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Old 02-13-2003, 08:24 AM
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vova151
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Default Hard water spots

Does anyone else wash there cars with hard water? I'm having a heck of time with hard water spots appearing on the car and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on preventing these spots or taking care of them after you are done washing.
Old 02-13-2003, 08:27 AM
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ares
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if its really a problem consider getting a water softener for you home. itll help with washing your hair too.

hard water can also lead to swirl marks, drying it can avoid the water marks, but it also just rubs all the minerals into your paint.
Old 02-13-2003, 08:43 AM
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vova151
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I think a water softener is an obvious solution but it really hasn't been that big of a issue for me so it wouldn't make sense to add it just for the car. As for drying, that's the problem. I have one of those silicon water removers for knocking the water off and as soon as I run it across I see can see the water stains.
Old 02-13-2003, 10:45 AM
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ira
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If they are appearing when you wash the car you need to not let the water sit so long on the car. Are they coming from the rinse water or the wash water? Do you wash the wheels first? If you just carefully rinse, wash, rinse and then dry only the hood do they still appear? Is it possible they were there before you washed the car but you didn't see them.

If all else fails, a 2 or 3 gallon pump garden sprayer filled up with distilled water at the grocery store and used for rinsing might help.

Ira
Old 02-13-2003, 11:32 AM
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vova151
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I wash the car starting at the top finishing at bottom. I constantly keep the car wet at all times. If I wash one part I rinse that area and then the whole car. When I rub the slilicon blade across the car the spots appear white. VERY UGLY. The only way I can seem to get around them is wiping the car down with a damp towel. I have a britta water filer for my drinking water. I wanted to stay away from using that for washing.

Last edited by vova151; 02-13-2003 at 11:36 AM.
Old 02-13-2003, 12:44 PM
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ares
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haha britta would be tough.

you should consider the water softener, it will help with lots of stuff, no spots on dishes, showering, washing the car, ect. those spots are not the biggest problems, its like having a little grit in your water as your scrubbing it.
Old 02-13-2003, 12:58 PM
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vova151
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Ares,
Any idea what I would be looking at for total cost having one of those softners installed? Also would you or anyone know of good brand? I understand that there are many benifits in having one.
Old 02-13-2003, 02:07 PM
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Im not sure actually, luckily I dont have hard water, I only know of them in association with my hobby of tropical fish. dont have one myself.

Id say try home depot or even better, lowes for some help.
Old 02-13-2003, 03:37 PM
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Zriffic
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Water spots can be removed with a 10-20% mixture of vinegar. After that you need to wash the car again with a mild car wash soap. The key is to dry the car immediately. I use a california water blade. I have hear of people using a high velocity lawn blower that they swear by.
Old 02-14-2003, 06:54 AM
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Nordy 1
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Unhappy California water blade

I bought one and it left mark on the car that I can't seem to get rid of. Any idea's of why and how to fix the marks ?
Old 02-14-2003, 08:44 AM
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if the cars not totally clean you "could" drag a peice of dirt across it. of course I hear theres a lip, ect to keep that from happening, but it seems it happened to you. you could try wax, or swirl polish, but most likely its there to stay if its deep at all.

gotta be careful with them, wipe the blade after every swipe in a towel to make sure no dirt stays on it.
Old 02-15-2003, 06:46 AM
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Zriffic
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Default Re: California water blade

Originally posted by Nordy 1
I bought one and it left mark on the car that I can't seem to get rid of. Any idea's of why and how to fix the marks ?
I used it for a year on my black S 2000 and never had any problem. You have to make sure the blade is clean and only the blade touches the car and not the handle. The scuff should come right off with a mild car polish or cleaner.
Old 02-18-2003, 12:27 PM
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vova151
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Vin,
Now I was born and raised in Northwest Houston and we never had hard water so unless you live in the part of Houston that got all of it I don't know how you can beat where I live. I have a limestone quarry a quarter mile from my house, my street name is limestone. The only thing that we have more of than minerals in the ground is Cedar of which I'm allergic to......should have pondered that before moving to a town called Cedar Park. I'm really leaning towards the Zaino I hope it can kill two birds. I hope it can rid me of my swirl and water marks. Zaino man seems to be hard to contact though.
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