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Old 04-07-2014, 08:31 AM   #1
AmericanMuscleCars
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How to clean water spots in engine bay?

Hey guys I was at a car show and I had my engine bay open looking under the hood, everything else was fine except for the little crease by the quarter panels when the hood is open, it has these hard water spots that are probably baked on because of the heat from the engine. Will scratch X or a rubbing compound take it out? Thanks, its something different that doesn't really come up here so yeah, any help would be appreciated.
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Old 04-07-2014, 09:04 AM   #2
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Don't use any kind of polish in the engine bay. The clearcoat is sprayed on much thinner, if at all and you'll rub right to the basecoat in no time. I'd know from experience, but luckily I did it in a small inconspicuous spot.

What you're most likely dealing with is actually a combination of water spots and calcium deposits, which is very common in the nooks and crannies of the engine bay due to water from manmade sources (which has lots of minerals in it) settling in all these areas of the engine bay over time from when you wash your car.

You're going to have to deal with the etching (if any), but you can still remove the white staining and the water spot itself with CLR from any grocery store. I've found it to be a bit of a miracle product when it comes to removing chronic water staining and water spots in the engine bay. It even works great on the plastics, provided you dress them again afterward.
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Old 04-07-2014, 09:16 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY View Post
Don't use any kind of polish in the engine bay. The clearcoat is sprayed on much thinner, if at all and you'll rub right to the basecoat in no time. I'd know from experience, but luckily I did it in a small inconspicuous spot.

What you're most likely dealing with is actually a combination of water spots and calcium deposits, which is very common in the nooks and crannies of the engine bay due to water from manmade sources (which has lots of minerals in it) settling in all these areas of the engine bay over time from when you wash your car.

You're going to have to deal with the etching (if any), but you can still remove the white staining and the water spot itself with CLR from any grocery store. I've found it to be a bit of a miracle product when it comes to removing chronic water staining and water spots in the engine bay. It even works great on the plastics, provided you dress them again afterward.
Alright cool. Kind of crappy that I can't get rid of etching. But at least I can make it look better, Thanks!
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Old 04-07-2014, 09:28 AM   #4
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Hey guys I was at a car show and I had my engine bay open looking under the hood, everything else was fine except for the little crease by the quarter panels when the hood is open, it has these hard water spots that are probably baked on because of the heat from the engine. Will scratch X or a rubbing compound take it out? Thanks, its something different that doesn't really come up here so yeah, any help would be appreciated.
VINEGAR AND WATER WILL WORK, AND NOT THE SUMMERS EVE KIND!
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Old 04-07-2014, 05:17 PM   #5
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What have you tried?

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Old 04-07-2014, 05:49 PM   #6
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I'd like to know also. I've tried claying, but haven't tried vinegar. Guess I'll try that when I get home.
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Old 04-07-2014, 05:56 PM   #7
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Hey guys I was at a car show and I had my engine bay open looking under the hood, everything else was fine except for the little crease by the quarter panels when the hood is open, it has these hard water spots that are probably baked on because of the heat from the engine. Will scratch X or a rubbing compound take it out? Thanks, its something different that doesn't really come up here so yeah, any help would be appreciated.
This is how I have always done it. I soap the engine really well with a sponge in ever area I can. Rinse it off real good and then out comes the leaf blower. This normally gets rid of just about every drop of water. I then go back with some quick detailer and a micro fiber to hit anything the blower missed. As for water spots... I normally just put a little elbow grease into it and they come out.
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Old 04-08-2014, 06:47 AM   #8
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What have you tried?

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YES MANY TIMES! SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN MY OLD CONDO WAS KILLER ON MY BLACK PAINT AND FRONT WINDSHIELD! VINEGAR AND WATER! EVEN I WAS SURPRISED TOO! GOOD LUCK.
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:24 AM   #9
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What have you tried?

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Haven't tried anything just thought about it just now and when I was at the car show. I tried Adams detail spray and it didn't take them off.
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Old 04-08-2014, 05:56 PM   #10
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Haven't tried anything just thought about it just now and when I was at the car show. I tried Adams detail spray and it didn't take them off.
Your steps should be vinegar, then clay, then a light polish.
. Same goes for any water spotting.

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Old 04-08-2014, 07:34 PM   #11
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Your steps should be vinegar, then clay, then a light polish.
. Same goes for any water spotting.

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Just regular vinegar? Or dilute it?
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:15 PM   #12
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Just regular vinegar? Or dilute it?
1:1

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Old 04-09-2014, 12:13 AM   #13
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Spotless from Carpro is a killer product.
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Old 04-09-2014, 02:40 PM   #14
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Spotless from Carpro is a killer product.

I've only seen it on Youtube..... How do you like it? I am in the process of reloading my detail equipment and supplies and this was on the list...
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