Glass Water Spots!!!

[Snowflood]

I have read, I think, just about every thread about detailing and can't find a definitive answer on how to remove water stains from glass. All of my glass, exterior portions, are hard water stained like you wouldn't believe. I don't know what the hell the dealer did to it, but it looks like crap. I have used wax, vinegar and even chrome polish trying to remove it and nothing even begins to remove these stains. I know Zaino has a glass polish of some sorts, but I will not spend the money if it isn't going to remove these spots. Could someone please enlighten me to the ways of clear, unstained, spotted glass

 

[ygmn]

If the vinegar did not remove then.....hmmmmmmmmm

Try this....

Wash glass...
Soak towel with vinegar and let it sit on water spots for a few minutes....
Then follow up with an abrasive wax product or glass polish....Swirlmark removers or similar.

The zaino glass polish works good but works better when used with a orbital buffer.......

I have heard of a new product out made in New Orleans area that removes water spots by chemical means....I just forget the name sorry.....

HTH

 

[Ron]

Snowflood:

Go to www.ipdusa.com

Click on Car Care Products - Exterior Cleaning - Water Spot Remover.

The product is called Auto Glass Water Spot Remover. Cost is $12.95 for 1.4 lbs.

This stuff is great. I had an old car with spots that nothing would touch. Did the vinegar, newspapers and about 5 other ideas. Nothing worked. Water Spot Remover works. Took all the spots off with very little work. Just rub on with circular motions and wipe off.

Good luck.

 

[Snowflood]

Thanks for replying...I was going to try the towel soaked with vinegar, but was afraid it may do something to the paint or the weather stripping. 1.4lbs...what is this stuff a powder? I guess I will try it then follow up with the zaino.

 

[Ron]

Snowflood:

The Spot Remover is a white liquid. It really works.

Ron

 

[got_change]

I hate those spots!!! I wash my truck every single day, with zip wax car wash, and recently always use a squeege instead of a chamois. I have worked over the windows, about once a month, with bartenders friend, ( at the grocery store) and am having less and less..... window spotting. I think it has to do with what soap you wash it with!!!!... try the squegee!

 

[Snowflood]

These water spots have actually been on the truck since day one and I think it has to do with the locations the truck has been. I live in Utah, bought the truck in Northern Idaho, but the dealer got it from Montana. Not exactly the sunny states!!! I will try just about anything right now and even inquired on new windows...especially the back one over the midgate...horrid! I will try bartenders friend and that white liquid stuff too...actually I will try it first...Thanks all!

 

[Sunset_Orange]

Gents, here's a trick I learned from a buddy of mine who's in the professional detail business. ?

Use 0000 (four-ought) steel wool and Bon-Ami to get rid of all the water spots. ?The 0000 steel wool will not scratch your glass, and Bon-Ami is not abrasive.

I've used both for a couple years; including on my 2000 Corvette and my '96 Grand Sport Corvette (neither of which are still with me). ?I never had any problems with water spots once I tried it.

Just be sure to use only 4-ought steel wool, and only Bon-Ami cleanser. ?And keep the glass wet; I use Glass Plus - lots of it.

Trust me on this... it works.

 

[wvavalanche]

I have the same problem snowflood.... the windows are terrible I can hardly see at all when it rains, It's like the wipers just smear whatever is on them around and it's been like that since day one !
I have tried every window cleaner I can find and vinegar. Someone said they had the same problem and they used "Invisible Glass" by Stoners and it took it right off. I've been looking for some but have yet to find a can.

 

[dmacker]

wvavalanche,

Good to see you up and posting.

Have you tried cleaning the wiper blade with alcohol.

I regularly take carbonated soda and a towel and clean the road grime and grease from the windshield. You get a lot of the oil and gas from the washer tubs at the gas stations. People use the cleaner sponge to clean off their fuel spills on the car. The next guy who cleans his windshield get the gas all over his windows.

Good luck and hope to see you at the GTG.

Mac

 

[AVid]

I would never use steel wool on glass. Metal and glass just don't mix. I don't have spot problems but I do use Soft Scrub to remove road film several times a year. Be sure to only use on the glass. Bon Ami should work also. Both products are a very mild abrasive.

Good Luck

 

[GoldBowTie]

I would never use steel wool on glass. Metal and glass just don't mix. I don't have spot problems but I do use Soft Scrub to remove road film several times a year. Be sure to only use on the glass. Bon Ami should work also. Both products are a very mild abrasive.

Good Luck ?

I have used 000 steel wool on windshields without any problems. It works well to get the splattered bugs off. However, do not use it on the exterior rear view mirrors glass - I don't think that is really glass. Don't ask me how I know this.

Vinegar seems to work well to remove water spots from the mirror "glass." I have done the vinegar mirror treatment only once, so far so good.

I guess what I am trying to say is "No matter what you try, proceed with caution and care."

 

[dbond911]

I have found using a #0000 or #000 steel wool and Windex on the glass and it gets rid of the hard water spots without scratching the paint. Hard water spots are usually caused by either well water or somebody washing a vehicle in bright sunlight.

DON'T USE THE STEEL WOOL ON THE PAINT OR CLADDING...JUST WINDOWS!!!...didn't mean to shout, just wanted to clarify.

 

[ibshortie]

I have the same problem snowflood.... the windows are terrible I can hardly see at all when it rains, It's like the wipers just smear whatever is on them around and it's been like that since day one !
I have tried every window cleaner I can find and vinegar. Someone said they had the same problem and they used "Invisible Glass" by Stoners and it took it right off. I've been looking for some but have yet to find a can.

Invisible glass cleans well but it doesn't touch the water spots I have on my windows. I bought a case of it online or you can use the store search feature and find out who carries it in your area.

http://www.invisibleglass.com

 

[ygmn]

Water spots are mineral deposits in the water that remain when the water evaporates.....

Vinegar is a weak acid which helps remove them...

There are other products on the market that remove them and some are made for home use which I advise being careful with as these may be too harsh for the paint which you will get some on when cleaning....

Paint cleaners sometimes also work to remove water spots..the chemical kinds like Klasse AIO, P21S paint cleaner etc etc...they have chemical cleaners and very very fine abrasives that will help remove these spots....

I suggest applying something to the glass toi make future removal easier....I use AQUAPEL which is STP vision Blade.....similar in function to Rain-X but a better product IMO....

But you can apply a polymer sealant like Zaino, Klasse, blackfire etc etc etc...or just some wax......but with wax the wipers will have a smear effect...

HTH

 

[av03]

rubbing alcohol will take it off

 

[PHATYELAV]

As odd as it sounds try using toothpaste. Try something non-abrasive at first. I use it on a shaving mirror and cleans it up great. This was a old detail secrete I heard of a while back..

Test it first. Other than a shaving mirror I havn't tried it on a vehicle.

 

[powersurg]

When I wax my truck I use two rags. One rag is for the initials rub down. I then use the second one to get rid of any wax dust or left behind wax. I have found that this rag acts as an incredible window cleaner. Not only does it take out stains and water marks but it is like putting rainx on all your windows. There are no streaks or swirl marks either. I have not had too many water spot problems since this discovery.

Now I would like to know how I can get rid of that drip that occurs from the build up of water underneath the side view mirrors after you dry your truck.

 

[SJProwler]

Now I would like to know how I can get rid of that drip that occurs from the build up of water underneath the side view mirrors after you dry your truck.

I use the leaf blower method, makes it easier to dry the truck and if you really blow out the mirrors and around the top boxes and upper cladding in the rear it gets rid of those annoying drips.

SJP

 

[powersurg]

I use the leaf blower method, makes it easier to dry the truck and if you really blow out the mirrors and around the top boxes and upper cladding in the rear it gets rid of those annoying drips.

SJP

Ha Ha that is excellent. I can only imagine the look on my neighbors faces as they look at me blow drying my truck. I was out there washing it a few days ago prior to a GTG and it was around 35 degrees. It was so cold that the shady parts of the truck were turing to ice. My neighbor comes walking up to me and said I was crazy. I guess you would have to own an Ave to understand.

Thanks for your suggestion. I will definetely be giving it a try.

 

[pedr0]

I've had good luck with Bon-Ami after every wash. I've been wetting a dish rag with Windex, then sprinkle on a little Bon-Ami and it seems to cut right through the spots.

 

[Splatz]

Gees... I'm glad I'm not the only one with a horrible windshield! I can't believe how bad mine is. I don't know what's worse when it raines... wipers or no wipers it smears so badly. I half thought about breaking it and getting a replacement!
Thanks all for the tips!

 

[powersurg]

Gees... I'm glad I'm not the only one with a horrible windshield! I can't believe how bad mine is. I don't know what's worse when it raines... wipers or no wipers it smears so badly. ? I half thought about breaking it and getting a replacement!
Thanks all for the tips!

There was a post many months ago regarding how bad the stock windshield was. I think it had something to do with it's strength though.

 

[Digital_X]

i used zainos glass cleaner. it took all the water spots and calcium build ups right off......