hard water spots - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

morepowerjoe · 11-15-2022, 02:59 AM

Hey guys. So, I recently had my engine rebuilt that took like 2 months because the machinist was so backed up so my car set outside for 2 months in the rain and sun. And the owner at the shop thought he was doing me a favor by spraying off the dust like once a week with hard water anf left water spots all over the entire car. I tried Adams 2 step compound and polish with just a minimal results. These spots are deep. I had done an avalon king ceramic coating not even 6 months ago as well and thought it would be ok in the rain and sun but nope it's all jacked up. My car is black and even with a microfiber cloth with less than 600 gsm it will scratch the paint up just by scrubbing to long in one spot. This paint is really a pita to keep up with. So I was reading up on what to do about it and found a lot of people say that you need to wet sand the paint to remove the spots but I don't really want to do that so what do you guys recommend? Thanks

FASTFATBOY · 11-15-2022, 06:46 AM

Ceramic coatings really are not what they are proclaimed to be.

Try Meguiars water spot remover.

If not you will have to get the coating buffed off, good luck.

KenKat · 11-15-2022, 04:04 PM

I parked in a parking garage once that was not in great condition. It started raining while we were away from the car and water had run down through the concrete and dripped on the car and left a stain that would not come off with a regular washing. I used a dilution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts distilled water and that removed the stain. I have heard you can use a 1:1 mixture for stubborn stains but I always start with less harsh and move up if needed.

I’d try a small spot before doing the whole car obviously.

FASTFATBOY · 11-15-2022, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenKat

I parked in a parking garage once that was not in great condition. It started raining while we were away from the car and water had run down through the concrete and dripped on the car and left a stain that would not come off with a regular washing. I used a dilution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts distilled water and that removed the stain. I have heard you can use a 1:1 mixture for stubborn stains but I always start with less harsh and move up if needed.

I’d try a small spot before doing the whole car obviously.

Small chance, he tried buffing it with no results.

FasNuf · 11-15-2022, 06:22 PM

I would be questioning the professional that applied the ceramic coating. I'm assuming here that they would stand behind their product. 6 months sounds a little early for that protection to break down. He may be willing to try removing the spots for you under warranty.

morepowerjoe · 11-15-2022, 06:24 PM

It was a diy application and I put it on. Lol

KenKat · 11-15-2022, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

Small chance, he tried buffing it with no results.

Google says otherwise

morepowerjoe · 11-15-2022, 11:50 PM

I think I will try to buff with a more aggressive pad and see what happens.

FASTFATBOY · 11-16-2022, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenKat

Google says otherwise

I detail on the side, I have yet to have vinegar of any strength take off water spots where I am.....not once.

FASTFATBOY · 11-16-2022, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I think I will try to buff with a more aggressive pad and see what happens.

What pad are you using?

If these won't take it off with Meguiars M110, you're in trouble.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Micr...a-357624706493

KenKat · 11-16-2022, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

I detail on the side, I have yet to have vinegar of any strength take off water spots where I am.....not once.

Fair enough. It worked in my situation but being in Alabama near the ocean could change the composition of the spots maybe? The good thing about the vinegar option is that it costs very little to try it.

ZED SLED · 11-16-2022, 11:25 AM

If it burned thru the clear you're screwed, but I had something similar happen to my 2013 ZL1. Sprinklers at a hotel went off overnight and decimated the hood with those kind of spots. Nothing I tried worked. vinegar, Adams compounds, etc. Took it to my dealer's body shop and they tried 3M Perfect It polishing compound and that took it right out. Ordered some and finished it. You don't want to get real aggressive with it though. Can't remember which level it was. It's been a few years but if it's still in my garage I'll check it out tonight and report back. Good luck.

morepowerjoe · 11-16-2022, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

If it burned thru the clear you're screwed, but I had something similar happen to my 2013 ZL1. Sprinklers at a hotel went off overnight and decimated the hood with those kind of spots. Nothing I tried worked. vinegar, Adams compounds, etc. Took it to my dealer's body shop and they tried 3M Perfect It polishing compound and that took it right out. Ordered some and finished it. You don't want to get real aggressive with it though. Can't remember which level it was. It's been a few years but if it's still in my garage I'll check it out tonight and report back. Good luck.

Thank you.

Bigdumogre · 11-16-2022, 08:43 PM

I had the same problem with neighbors sprinklers soaking my car daily during the summer. I used my buffer with mequirs compound then wax and it’s 80%better. Feels like I need to do it a few more times to make it decent.

11-15-2022, 02:59 AM	#1
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,109	hard water spots Hey guys. So, I recently had my engine rebuilt that took like 2 months because the machinist was so backed up so my car set outside for 2 months in the rain and sun. And the owner at the shop thought he was doing me a favor by spraying off the dust like once a week with hard water anf left water spots all over the entire car. I tried Adams 2 step compound and polish with just a minimal results. These spots are deep. I had done an avalon king ceramic coating not even 6 months ago as well and thought it would be ok in the rain and sun but nope it's all jacked up. My car is black and even with a microfiber cloth with less than 600 gsm it will scratch the paint up just by scrubbing to long in one spot. This paint is really a pita to keep up with. So I was reading up on what to do about it and found a lot of people say that you need to wet sand the paint to remove the spots but I don't really want to do that so what do you guys recommend? Thanks __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-15-2022, 06:46 AM	#2
FASTFATBOY Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Mobile Al Posts: 302	Ceramic coatings really are not what they are proclaimed to be. Try Meguiars water spot remover. If not you will have to get the coating buffed off, good luck. __________________ 2013 ZL1 M6, 2.4 pulley and a few bolt ons. 590 wheel and 11.70@122 on a hard tire.

11-15-2022, 06:22 PM	#5
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,619 View My Garage	I would be questioning the professional that applied the ceramic coating. I'm assuming here that they would stand behind their product. 6 months sounds a little early for that protection to break down. He may be willing to try removing the spots for you under warranty. __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

11-15-2022, 06:24 PM	#6
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,109	It was a diy application and I put it on. Lol __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-15-2022, 11:50 PM	#8
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,109	I think I will try to buff with a more aggressive pad and see what happens. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-15-2022, 04:04 PM	#3
KenKat Drives: 2014 2LT RS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 622	I parked in a parking garage once that was not in great condition. It started raining while we were away from the car and water had run down through the concrete and dripped on the car and left a stain that would not come off with a regular washing. I used a dilution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts distilled water and that removed the stain. I have heard you can use a 1:1 mixture for stubborn stains but I always start with less harsh and move up if needed. I’d try a small spot before doing the whole car obviously.

11-16-2022, 11:25 AM	#12
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,477 View My Garage	If it burned thru the clear you're screwed, but I had something similar happen to my 2013 ZL1. Sprinklers at a hotel went off overnight and decimated the hood with those kind of spots. Nothing I tried worked. vinegar, Adams compounds, etc. Took it to my dealer's body shop and they tried 3M Perfect It polishing compound and that took it right out. Ordered some and finished it. You don't want to get real aggressive with it though. Can't remember which level it was. It's been a few years but if it's still in my garage I'll check it out tonight and report back. Good luck. __________________

11-16-2022, 08:43 PM	#14
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	I had the same problem with neighbors sprinklers soaking my car daily during the summer. I used my buffer with mequirs compound then wax and it’s 80%better. Feels like I need to do it a few more times to make it decent. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!