make keeping your car clean easier. I have a black 3IS and Opti-coat seems to be a lot more resistant to staining either from water spots or bugs. A downside is that because the coating is so hydrophobic standing water beads very tightly which leaves behind water spots as its dries. For the most part a simple wash will get rid of the spots, but for the more stubborn ones i've been using CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover which has worked well.

http://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-...912/500-ml-S1/

Make sure you completely dry your car after washing and avoid sprinklers at all cost. Rain doesn't have the types of minerals found in ground water that are the culprits behind water spots, but will still leave behind some dirt.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2014 | 11:34 AM
  #15  
lexi90's Avatar
lexi90
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 24
From: CT
Default

Originally Posted by IS1911
As a (non-professional) detailer with over 30 years experience I respectfully disagree with both of the above. I have personally used Scratch-X on my own black IS 350 to get rid of water spots on the top corners of my rear bumper. I used it by hand applying it with a Griot's Garage orange foam pad and removing immediately with a micro fiber cloth (no need to wait for polishes to dry). There was no damage to the clear coat as I applied it very lightly. The IS is my 4th black car, the other three were a '85 Mazda RX-7, a '94 Mazda MX-5 (Miata) and a '10 Porsche 911S. I've also used Scratch-X with great success on the Porsche. Scratch-X didn't exist when I owned the Mazda's so back then I was using 3M light compound. Another polish that I really like is Griot's Garage Machine Polish #3. In spite of it's name it can be applied by hand however it's extremely gentle when applied by hand and requires quite a bit of time and effort which is why I recommended using Scratch-X.

The OP started this thread looking for a way to remove water spots. Some of the posts above suggesting that he purchase professional detailing equipment such as a DA polisher and advanced top coats is completely over-the-top for his purposes. I personally own both straight drive and DA machines and yes, they are an excellent way to maintain a black car but complete overkill for someone simply looking to remove water spots. Not everyone enjoys or has the time and/or funds to invest in this kind of equipment and obtain the needed skills to use it properly.
Well said. And for the record, I am also a "non-professional detailer" who's been doing this for 10+ yrs
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ennjay
Automotive Care & Detailing
8
Apr 23, 2010 11:33 PM
satellite
Hawaii and Guam
8
Jan 28, 2008 10:48 AM
elgreco008
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
7
May 22, 2007 03:19 PM
wesley
Automotive Care & Detailing
2
Dec 18, 2003 05:30 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:27 AM.