[KevinA]

Every time I wash any of our cars I get water spots. I always hand wash and use a car wash soap. I usually take it for a quick spin as soon as I'm done to dry it. I've tried wiping it down with some detailer spray after it's dry, this helps, but I can't get rid of these spots.
Any ideas, suggestions?
Also, what do you use on your wheels?

 

[TurboC]

Re: I see spots! (KevinA)

quote:[HR][/HR]I usually take it for a quick spin as soon as I'm done to dry it. [HR][/HR]​

well, um

[Modified by TurboC, 9:33 AM 2-11-2002]

 

[Triumph]

Re: I see spots! (TurboC)

try the Detailing forum.

 

[KevinA]

Re: I see spots! (Triumph)

Ok, so many forums on here, didn't know there was one.

 

[Brad Jar]

Re: I see spots! (KevinA)

Get a chamois (say shammy), and dry the car off when you're done washing.
What color is it?

 

[KevinA]

Re: I see spots! (Brad Jar)

quote:[HR][/HR]Get a chamois (say shammy), and dry the car off when you're done washing.
What color is it?[HR][/HR]​

I've tried the shammy thing with the same results. Of course, if I let it just sit there and dry, it's a lot worse. I figured why not just blow it down the road 'til it's dry- It gets all the water off quicker than I could by hand.
2 cars are white, one is dark blue, spots on all. I did find some good info on the detailing forum, saw some suggestions for using a 50/50 vinegar + water mix. I'm gonna try that.

 

[landrumdh]

Re: I see spots! (KevinA)

I like my california water blade it makes drying ALOT easier. And then I touch up with a towel / shammy.

 

[nmap]

Re: I see spots! (landrumdh)

make a trip to autozone. pickup an Absorber brand towel, and a good set of microfiber towels.
after you wash the car take up most of the extra water laying on the car up with the absorber. rub dry with small circles with your microfiber towels (you will need several because they are about the size of a resteraunt hand towel, or hankerchief. lol. hankerchief!)
i have a black jetta, it shows water spots worse then any car i've ever seen before, and if i do a complete dry i can get the car completely spotless with no swirl marks. personally i dont like the chamois, and i've also heard that they use oils in the tanning process that arent good for the paint. i dont know if i believe that. but i do know for a fact that the absorber/microfiber combination works like a champ.
also make sure you wax regularly, that REALLY helps. and i think it would be ok to drive the car around for a couple blocks to get the water off, but i wouldn't make it a habit, every time i've done that i've done nothing but leave spots, so i only do it when i'm extremely lazy

 

[bc]

Re: I see spots! (nmap)

The california water blade and an ABSORBER pad is a killer combo.

 

[Kiss_My_SS]

Re: I see spots! (KevinA)

The second you are done washing, get it out of the sun. Get in the garage and dry it off with a chamois. That's it. No spots.

 

[theevilshiftkey]

Re: I see spots! (Kiss_My_SS)

Artificial chamois here. No spots on black Miata. I've heard good things about the California Water Blade too, if you have flat surfaces (not too many on a Miata so I haven't tried it).

 

[PsyberVW]

Re: I see spots! (theevilshiftkey)

I've used the "two-towel technique" on well waxed car or non-gritty surfaces. It works great on heavily contoured bodies (such as 1964 Corvettes and 1990 Miatas

)
Get two clean and soft towels..
1. Drape the "wet" towel across the car and soak up water, slide the towel off the car by pulling it ktoward you, across the surface of the car.
Repeat until the towel isn't absorbing as much water, wring it out maybe, do it again.
2. Take the second, drier towel, and drape it across the car, lightly pull it across to catch what water's left.
This works when in a hurry and the first "wet" towel helps get the spots out. Since the towel is damp, you can rub out glaring spots. Of course, this isn't the best method and be sure your towels don't have any tags or crust that will scrath your paint

 

[FujiTekniques]

Re: I see spots! (KevinA)

Put less soap in the bucket. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[zmt]

Re: I see spots! (WolfsburgTekniques)

I've actually heard not to use circular motions with the drying towel, as this can lead to paint swirls. I assume with microfiber or specially designed towels this isn't as much of a problem. I go back and forth with mine, and some day I'm gonna invest in one of those california water blades and follow that up with a towel.
some other things to consider: open the doors, gas tank and trunk/hatch if you can to make sure all that water doesn't leak out after you've spent all that time drying. don't roll down your windows after you've just washed your car, this may seem obvious to some, but I still do it on accident. get it out of the sun to dry it or apply any kind of paint protectant. don't wax/wash the car after driving (chance to warp rotors, or mess up the hood paint from the heat of the engine. hmm, am I missing anything? better go to the detailer's forum to catch up on my skill. didn't know there was such a thing

135k miles, original paint, and I still get offers for my car on a regular basis http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif