So today, I went out to take a look at my car and noticed that the hood had a ton of water spots. It looked liked someone literally dumped a cup of acid on my hood. They were white roundish spots.

Anyhow, I tried using a 50:50 of water and alcohol and a bit of elbow grease.. no dice

So then I took it to my local pay and spray and it helped a bit, but now I still have the outlines of the spots on the car if you check it out in the sunlight. (even after finishing it up with AquaWax). Even if I rub the hell out of them with a MF, they won't come out. Will a PC combined with Optimum Compound take them right out? I'm getting kind of worried.

 

Try clay first. If that doesn't work, do the PC thing. Or, heck, do both and prep her for fall!

 

[QUOTE=stogie1020]Try clay first. If that doesn't work, do the PC thing. Or, heck, do both and prep her for fall! X10

 

I have the same issue... anyone know how to take care of this? also- what is a PC combined w Optimum Compound?? thanks

 

Depending on length of exposure to hard water, even tap water, which will determine depth of work required. If its an occasional sprinkler mishap on the well maintained family ride while dining out one night, and you notice it the next day, chances are all that is needed is a spritz with a quality detail spray or waterless wash and microfiber, and your good to go.
If its something thats exposed to the elements on a regular basis, on a surface thats only maintained maybe twice a year, I suggest a small investement of equipment, starting with a UDM or PC. Heck, I recommend one of those machines just for proper upkeep. Proper upkeep is more then just a slap of wax twice a year. Ya spend 10's of thousands on a new/used car, its always perplexing why some wont spend a couple hundred on car care products to keep it looking like you spent 10's of thousands on it!

 

Ugg I hate you guys. You guys can't just let me be lazy eh?

Looks like I'll prep her for the fall. I'll report back on what happened to the spots when I put the work in (1 week?? -- 4 months?? )

Thanks

 

The clay is REALLY easy, just don't drop it.

 

Just like soap. BEWARE.

 

Apparently Lusid has been a guest of the state?

 

You may want to read this......

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news dude, but your spots are not going away unless you wet sand the paint, or clear coat. If you've got NBP....with clear coat....chances are you will need to sand the clear coat down almost to the color coat, then have it re-coated.

I've been down this route before. To make a long story short, a few years ago, my pristine NPB TLS was in my garage...covered, and with several coats of wax on the paint. BTW..it doens't matter if it's wax or Zaino. I had to move the car outside for some kitchen remodeling....it was July.....the car was spotless....and a quick rain shower came around....the water made really pretty beads on the paint....then the sun quickly dried the water beats. I dind't notice it for a few days, just thought the spots were water spots dried on the paint, but then I tried to wash them off.....NO WAY.....they were etched into the paint. I got a Jewelers Loupe...looked at the spots.....they looked like craters in the moon. THe paint was ruined.....all surfaces the took the rain drops. THe sides were OK....it was just the roof, trunk and hood. The dealer said they would wet sand the paint..but I refused. I was so bummed out....I ended up selling the car. don't worry...if you sell it.....just make sure it's slightly dirty and nobody will notice the spots...most people think it's just water stains and they'll wash off or wax off....NOT. Sorry for the bad news.

 

JetJock, sound like you may have had a "worst case" scenario.

Many here have successfully rid themselves of water spots, and even ones that etched the CC, through proper claying, polishing and if needed, re-polishing.

As always, do the least aggressive thing first, then work your way up. I think selling the car is probably the MOST aggressive thing you could do, short of using a match!

Also, I for one, will never let a car dealership tell me how to care for the exterior of my car. I have seen what the dealership washes do to innocent paint.

YMMV.

 

Yes that is kind of extreme.......

 

I tried everything....clay was a joke on these spots. My detail guy tried every trick in his book, nothing worked. Now, there were only two people who really noticed the spots, myself, and my detail guy. Anyone else would never see the spots unless I pointed them out first. Yes...selling the car was extreme.....but it only had 4600 miles and I wanted another color....this was my 3rd black car....and I was worn out keeping it clean. When the 3rd Gen TL came out....I fell in love with the interior and exterior styling so it was time to dump the car while it was still low mileage. I sold it in a week...no problem. A two year old TLS with 4600 miles is pretty rare around here. My '04 TL only has 12,000...and so far no spots with Anthracite...although it's never outside in the rain.