Aluma

Wife went on trip to Mexico and had mud/waterspots everywhere on our WRB forester. I washed it and the mud came off, but the spots didn't. I then tried the claybar, some cleaner wax, and scratch remover on the spots, and even tried by hand and buffing machine. They're just laughing at me...tauntingly...

Anyone know what else I can use to take off water spots?

guylr

I've had really good success on my 2001 Forester using 3M Perfect It II with a wool buffer then following up with Meguire's swirl remover and a good wax after that. I've had to do it twice after the local carwash left really bad water streaks in the paint. I don't know what they use but it doesn't like Subaru Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Three Wagon Family!
00 OBS
01 Forester L
03 WRX

Stymer

On the boat I use windex with a bit of vinegar. Cuts right through the water spots. I'd test it on an out-of-the-way area on the subie first though....

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Ron

'09 Forester - 2.5X Premium

TruVeld

Just a little bit of CRC on a cloth

Cheers

wakeabyss

I have some water spots on my wrb forester that I can't seem to get off either. I know dealerships use a mild acid to get the water spots off but I don't know what it's called.

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MY07 WRB FSXT MT bobbytuned
MY00 SR OBS AT

vtbimmer

This is my method for the WRB. Works perfect. Pun intended.

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Smallest sig EVER!!! lol

ewong_kaizen

Acetic Acid = Vinegar

I cleaner spray bottles labeled with "acetic acid".

On day (long ago) the land lady stopped by and said I needed to be careful with that acid or I might get hurt... :)
I wish I had some chips handy so I coulda sprayed it on the chips and ate them :)

Geezer

Consumer's Reports tested out scratch removers for surface problems (swirl marks, light scratches, etching). It sounds to me as though your paint surface must have been badly etched by whatever was in the composition of the mud that you got splattered with. It must have been highly acidic. Could it have been near an industrial area?

The one that was the highest rated was the Quixxx brand. It was the only one that was able to even out scratches that you could feel with your finger-nail. You might give it a try. But be very careful with this type of stuff. If you get too vigorous it could wear through the clear coat and cut right through to the paint. You might also test it on an inconspicuous area like in the door jam area.

Griff

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Griff (The Geezer)
Drives a 2009 Forester XS Ltd.

subarudetdur

Dont you have SONAX products in the usa or uk..?
Its the best product i have ever tryed.

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jesper
F2.5XT 05 MT van
Mica Red

wakeabyss

My bro worked at a large dealership detailing the new cars and the acid they used was a little more potent than vinegar. They were supposed to wear masks when spraying the car with the acid and were not allowed to let the acid sit too long, I think no longer than 30 seconds to a 1 minute. It was pretty amazing to see it work.

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MY07 WRB FSXT MT bobbytuned
MY00 SR OBS AT

Aluma

well, I'll try the vinegar thing today, and if it dont work, maybe the 3M Perfect II thing if I can find it locally. Thanks guys.

bigaldover

Hey Guys, Keep in mind, not only acid cleans. The problem with swirl marks and such may be due to an acid reaction. Sometimes you may need to use a base like amonia.

If you want to be really carefull, get some ph strips, and put a drop of water on your car, where the marks are, then dip you ph paper, you want to try and balance it out.

just a suggestion.

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"If you done it, it aint braggin"
AWD Believer.

Aluma

update...didnt have vinegar, but did have a buffer and bug/tar remover...I just put some of that liquid on the drops and let the buffer to its job for about 1-2 minutes, wiped with rag and they were gone! Also went to several autoparts stores and only found 3m scratch remover and perfomance finish...so I ran thru both on the whole truck, a little back to black and titanium tire finish...oh so nice! Felt like that tony stewart commercial...LOL...