Are you wondering what to do as water spots on the car won’t come off? If affirmative, you are at the right place. Water spots are one of the most common issues every car owner faces. For some, it might be nothing, while some have a tough time getting rid of them.
However, removing water spots from your vehicle is not a complicated task. So, do not worry too much about it. With precise knowledge and tips, you can wash away those stubborn water spots in no time.
Today, we have compiled all the crucial details related to water spots. We will discuss various reasons for water spots occurrence, ways to remove them & some preventive measures too. So, get ready to learn and bring back the old charismatic shine of your car.
Different Types Of Water Spots
When it comes to water spots, many car owners do not pay much attention to them as long as they can get rid of them effortlessly. So, it is understandable if you do not know that even water spots have different types.
Water spots are of different types, and this affects their cleaning methods. You can encounter any kind on any portion of your car. Do not be in a delusion that water spots can not harm your metallic automobile. Different types of water spots on car paint can cause different types of damage.
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Thus, the best way to tackle them will be to learn about them. Here are the common types of water sports you will encounter scattered on the exterior of your car:
1. Hard Water Spots
One of the most common types of water spots that one can find on an automobile is hard water spots.
These spots occur when the dried water on your vehicle’s surface contains minerals or dirt. It is a common occurrence if you live in a place where water has a high mineral content.
You must get this off your car immediately as delay will turn it into a chalky residue that is hard to remove.
2. Mineral Spots
If we are talking about severe, mineral spots are the ones. They occur due to acid rain, which is high in sulfuric & nitric acid levels.
These are the worst kind of spots because the acidic presence in the water can bond with your car paint & lead to corrosion.
In some cases, the scars & water spots on the car after washing are visible, making your paint look stained & dull.
3. Etching
Water resting on your car’s exterior under any circumstances can be damage-causing. If you live in a hot area, the hot environment can bake those resting water drops on your car, which is hard to remove & can cause permanent damage.
Thus, if your car is suffering from etching, you should take professional help as you can scrape the paint or worse while doing the task of removal.
6 Best Tips To Remove Those Stubborn Water Spots From Your Car’s Surface
Having water spots on your car is a normal occurrence. However, you should be careful. In the long run, water spots can damage your ride more than your anticipation.
So, whenever you see water spots on your car, get rid of them as soon as possible. Sometimes the cleaning can be easy, and sometimes it can be tough.
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To help you with perfect cleaning that ensures a clean surface with no window for any damage; we bring you our top six cleaning tips. Cleaning water spots is trickier than it seems. In such scenarios, you need smart work more than hard work.
Check out our tested remedies that can help you get rid of those stains with the least effort.
1. Wash Away
If the water spots on your car have not completely baked into the paint or the marks left are not too aggressive, then you can remove them by simply washing them away.
You can either do it yourself or take your car to an auto cleaning shop. In addition, you can opt for a waterless wash or quick detailer & see if it is effective.
2. Buff With A Chamois
There are chances of easy removal of water spots from your car’s surface. If the watermarks are fresh, you can buff them away using a microfiber towel or chamois.
This method is safe for your car. However, we recommend a small area test to see if this method will work. This way, you will save time & energy.
3. Use Vinegar
If you are looking for a home remedy, this vinegar tip is for you. Use the mixture of water and vinegar to clean off those water spots in no time.
Vinegar contains natural acetic acid, which works wonders in dissolving calcium carbonate & other minerals. While this is a perfect remedy, it might not be well suited for tough spots.
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4. Go With Clay Bar
Using a clay bar is another handy remedy on which you can rely to eliminate water spots that have not been etched onto the paint.
It can easily remove embedded particles from hard water. If used correctly, it can remove the spots without leaving any traces on your paint job.
5. Use A Polish
If you are unable to remove the water stains from your car even after washing, claying & buffing; it means the water contaminations have etched into your clear coat & require to be polished out.
Car surface polishes are mild abrasives that help remove a very thin layer from the surface of your vehicle’s clear coat.
In addition, this tip is handy to get rid of those unwanted swirls & scratches. For better application & better results, we recommend you go for a dual-action polisher.
A dual-action polisher is a handy tool that will take good care of your ride. The only way you can cause any damage with it will be due to your negligence.
6. Opt For Rubbing Compound
A rubbing compound is simply a coarser grit polish. Like polish, it will wear away a thin layer of your clear coat, but more aggressively.
There are many water spot removers available in the market. They are the best to get rid of mineral deposits & water deposits without causing any damage to the surface. The presence of absorbents, solvents, conditioners, & buffers makes them the best choice.
However, the commercial spot removers are ideal for glossy car surfaces rather than matte ones. Check out the Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover, which is highly effective & affordable.
What Are The Reasons For Permanent Water Spots On Cars?
Even after taking good care of their rides, many car owners wonder how they end up with ruined car paint.
Well, the answer is those water droplets on your exterior that you either ignored or were too lazy to clear. Water spots are one of the most common culprits for a ruined car paint job. They can cause severe damage due to the presence of minerals & other contamination.
After the evaporation of water, the minerals & other contaminations remain on the car’s surface. Depending on the level of the minerals & other contaminations, the effect can be significant or negligible.
To make it more understandable, here we have the four most prominent reasons for those water spots on your automobile.
A. Hard Water
The hard water contains a high density of various minerals. So, when hard water dries on the surface, the minerals stay on the surface.
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The minerals react with your car paint in no time and leave behind unappealing and tough-to-remove spots.
B. Bird Droppings Or Tree Sap
It is common to find tree sap or bird droppings on your car’s surface. However, if you let them dry, then the acidic nature of these things can etch into your paint & damage it.
C. Acid Rain
The water spot occurrence due to acid is another permanent occurrence you surely want to avoid.
The high acidity level can corrode your vehicle’s exterior and leave behind permanent damage.
D. Rich Mineral Content
Another reason you might end up with water spots on your car paint is the high mineral content in the water.
This can happen even when you are washing your car. If the water contains a high amount of dissolved solids, there will be water spots on your ride. It is generally the occurrence of hard water. However, your household water can also contain mineral levels that can be threatening.
Thus, it is better to wipe off your car’s surface before air dries it to avoid any chances of spot formation.
E. Improper Washing Techniques
If you do not follow proper car washing methods, the occurrence of water spots is possible. Never wash your car in direct sunlight, as it will cause fast evaporation before you can wipe it off.
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Also, never air-dry your car. Always clean it yourself. Use a microfiber towel for the best results. Lastly, ensure the entire surface is free of water, even the cracks & crevices. If you brush it off now, it will become too severe to take any preventive method.
F. Sprinklers
Another reason there will be water spots on your car is garden sprinklers.
Whether it is yours or your neighbors, the water splashing from the sprinklers can end up on your ride and leave behind mineral deposits & stains.
Mostly, the water used for watering plants & grass is hard water. The situation gets worse as you are unaware of this occurrence, and those tiny water droplets are almost invisible to the eyes.
Thus, ensure to park your ride in the garage or away from a yard or garden.
5 Easy Ways To Prevent Hard Water Spots On The Surface Of Your Automobile
There are times when you will not be able to get rid of the stubborn water spots on your car. It is when you require professional assistance, which can cost you a lot.
The level of dried water spots is different, and their severity decides the remedy. However, the best way will be to ensure you do not have them on your car in the first place.
Although it might seem unreal, there are a few ways you can opt to keep those water spots from damaging your costly car finish.
Explore each of them to find the one that works better for you.
1. Thorough Drying
The first preventive method is thorough drying. Whenever you get your car wet, you risk the water evaporating & leaving behind spots.
But if you practice thorough drying every time your car gets wet, you will reduce the risk of water spots to a significant level.
Also, using a microfiber towel to dry is a better choice than air drying as it decreases the chances of swirls & scratches.
2. Use Car Wax
When it comes to protecting your car paint job from various contaminations, car wax is the best.
If you have a healthy coating of carnauba wax on the exterior of your car, the mineral & other contaminations will not be able to bond with your paintwork.
This will make it easy for you to remove them as these contaminations can not bond with wax. However, remember to benefit from this safety shield; you will require frequent application.
3. Use Water Softener
Hard water is the main reason behind the water spots as it contains various minerals that can react with your car paint.
To reduce its effect, you can use a water softener. It will remove the minerals & other contaminants from the water you use to clean your car.
A good quality water softener will lower the TDS and prevent water marks formation even if you do not dry your vehicle adequately.
4. Paint Sealant
If it comes to protecting car paint, paint sealants are the real deal. Paint sealants are like carnauba wax but with longer life. Their one application can last for months.
The paint sealants work efficiently to prevent water spots and require no frequent application.
5. Ceramic Coating
The ceramic coatings are the advanced level paint sealant. They make a hard shell coating over the clear coat of your paintwork.
The best thing about ceramic coatings is their longevity. In addition, they are highly hydrophobic and will not let water, dirt & contaminations stick to the surface.
Top FAQs About How to Prevent Sprinkler Water Spots on Car
Do water spots damage car paint?
YES. Water spots are the residue of dried water droplets that contain a good amount of minerals and other contaminants. If these contaminations can physically bond with your car paint, it can lead to permanent markings and even corrosion.
How do prevent sprinkler water spots on the car?
If you want to prevent water spots from sprinkler water, avoid parking your car near or around a garden or park. Also, every time you get home, take a good look at your exterior & clean it if you spot any water droplets.
Can I remove water spots using vinegar?
YES. If you want to try an effective yet cheap remedy to get rid of the water marks on your car’s surface, then vinegar is a good option.
Vinegar is a natural solution and costs no extra penny as you find it lying in your kitchen. However, it is not strong enough to remove tough spots. Also, there are chances it might ruin your paint if not used properly.
Can water spots damage car paint?
If you let water rest on your car for a period in which it gets evaporated, its contaminations can damage your car paint. To avoid this, keep your car clean, and protect it with a coating of wax, polish, or a paint sealant.
How can I remove water marks from my car?
To remove watermarks from your car, use a microfiber towel for thorough drying. If the marks are still there, use a clay bar, vinegar, polish, or a rubbing compound. One of these options will surely solve your problem.
However, if you still do not get any results, you need to pay a visit to an auto repair shop.
What will happen if I leave water spots on my car paint for too long?
If you ignore the watermarks on your car paint for too long, their contamination will bond to your car surface & corrode the clear coat in no time.
Some watermarks leave stains ruining the look of your car even after the removal.
Some water spots get baked into your car when you leave it in the sun. They can cause permanent damage, which will cost you to fix.
Conclusion
Although water may seem harmless, it can still hurt your car. So, ensure no water droplets are sticking on your ride.
We hope our list of remedies & preventive measures will help you whenever the water spots on your car won’t come off for you.
