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Getting rid of hard water spots?

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by TuesdayTaco76, Mar 14, 2023.

  1. Mar 14, 2023 at 7:37 PM
    #1
    TuesdayTaco76

    TuesdayTaco76 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Still all in my head… but I’m keeping the chrome bumper!
    Howdy people, hope all is well out there for everyone. I had to wash my truck and wasn’t able to use a water filter/softener and I’m left with some decent water spots on the glass that won’t go away. Anyone out there have some proven techniques for removing them? I wash the truck now with a filter on the hose so no new spots come but the old ones keep reappearing. Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Mar 14, 2023 at 7:45 PM
    #2
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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    BTWNaRock&aHardplace likes this.
  3. Mar 17, 2023 at 3:06 PM
    #3
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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  4. Mar 17, 2023 at 3:26 PM
    #4
    TuesdayTaco76

    TuesdayTaco76 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Still all in my head… but I’m keeping the chrome bumper!
    That one always makes me scared to try, has it worked for you?
     
  5. Mar 17, 2023 at 3:32 PM
    #5
    DES2009

    DES2009 Minister of Truth

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    I'm a Millionaire! One Million Posts!!
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/SPOT-X-GEN...ower-Windshields/153568820761?redirect=mobile

    [​IMG]
    $17 3M 8440 Doodlebug Cleaning Pad, 4.6" x 10" - 5-Pack, White
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ROP5XG?ie=UTF8


    I used this combination 10 years ago with great success when the glass on my son's car became etched from acid-like rain while he was away at college. The school (TCU) was doing major renovations to their football stadium at the time, and my sons car was parked for months without moving in a nearby lot. His windshield, rear window, and passenger side windows were covered with deep water spots that nothing would remove. I think it was concrete dust in the air that caused the problem. This stuff repaired the damage, and the glass looked like new.

    Read down a couple paragraphs for tips...
    https://askannamoseley.com/2015/08/how-to-clean-glass-shower-doors-the-easy-way/

    When I bought it, you could buy the Spot-X with 2 pads as a set from Amazon, but it's no longer available. The generic stuff from ebay is the same powder.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #5
    TuesdayTaco76[OP] likes this.
  6. Mar 17, 2023 at 4:34 PM
    #6
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    If you’re asking about the 0000 steel wool. In all my years of detailing I’ve never scratched a window or windshield. In combo with the vinegar the windows come clean very easily.
     
  7. Mar 17, 2023 at 10:23 PM
    #7
    polodinks

    polodinks Well-Known Member

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    i never tried the steel wool and vinegar sounds promising but i know i used the chemical guys hard water remover on my mustang that had water spots on all the glass and came out pretty good
     
    TuesdayTaco76[OP] likes this.
  8. Jul 7, 2023 at 1:42 PM
    #8
    Alan53

    Alan53 Active Member

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    I have used Menzerna fine finishing polish witha orage pad many times works great ... only abrasive i know that will actualy polish glass is Cerium I have used that to take out wiper scrape marks it will cut into the glass .most polishes and compounds will not . it just will take out water spots
     
  9. Jul 19, 2023 at 10:43 AM
    #9
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Try an acid wire wheel cleaner. Spray it on a rag and rub the stains right off, then rinse it off with water. Thank me later, been detailing cars close to 40 years. It will out perform any water stain remover snake oil out there, no need for 0000 steel wool.
     
  10. Jul 19, 2023 at 11:10 AM
    #10
    TuesdayTaco76

    TuesdayTaco76 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Still all in my head… but I’m keeping the chrome bumper!
    Do you have a name or pick of one you use? I’ll thank you now… and I’m sure later too. :fistbump:
     
  11. Jul 19, 2023 at 12:57 PM
    #11
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    I use a commercial product. Look up Commodore coating in Richmond, Va. they have the wire wheel cleaner I use. They may ship it to you.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2023 at 4:22 PM
    #12
    TuesdayTaco76

    TuesdayTaco76 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Still all in my head… but I’m keeping the chrome bumper!
    Right on. Thanks again.
     
  13. Jul 20, 2023 at 9:59 PM
    #13
    Taco 422

    Taco 422 Well-Known Member

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    3D 107 eraser gel is working well for me.
     
  14. Aug 14, 2023 at 1:21 PM
    #14
    sarcastictechsupport

    sarcastictechsupport Well-Known Member

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    I tried vinegar and magic eraser on mine and it was barely making any progress. I tried McGuire Medium-cut cleaner on a microfiber cloth and everything comes right off.
     
  15. Aug 14, 2023 at 1:31 PM
    #15
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

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    I've never had luck with the diy methods, but found the Sud Factory water spot remover actually works like it does in the vids. That product blew me away. Would highly recommend.
     
    VaToy likes this.
  16. Aug 15, 2023 at 2:46 AM
    #16
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    I have used their products and they are okay but for real baked on water spots on glass and paint try some wire wheel cleaner followed by a rinse. Its better and faster.
     
  17. Aug 15, 2023 at 8:07 AM
    #17
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

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    I mean... it worked to get spots off for me that no other product would even touch. Not even wet-sanding. I'm a believer, but YMMV.
     
  18. Sep 1, 2023 at 3:02 PM
    #18
    FLJB

    FLJB Well-Known Member

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    Hard water stains on windows (only) can be removed with a product called Whink Rust Stain remover. Google it brown bottle about 5 bucks.

    A bit on a paper towel applied to a small area and wiped in and then buffed off with a paper towel. Do not get it on the paint.

    It is like a less powerful CLR and will remove the hard water stains from out side of windows. it is a pain but works very well.

    Do it in the shade, if the sun gets to it it will haze over and be a pain to get off. This is a window tint installer trick
     
    TuesdayTaco76[OP] likes this.
  19. Sep 1, 2023 at 3:26 PM
    #19
    skiwaves8

    skiwaves8 Well-Known Member

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    hard water spots on windows spray window cleaner on glass and use a razor blade on it.
     
  20. Sep 1, 2023 at 7:25 PM
    #20
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    I have used wink before but be careful it can ruin glass most importantly the windshield as the protective top layer of glass can be damaged. A wire wheel cleaner is better than wink, used both in my detailing business for 38 years.
     

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