We've got REALLY hard water here, and ended up with water spots on my wife's Acura MDX. I don't have a problem with them on my Z, but here car is so much bigger that the water dries before you can get to it.

So we ended up with water spots. I know how to get rid of them, but how can we prevent them from occuring in the first place? Is there anything we can add to the wash water that will prevent it?

Thanks in advance...

 

Put a water softener in. It's just a big tank that you fill with blocks of salt. That may help you. Dunno... *shrugs*

 

I use a Mr. Clean Auto Dry wash, but just for the final rinse. The water is run through a filter that is supposed to remove minerals....

It's been working wonders for me.

 

The water won't dry on the surface if the surface is cool, meaning don't wash when the sun is high in the sky, wash either in the shade or early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The way my house is made (if faces West), if I wash after 4 or 5 pm on the back side where my garages are, I am in total shade of the house and I never have water dry byitself before I can get it dried off. Also, take the nozzle off the hose and let a steady stream of water sheet most of the droplets of water off the car, do this from top to bottom and down the sides, this will remove 90% of the standing water drops....

 

Yah, if u wash and dry enough, itll come off. that happened to me one time too, it took a longer time to get off the headlight lenses.

 

get one of those craftsman 16 gallon wet/dry vac with blower. it helps if you want to dry your SUV. that's what i use to dry our Titan.. It really helps especially if you can't reach the roof of the truck with towel.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...t=Tank%20Style

 

I have real hard water too. I "prevent" them with a couple of tricks.

First, when rinsing your cars, use the "sheeting" trick. Remove the nozzle and starting from the top run the water onto a flat section to totally cover it then quicking move it off to another lower section. The sheet of water should run off leaving just a few small spots.

Second, quickly blot and smaller spots left behind. Use a waffle-weave microfiber towel as they absorb a lot and are gentle on the finish.

Finally, use a leaf blower or compressed air to blow water from areas that it tends to get trapped in. Around door jams, behind the gas filler door, in cracks and crevices between panels, behind emblems, etc. That prevents water from dripping out later and leaving water spots on the surfaces.

 

Water spots consist of the minerals in the water that remain after evaporation. The best way to remove them, and trust me I have used this method on my Z and my wifeÃÔ black Land Rover, is to get a spray bottle and fill it with distilled water. I have access to a lab and have use a very small amount of formic acid (approx 1 tsp/16 oz bottle). This is a very small organic acid which is mild and won't hurt the surface. You could also use some distilled vinegar which is acetic acid (very similar to formic). Just spray the affected area and wipe dry with a microfiber towel. The spots will magically disappear. This method won't hurt the existing Zaino or Blackfire coating. This is a life saver for black cars.

Cheers

 

Why don't you just re-wet the areas that have dried by the time you get them? Then dab it dry....just dab dab daaaab it dry.

 

Hello TNSEWALKIN .... I'm not the author of the following article ... but perhaps you (and forum members) may find it useful.

Author: David Bynon

WATER SPOTS
The same water we use to bathe our cars can also damage our cars' paint. The spots and damage are caused by the minerals in the water. When water evaporates off of your car's paint, it leaves behind the trace elements it contains. Calcium and metals are the most damaging elements found in your tap water, whereas rainwater may contain damaging acids from air pollutants.
If the spots are allowed to dry and bake on, they will attach to and harden on your paint. When this happens, you need to use a mild acid to get them loose. Believe it or not, the best acid is also the least expensive and most available: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar.

Expert car detailers have known this secret for years. If you take your car to a pro, they will tell you about the "magic acid bath" and charge you $60 or more for the pleasure of smelling like a pickle. Save the $60, put on some gloves, and get to it.

To give your car the magic acid bath, first wash your car with your normal car shampoo, rinse, then use the distilled vinegar. Just wipe it on with a sponge, and rub it in. Do one section at a time, let it sit 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse. When you're done, wash the car again with shampoo and rinse. By the way, vinegar will remove your wax. So, be prepared to re-wax your car after the vinegar treatment.

 

David Bynon is the man behind Autopia, the ultimate car detailing website (http://autopia.org). If you're not a member, join it. You can download a free E-book of his detailing guide, including the section quoted above by Jazz Z1. Autopia is where the pros go to teach and learn about car care and detailing.

Some other good sites related to car care are:
http://www.bettercarcare.com/
http://www.premiumautocare.com/
http://www.properautocare.com/ <<<< Sign up for their Newsletter !!!!