Remove hard water spots on car paint
Remove hard water spots on car paint
Here’s how to remove hard water spots on car paint.
The longer the hard water spots sit, 
the harder it is to remove them. If you remove hard water spots on car paint early when it’s just dried surface solids, you can easily remove the powder with a damp cloth. However, if you leave the spots, humidity in the air will cause the spots to etch into your paint.
Step 1 to remove hard water spots on car paint—try to dissolve the spots
Wash and dry your car. Then mix a 50/50 solution of distilled water and vinegar and use a microfiber towel to wipe it onto the stain. Rub the stain with a wet towel. Let it sit for a while and then wipe dry. Repeat several times. If this doesn’t work, you’ll have to polish the area.
I’ve seen many posts where posters recommend using a clay bar if the water/vinegar doesn’t work. Personally, I think that’s a complete waste of time and money. A clay bar is designed to pick off embedded rail dust or fibers. It can’t do anything for etched hard water stains.
Step 2 to remove spots —use Meguiar’s Water Spot Remover
Mequiar’s Water Spot Remover
Meguiar’s Water Spot Remover isn’t a polishing compound. The components shown below are designed to remove any remaining deposits in the paint. Meguiar’s removes hard water stains on car paint, glass, hard plastic, and chrome. Meguiar’s does not recommend using this product on matte or satin finishes.
Meguiar’s Water Spot Remover contains:
Water as a Diluent
Mineral Oil for a lubricant
Alumina as an Absorbent
Light Aromatic Hydrocarbons as a Solvent
C11-13 Synthetic Isoparaffin as a Solvent
Glycerin as a Humectant
Triethanolamine as a Buffer
Plant Oil as a Conditioner
Polysorbate 80 as an Emulsifier
Diethylhexyl Adipate as a Fragrance Component
Magnesium Nitrate as a Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone as aPreservative
Linalool as a Fragrance Component
Methylisothiazolinone as a Preservative
Step 3 to remove hard water spots —use a polishing compound
Mequiar’s Ultimate Compound G172 contains many of the same ingredients as the water spot remover, but also adds a micro-abrasive to polish out the etched water spots. Use a foam pad and a dual action polisher for the best results.
©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat