hey guys,

I have a quick question. I have a lot of baked-on water spots that's been there for years on my sunroof and I'm guessing front and rear windshields also.
What's the best product to use? I've tried all house remedies such as vinegar, Windex, claybar, CLR....

 

either works.

 

Clay bars are used to remove contaminates. Water spots are generally etched into the glass and or paint so you may not have much luck there. Instead try using a glass polishing kit.

 

so i guess i need a glass polishing kit... do you know where i can get one that will work? perhaps recommend a product.

thanks.

 

if you're careful and not have much get on your paint, a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar would help remove hard water spots.

also, again being careful and making sure you use FINE steel wool, you'll be able to remove those stubborn water spots as well. (also use a glass cleaner while using the steel wool to lubricate the glass) otherwise there's a small possibility it'll get scratched up.

the 50/50 vinegar/water solution is the safest route, though it might take a couple of times of well... wiping a bit.

 

yup, vinegar works very well. I always use it on glass undiluted myself. I wont hurt your paint since it is such a weak acid, but it will remove wax. I use it on the whole car (3:1, vinegar/H20, applied with a sponge, then rinsed) after I strip the old wax and before I clay.

 

www.griots.com and buy their glass polish,it is like $10 and take the spots right off.....can do whole cars glass with it in about an hour.

 

i'm researching more about your product right now bzinn.

 

try calling your local Toyota/Scion dealer and ask for their collision center and ask someone over there... or a quality detailing shop that's somewhat local and ask for opinions.
They might be able to help you out with a better solution.

 

If you have water spots on the car, like I did, the best bet is ScratchX 2.0. You have to use a little force, but it works and now my car is a beauty again. =)

PM me if you need more details.

 

What is a water spot, it is a calcium deposit left when the water evaporates. Now this calcium has a tendency to etch into whatever surface it is on, be it clear-coat, glass, etc. Left long enough, it will go very deep into the clear-coat or glass, many times so deep they cannot be taken out, they are all the way through the clear-coat..

Now, a clay bar many times will take out a lot of them if they aren't too deep, some that are a little deeper, can be taken out with a R/A and swirl mark remover or even a light cut compound, ones that are a little deeper can be taken out with a high speed, light cut and then go back over with a R/O and take out the buffer marks. In some cases, you must color sand, then buff to take some of the very bad ones out.

How to prevent the water spots: Starting with a clean non-spotted surface, you must put some kind of protectant on the surface that the calcium will not penetrate. Not many products on the market do this.Neither of these products by themselves will take out calcium deposits but they will prevent them, especially if a good regular program of use is put in practice. Of course the ideal thing would be to never let the automobile never be subjected to in climate weather or regular water systems, but let's deal with reality and provide a solution for it.

I hope that helps

 

the water spots are on the sunroof. does scratch x 2.0 work on glass? i wish i knew all this before i started washing the car the very first time i bought it new, which was 4 years ago. now that i'm more aware of it, it's a little too late.

but i'm trying the cheaper, more simplistic method before buying products online. i think i've pretty much exhausted all the methods. unless you guys can keep it coming.

 

This might sound stupid, but have you tried warm water and dishwasher soap and a dense sponge? That usually takes mine off the windows, but they might not have been on as long as yours. And I think I have alot of water spots on my paint.

 

yes, i tried using pretty much every household chemicals (safe for glass) that i can find around the house.

 

OK last time I'll say it then I give up. Use a glass polishing kit. Go to www.autogeek.com(or net) can't recall which one and buy one. It
s easy, it works......or I guess you could keep mixing househould chemicals....to each their own.

 

yes andrew. i will order the product soon. i'm just looking for the best product right now. i'm trying to narrow the results down.

 

ok, so i've narrowed it down to these 2 products! they both do the same job, but pricing is a little different. i just wanted your guys opinion on which to get... or perhaps it doesn't matter.

http://www.glass-restorer.com/index.html
$12


http://www.autogeek.net/diglclsykit.html
$30

 

 

SunRoof Water Spot Removal No Clay, No Acid, No Limeaway . ! Here is the easiest way to get rid of those water spots on the Glass Top, . COOKTOP MAX from WEIMAN its a white paste that comes with an application, much like a paste type wax, It will make all those pesky spots disappear like magic! IMPORTANT NOT for Painted Surfaces.

 

I had the same issue with water spots on my sunroof and found a method that worked really well. Here’s what you can do:

1. Clean the Area: Start by washing the sunroof with a mild car wash soap and water to remove any surface dirt. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the glass.
   
2. Apply Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto the water spots. Let it sit for a few minutes to break down the mineral deposits.
   
3. Scrub Gently: Use a soft, non-abrasive sponge or cloth to gently scrub the spots. Be careful not to use anything too harsh that could scratch the glass.
   
4. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the sunroof with clean water to remove the vinegar solution. Dry it thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent new spots from forming.
   
5. Use a Glass Polish (Optional): If the spots persist, you can use a glass polish or a dedicated water spot remover designed for automotive glass. Follow the product instructions for best results.
   

Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the glass or surrounding trim. Hope this helps!