Need Detailer Advice re: Water spots on glass
 

I have tried many things but haven't found a solution yet.

When I recieved my car the windshield (and the rest of the car) were covered in water spots. I've managed to remove the spots from everywhere but the windshield. I just can't get them off. I've tried soap and water, Stoner's Invisible Glass, my detailer tried a clay bar, and I even tried a Calcium/Lime/Rust bathroom cleaner with no luck. I'm just sick of having what looks like a dirty windshield whenever I'm facing the sun.

So anything else I can try that won't distort the glass?

Thanks

you could try Mark V Splash

Just curious, when are you doing the actual wash.
If you do it while its hot and sun is out the water will evaporate quickly leaving behind the mineral gunk, try to wash early morning when its not hot and sun isn't really out.
Wipe off the water and stuff.

Sorry if this is what you've tried already.

I know some people who have used metal cleaners on the glass. It's not a good idea though because if it gets on the paint it might cause damage. I would personally try to buff it out with some glass polish. Even regular polish would work.

Any type of harsh chemicals could even cause the glass to have some swirls and scratches.

Between a window cleaner and a claybar you should be able to get just about anything off your glass...add more elbow grease!

Sometimes a vinegar wash will remove the water stains.

Thanks for all the advice. These are definitely the spots from delivery. I keep the car in the shade when I wash it so these aren't new spots. I did forget about vinegar, I'll have to give that a try. I'm just not big on the idea of a polish because if it's not done perfectly it'll distort the view.

I'll try to take some pics..

The paint's received a full detail and correction. It's perfectly fine.

zaino glass polish... just can't go wrong with anything they make.

Griot's Garage sells 2 types of glass polish and people have had great results with them.

http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Grio.../11074?$thumb$
And if you order by today and use code EMZBBB you will get a 15% discount. (I have no affiliation with Griot's by the way.)

Try toothpaste and elbow greese. Worth a shot.

I agree with was385 Zaino Z-12. Been using Zaino since 2001 and their stuff is awesome. I use the glass polish on shower glass and it cuts right through.

Any update on this?

If CLR didnt work then the glass must be etched. That would be caused by acid exposure or sanding action to the glass.

Did ypu use CLR concentrate or just the mild bathroom cleaner? If your answer is the latter, perhaps you need to try the strong stuff.

Or maybe you have bad glass from the factory.

Have you tried to scrape it off with a razor blade?

Razor is one of the best ways. You can also try "0000"-weight steel wool, it's fine enough it will not do damage to the glass.

Silly question, are you sure they are on the OUTSIDE of the glass? Maybe just give the inside a good clean and coat in RAINEX anti-fog (or equivalent)?

Bon-Ami Original. It just works.

http://www.bonami.com/index.php/prod...wder_cleanser/

@Draco-REX
Were you able to remove the hard water spots? I have the EXACT same problem. Mine came this way pre-delivery or from the dealer. I've always used ONR (2 bucket method) inside my garage. There is no way I put those there.

I've tried vinegar, but that didn't work. I tried a claybar and ONR, but that didn't work. I'm going to pick up some Bon Ami, in hopes that'll help.

Just curious if you ever got it resolved. It's very faint and noticeable at night only, but very very annoying.

Thanks!

Might try clay bar

Thanks rssv. I actually tried a claybar, but that didn't help. I have several suggestions, which I plan on trying this week. I'll report back with my findings. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

:thanks:

Have you tried Dimondite?

http://www.autogeek.net/diglbu.html?...FQ_znAodKGcA6A

It worked well for my Mustang when I had it.

I'm curious, do you have a pic of what it looks like?

I had bad water spots on my Chevy truck and tried a number of things. Soaking a towel in 50-50 water and vinegar and let it soak for about 15 minutes-got some of it off. Tried Bon Ami which is a non abrasive cleaner-got some of it off.
Tried some steel wool-got some of it off. Sometimes just have to try a number of different techniques.

Carpro ceriglass can be found at Carpro-us.com. Best thing you'll find for getting water spots off glass. Can be used by hand or machine.

Thanks - I'll give this a try if my other products don't work!

X2

I'll see if I can get a picture of it. It's tough, because it has to be dark out...but the lighting has to be perfect. The spots are definitely there, and all my passengers seem to notice it as well.

I use rainx i spray it, wipe it down/ then wipe excess with a chamois

That was the first thing I tried, since I had it lying around. These are very hard water spots, etched into the glass. It's going to take something much more harsh and a lot of elbow grease.

My car was left at the dealership for weeks at a time. I have a strong suspicion that hard water was left on my car for the entire two weeks it sat. They also created major swirl marks, which had to be corrected by my detailer.

I feel like taking it back to the dealer and letting them deal with it, but I don't trust them.

Cerium oxide is the only way to polish glass. Doesn't sound like you need to be that aggressive. Always go least aggressive first.

VInegar
Glas science glass scrub
CG water spot remover
Try these first then move on to more aggresive solutions.

Greg Nichols has a great article on water spot removal. http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...al-techniques/

water spots should come off with vinegar, if they don't its likely water etch.

Start with the least agressive first:
soap/water
Vinegar
Splash V or Chemcial guys water spot remover
A mild compound like D300 or M105 work, but leave oily residue that needs to be cleaned
Steel wool 0000 grit
Smash the glass and replace it ;)

Cheers,
GREG

https://www.3dproducts.com/Eraser-Wa...16-Oz-Gel.html

This worked well for me.

Thank you all for the great info. I let a 50/50 water/vinegar solution sit for 5-10mins on my windshield, and scrubbed with a microfiber towel. The spots still remained. I'm pretty sure it's etched in. I'll work my way from the least aggressive products first.

Just out of curiosity, how long would it take for hard water to etch into my windshield? I'm just trying to figure out how or when it got like this. My car spent over a month at the dealership. I've had it back for the past 2 months, but it's ALWAYS garaged. I do the 2 bucket method wash with ONR and always dry my windows after the wash. I'm 100% sure I didn't do it. Is this something I can take back to the dealer, or will they blow me off? I'm somewhat afraid of them touching my car now though.

Just wanted to provide an update. I was finally able to remove the hard water spots. Glass cleaner did nothing, vinegar and hard scrubbing did nothing. I then tried some Bon Ami...and had success!

I created a paste with water and Bon Ami, put some on 0000 steel wool, and scrubbed hard. It created a wet, cloudy layer on my windshield. Once the Bon Ami dried, I used another clean piece of steel wool to remove the chalky remnants it left behind. I then used glass cleaner to shine my windshield.

I'm happy to say that I no longer have these annoying spots! Thank you all for your suggestions and help.

wow you guys are nuts-o, the professional detailers i know and work with use black and white newspaper and a foam glass cleaner.

Trust me, try it. Works better than ANY chemical alone. Leaves the window spotless.

I used to be a detailer and newspaper is the only thing I use when cleaning glass!

Tried it - it didn't work. There was no way I was getting off these spots with newspaper and glass cleaner. My spots were etched in, and required a lot more than this. Bon Ami and 0000 steel wool was the only thing that worked for me.

So, call us "nuts-o"...but newspaper wasn't up to the challenge here.

I had the same problem with my FR-S when I took delivery. Regular cleaners didn't seem to touch it. However, over a relatively short time (perhaps a month) of just regular washing the residue was gone. It might not look it but each time you wash/clean the windshield a little more of it disappears.

Bon-Ami has been recommended for glass cleaning by most of the major US manufacturers since the 1950s, even called out in many old owner's manuals. Used it on my glass back in the 60s before anyone even heard of clay or any of the other 'modern' products available today. Newspaper is an old trick as well and works great for everyday cleaning. Sometimes the 'old ways' work the best.

Glad you got the spots out!! :thumbup: