Not sure if this should be posted someplace else, if so, I apologize in advance.

My issue is water spots. I have been using the Mr. Clean Car Wash System in conjunction with the Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash and Wax Conditioner. For waxing, I have been using the Meguiars Gold Class Clear Coat Liquid Wax. Between wax, I use the Meguiars Quik Detailer.

I was waxing the car once a month until about 3 months ago, when it started getting difficult to get the wax off. The stuff would leave smear marks all over the finish and I would have to buff the crap out of it to get the shine up.

So, I have not waxed the car for 3 month, but I have been washing it weekly and use the Quik Detailer. This last week, shortly after washing, it rained while I was at work, leaving water spots all over the car.

My problem is, I can't get the damn water spots out now. I have tried the wax and the Quik Detailer, but nothing gets them out. Someone suggested I try the Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay kit and if that does not work, Meguiars ScratchX. After using one (or both), finish the car with Meguiars NXT Liquid Wax. I checked these products out and I am concerned about using anything with cutters or abrasives.

Anyone got any suggestions? Anyone used any of these products, or can suggest some other products. I have used Meguiars for years (on my cars and boats) and have always been happy. But now I wonder of there might be something better.

Oh, one more thing, is anybody else having a hell of a time getting the damn water off the car? I use a towel and all it does is smear the water around. I finally resorted to an electric leaf blower which helps some. But if anyone knows a towel product that works well, please let me know. I am tired of blowing my fishing rod building supplies all over the garage.

Thanks in advance.

 

Take the car to be professionally detailed.

AFTER THAT...

NEver use that piece of crap Mr Clean junk again... it strips wax and finish.

switch to Zymol or Zaino (depending on budget) for wax
lose the quick detailer UNLESS your clay barring your car

and for SOAP... use WESTLEYS or ANYTHING from Griots garage.

This was summertime with 10,000 miles on the car

 

I have used all the product you mentioned except for the Mr. Clean wash system. If you have trouble removing wax due to smearing make sure the car and cloth are both dry. If you soak up water from around the headlights, or another creavace then it will be very difficult to remove the wax.

As far as water spots are concerned if you cannot remove them it maybe because they have a protective layer of wax over them. You could try the ScratchX and clay, they won't harm your finish. You could try washing the area with a mild dish cleaner/water solution to remove built up wax.

I Use the NTX generation wax and it is by far the easist wax to apply and remove, although not the longest lasting. Good luck.

 

i dont think that the clay will solve the problem. i notice that i have a few water spots and they clay hasnt fixed it. proably needs to be done with a professional buffer or if u wanna try yourself and get a porter cable they are really good.

as far as the wax smearing...could be your not letting it dry long enough or try changing towels more frequently. hopefully your using a MF towel or equivilent.

For drying try the California Blade. Its a rubber squeegee sold at most auto store and even Target or wal mart. The Absorber also works well when drying. Also to cut drying time down take the nozzle off the hose and turn the water on and position the hose along the car so the water just sheets off dont stick your thumb in hole or anything just let the water sheet off. this technique works real well espcially if you have a good coat of wax on there already. And then use the absorber or a MF towel to get the rest up.

 

Wow, now thats shiney Mike. Both in the visual sense and the "Firefly" sense.

There are more than a few detailers around my area, so finding a good detailer should be easy.

The products you mentioned, Zymol or Zaino, can those be purchased on line, or would I look to purchases those from the detailer? I am assuming these are not the type of products Pep Boys or Kragen Carries.

Do any of these products need to be used with a professional buffer? I have one, but the last time I used it was on my VW and I needed a new paint job when I was finished.

Thank for the all your suggestions everyone.

 

for the water spots just re wash the car with good car washing over and over again and again . you should put a picture to determine how conditions are . i use mcquires gold cash shampoo too , work a little section by section so like get only part wash it scrub like u never done it b4 then rinse and dry take this process for each part again and again . you let the wax dried on you thats why you got smears put pictures thats the best bet .... and good luck

 

Find a car-wash that uses de-ionized water, that will resolve the water spot issue.

 

how often should you wax? ive heard so many different answers, a shop told me to wax 1-2 times a year max. another said that i should wax every 2 months. what do you guys say? also i have a cf hood, should i wax that more often than the car or not?

 

Hi, I was reading the "detailing" section at 8thcivic.com and THATS WHAT I LEARNED:

1- WASH
2- CLAY
3- PAINT CLEANER
4- POLISH
5- WAX


http://www.autopia.org is an EXCELLENT forum about detailing

Just to give you a heads up, be careful with your towels and pads!
u'll be amazed with the results..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hellzcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The products you mentioned, Zymol or Zaino, can those be purchased on line, or would I look to purchases those from the detailer? I am assuming these are not the type of products Pep Boys or Kragen Carries.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Zymol you can get at pepboys or R&S, Zaino is a bit harder to get.

check out

http://www.griotsgarage.com

Best site &gt;&gt;..EVER for cleaning supplies... tell ur family thats what you want for Xmas

I never use a buffer....I hand wax

 

Clay bar, clay bar, clay bar.

I only read the first post, but you can get bomb results with a basic car wash, clay bar, and wax. People thought I repainted my 93 red hatch with this combo, and we all know how much old red honda paint blows.

Mother's clay bar FTW

 

I have the mr clean auto dry thing too, the only real good feature to it is the filitered water for rinsing.... the soap sucks regardless... Put some of the GOOD soap in it, if it messes it up... so what, its a $20 spray nozzle.

 

twice a year:
wash the car with mild dishwasher solution,MF towel
real good rinsing
Claybar
ScratchX
Nxt gen meguiars
twice a month:
wash with rainX shampoo
dry

ive done it for about 5 years and the paint on my cars its shiny and smooth

the scratchX by hand might not help with the spots, but u can use a low rpm buffer (or an orbital one) like 1500-2000 rpm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonssonar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Find a car-wash that uses de-ionized water, that will resolve the water spot issue.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The water spots are from the rain, not a car wash. Washing the car with de-ionized water does not remove the spots, I tried that already.

 

rain doesnt give spots no clorine lol its water spots dump that s$% of mr clean its useles pos get a reg hose your mit and a good shampoo for car but like i said put some pictures , in the end i think you just let the wax dried

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gus738 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">rain doesnt give spots no clorine lol its water spots dump that s$% of mr clean its useles pos get a reg hose your mit and a good shampoo for car but like i said put some pictures , in the end i think you just let the wax dried</TD></TR></TABLE>

Uhh ya rain can leave water spots...depending on where you live the and the pollution in the air, it can be a mild acid rain. Which would definately leave water spots

 

forget all the expensive waxes and cleaners. when you finish washing the car with normal car cleaner just dry the entire car with microfiber towels. thats all you need to do.