How do I get water spots off my (black) car.?

Question

I'm using car wash soap + wax & using a chamois to dry ... But still getting water spots. any suggestions?

It's the dry water marks left from previous build up of rain, sprinklers, etc.

Reply to john m: Actually it gets expensive after a few time - when i take it to a pro. because I like to have the a clean spot free shine car and it used to cost me about $100/mo (for 3 top washes) & i like to clean it myself.

Answer 1

Ditch the shamies, go out and buy a pack of cotton towels. Use these to dry and detail the car. You may also want to look at finding a water softener for your out side hose they have them at most auto parts stores. It is an attachment you can add when you go to rinse off the car to keep the hard water spots from forming. The other thing is NEVER wash your car in direct sunlight. The sun will heat up the car where the water dries to quickly to dry off properly. But the shamies are no good get rid of them. When you wash the towels put them in there own wash with a fabric softener and store them in they own drawer or space. Use them only for drying and detailing the car. Replace them about every 3 or 4 months depending on how often you wash the car.

Answer 2

You are using a soap that has wax in it aren't you?

"using a chamois to dry"
You are not done until the car is DRY! Bone dry! Wipe, wring it out, repeat! You can subsitute a 100% cotton polishing towel, I think it is better. I like the polishing dypers at walmart. Cheap absorbs a lof of water, and 100% cotton. Microfiber towles scratch, I tested it! Don't buy them. When a chamois is nearly dry, it is hard to use.

There are "spot-free" rinses on the market, and you could use a gallon of purified water from the grocery store, for the final rinse too, FYI

You can polish or wax your car immediatly afterwards and that would take car of the spotting, but that may be more work than you intend. Also it would be redundant, since you used the soap/wax already...

EDIT: if you are having problems with old waterspots, wash it more, until they are gone. In extreem cases, you may need a polishing compound, but I seriously doubt it! Also detail enthusiasts don't let anything touch their cars but 100% cotton. That means no sponges.

Answer 3

Hard water spots?
Umm........If you waxed the car BEFORE removing the old water spots, you may have sealed them in.

I don't realy have a good answer for you.
I've heard you can use a mild solution of vinegar and water on windows to remove calcium deposits, but I'm not sure about painted surfaces.

I wish you the best of luck. Maybe someone else has just the right answer, and you can give them 10 points.

Answer 4

The best way to solve this without special tools is to thouroghly wash and dry the car, then apply a carnuba based "cleaner" wax to the finish, then polish it out with a soft cloth, and some elbow grease. (paste wax in a can, like your grandpa used)

Answer 5

The most likely reason you are getting water spots is because you are not througholy drying your car, OR because it is caused by oxidation. Bring it to the professional car detailer every once in a while to ensure that the water spots are taken care of nicely.

Answer 6

try using a car buffer with either "rain dance" or "turtle wax". If that doesn't work then you will need this stuff called "compound" it will bring the shine back into the paint as well. Good Luck!

Answer 7

take it to a professional detailer,is not that expensive.

Answer 8

only way to get rid of hard water spots is to have it wet sanded out

Answer 9

you are not getting it COMPLETELY dry