I am having a problem I cannot figure out. I wash my 06 LS in my garage and dry it by hand. Later in the week after driving the car I discover water marks/stains on the front doors under the outside mirrors. Has anyone else experienced this? I have notice the same issue with other LS.

 

what you should do is after u dry your car, take it out for a quick spin so that all the water comes out from the cracks of the mirrors and stuff and dry it again. what you could also do is open and close your door, water will come out of there too. hope that helps

 

This phenomenon is not isolated to the LS, but many different cars. To answer your question, yes, I experience this as well. You would expect that after a week any trapped water would eventually evaporate or drain, but that isn't necessarily the case.

As suggested by jeffreyma, taking it for a spin after wiping the car down following a wash is a good way to combat your issue. That said, you won't necessarily get it all.

 

I am in Vegas, so all I have to do is not driving the car for 3-4 hours and no more water!

 

You guys are amatures. I'm **** about my car being clean, waterspots do not and will not exist!!!! After you wash and dry your car have your mirrors folded out, your gas tank open and your trunk open. Squat down and blow hard into the cracks of the mirror....watch the water pour out. Also take a few paper towels and slide in between the actuall mirror and the housing to dry up the acess. As for the gas tank you should be able to completly dry the inside. When the car is still wet with the trunk open you should be able to spot all the spots where water might come out. Wipe it dry and dont forget underneath the licence plate.

Just a few tips. You guys can send thank you checks to So Phillys squeaky clean washes @ clublexus.com

 

My '05 LS for some reason doesn't do that (nor did my '03), but my Supra will, as will many cars. However, I always vacuum the residual water from all the joints, cracks, crevasses, weatherstripping, etc., whenever I wash the Supra.

So Philly, you should grab the shop vac instead of the paper towels -- does a better job and much faster/easier.

 

A leaf blower will do the trick. Gets all the hard to reach places.

 

Use an electric leaf blower that is clean. A gasoline powered one can be too powerful and actually blow some abrasive trash which can scar your paint.

 

Thanks for the reply. It is obvious the mirrors are holding water, I just want to know what ways other have found to take care of this problem. As I suspected it is a design issue. I am very well versed in how to detail a car but when it comes to Lexus paint I am very much an amature. It's more difficult than any I have dealt with before.
Thanks again to all who reply.

 

I agree with the guys that suggested a leaf blower. I purchased one years ago just for my cars. I use the leaf blower on the entire car. Start at the top and follow with the chamois. Do a section at a time working downward. This cuts out a lot of wringing on the chamois.

I wouldn't think of living without one.

 

Great idea,,, I use a Shamwow and Microfiber towel... Might just try that blower, but I think would be careful where you are blowing as the drive might still have water standing, The electric will not mix well standing in a puddle.

Am beginning to think this site is not for us armatures. Someone said he is **** about his spots, and actual blows into the mirror edges.. Don't think I would ever go that far, for a car that once I drive it 100 feet I have bug splattered on the windshield. Maybe if I were in a bug free area.. I do put a furnace air filter in front of the radiator to stop bugs from accumulating there.

 

That blower trick is something I learned here and do it regularly now. My drive has a bit of a slant so water drains pretty quick.

 

Actually, when I dry my cars, I open all the doors, hood, trunk, gas filler door and wipe it all down. I blow into the moldings and mirrors as well. If I am in a rush, I will do the quick drive around the block routine to get most out. Otherwise, I use my air compressor with air blower nozzle to blow in the crevices (beats using a bulky leaf blower or shop vac.)

Still, many times all of that won't get all of it. Therefore, you simply roll with a towel with you for the first 10 mins of your drive and plan to pull over and wipe the car down on the areas you missed.

 

Wow... you guys are hardcore here on cleaning. Leaf blower? I have a leaf blower that's pretty powerful, supposdely cat. 2 hurricane speed, but I'm afraid at that speed, it'll blow the cheap Lexus clearcoat and paint off.

 

Leaf blower is fine for the exterior water but won't put any pressure actually down in the cracks and crevasses such as weatherstripping, bumper cover/fender joints, parking lights, under the mirrors, etc., and therefore won't really remove the deep water that can eventually lead to corrosion on some vehicles. If you want the water out of those areas a good vacuum is way more effective, but of course way more trouble.