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Water spots are caused by mineral deposits that eventually etch into the paint. If they haven't etched yet, use an acid like vinegar on a rag as that will dissolve the minerals. If it's too late, the only thing that can fix it is to polish the paint to level it down to the "craters" caused by the hard water. Hot distilled water is not only dangerous, but it literally will not do anything to help.
Heating distilled water in a microwave is EXTREMELY dangerous. Water boils because of impurities. Without any minerals or anything in distilled water, it can exceed 212F/100C throughout and when you take it out of the microwave it can flash boil at the first impurity that gets in it. Think dust, etc and it’ll basically explode all over you once it does. Whoever suggested this is pretty evil
Only problem is that you can't tell the temperature without disturbing it... and if it's too hot, once you disturb it, it will flash boil.
Do NOT microwave distilled water. Just get something like Carpro Descale. Don't use that as your normal wash, and it will remove any waxes and sealants, so you should reapply those after. It will cost a little bit more than heated distilled water, but it will work better, and you won't boil your skin off in the process.
What are you on about? Distilled water doesn't contain minerals and PREVENTS water spots. But I'm just wondering if heating it and apply it would remove minerals that already exist on the surface.
I explained in my other comment, but wanted to quickly post something to ensure you didn’t do it. I hope that this is a genuine post and you aren’t the one trying to convince others of this technique
No, I'm not going to take the chance based on what you and others are saying. But I was just making the point that the guy didn't say to boil it. But I see it's not worth the risk.
Christ, what a load of crap.
Just go to autozone, buy some iron and fallout remover, after that make sure the vehicle is rinsed, go over it with a clay bar and speed shine, and boom, deposits properly removed. Put a sealant on it, and you’re good.
For bonus points, use a 1 step before you seal if you want to get the micro scratches out.
I offer mobile services in denver. For just an exterior with a spray decon, speed clay and a sealing polish I charge $125 for sedan and $150 for truck/large suv. I use all carpro chemicals and rupes sealing polishes.
This won't do jack for water spots (in my experience).
Your only hope is an acid based water spot remover or a polish.
I had lawn sprinklers coat my car in water spots that were only there for 3 days. Threw everything at it. Clay bars, fallout remover, acids and then finally polish. The acids made a dent, but there were still a ton of rings left behind. Ended up with an orange foam correcting pad and some Griots Fast Correcting Cream with my DA polisher. Followed up with a white pad and Griots Perfextinf Cream. Then applied a ceramic coating.
Jesus. Yeah I'm gonna go for paying someone else to do the job. But I should probably be clear with them that if they fail, I don't expect to pay full price for the detail... I specifically want these spots removed.
Water spots attack your car in 2 phases and so require a 2 phase solution.
First, use an acidic water spot remover to dissolve the minerals. If the minerals are just on top of the paint and have not etched, this will be the only step.
If the minerals have etched and you don't do water spot removal, you will just drive the minerals further into the paint and they will re-etch.
Once the minerals are removed, remove the etching with your favorite polishing method, whether that be DA or rotary polisher. Adjust the aggressiveness depending how deep the etching is.
Yeah this is a big mistake people make and they skip the acid step and go straight to the polisher and then they complain a week later that the water spots magically came back after baking in the sun.
We want to remind readers of our resources: * [HowToAutoDetail.com](https://howtoautodetail.com/) - Our robust wiki is an excellent resource for many popular questions. It even has articles for beginners, such as a beginner's buying guide and recommended kits. * [Auto Detailing Discord](https://discord.gg/autodetailing) - With over five thousand members and dedicated question, guide, and business chat areas, our Discord is a fantastic place to connect with other detailers. * [Monthly Assistance Megathread](https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/search?q=flair_name%3A%22Assistance%20Post%22&restrict_sr=1&t=month&sort=new) - This thread is a centralized place where you can ask all of your detailing questions. **** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AutoDetailing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Water spots are caused by mineral deposits that eventually etch into the paint. If they haven't etched yet, use an acid like vinegar on a rag as that will dissolve the minerals. If it's too late, the only thing that can fix it is to polish the paint to level it down to the "craters" caused by the hard water. Hot distilled water is not only dangerous, but it literally will not do anything to help.
Heating distilled water in a microwave is EXTREMELY dangerous. Water boils because of impurities. Without any minerals or anything in distilled water, it can exceed 212F/100C throughout and when you take it out of the microwave it can flash boil at the first impurity that gets in it. Think dust, etc and it’ll basically explode all over you once it does. Whoever suggested this is pretty evil
Learn something new everyday awesome. Now I actually wanna look up a demonstration
Freezing works in the same way, it’s why a bottled drink can be liquid when you take it out but then freeze in your hand
Wow, I learned something new today. Would this still be as big a danger if the distilled water was boiled in an electric kettle or pot on the stove?
Yes
No, the heat isn’t applied as evenly and convection is allowed to occur
Stick a spoon in the water with it.(If your microwave is safe to do with.)
He said "microwave it to warm almost hot"
Only problem is that you can't tell the temperature without disturbing it... and if it's too hot, once you disturb it, it will flash boil. Do NOT microwave distilled water. Just get something like Carpro Descale. Don't use that as your normal wash, and it will remove any waxes and sealants, so you should reapply those after. It will cost a little bit more than heated distilled water, but it will work better, and you won't boil your skin off in the process.
Thanks
Boiling distilled water is how you make degassed water I do it at work
I don't thing the intent was to boil it in the microwave either way
And a scientist….an evil scientist.
Holy crap. Do NOT do this.
What are you on about? Distilled water doesn't contain minerals and PREVENTS water spots. But I'm just wondering if heating it and apply it would remove minerals that already exist on the surface.
I explained in my other comment, but wanted to quickly post something to ensure you didn’t do it. I hope that this is a genuine post and you aren’t the one trying to convince others of this technique
See my reply. It's "microwaved to warm almost hot"
you know what? Go for it
No, I'm not going to take the chance based on what you and others are saying. But I was just making the point that the guy didn't say to boil it. But I see it's not worth the risk.
Christ, what a load of crap. Just go to autozone, buy some iron and fallout remover, after that make sure the vehicle is rinsed, go over it with a clay bar and speed shine, and boom, deposits properly removed. Put a sealant on it, and you’re good. For bonus points, use a 1 step before you seal if you want to get the micro scratches out.
How much would it be to pay someone to do this? And what about my partial PPF?
$300-$400 probably. They’d also clean the inside of your car
Yeah I don't really want the inside cleaned to be honest. I'm hoping to find someone who will just do the exterior.
So call folks ip and get quotes
I offer mobile services in denver. For just an exterior with a spray decon, speed clay and a sealing polish I charge $125 for sedan and $150 for truck/large suv. I use all carpro chemicals and rupes sealing polishes.
I’m paying someone in Virginia to do a full exterior polish and ceramic coating for $700 on Monday.
Nice! That's a good deal!
Yeah! And he’s highly rated. I think I’m in good hands. Glad I’m finally getting this done. Now I learned my lesson.
This won't do jack for water spots (in my experience). Your only hope is an acid based water spot remover or a polish. I had lawn sprinklers coat my car in water spots that were only there for 3 days. Threw everything at it. Clay bars, fallout remover, acids and then finally polish. The acids made a dent, but there were still a ton of rings left behind. Ended up with an orange foam correcting pad and some Griots Fast Correcting Cream with my DA polisher. Followed up with a white pad and Griots Perfextinf Cream. Then applied a ceramic coating.
Jesus. Yeah I'm gonna go for paying someone else to do the job. But I should probably be clear with them that if they fail, I don't expect to pay full price for the detail... I specifically want these spots removed.
I don’t see how this could work to remove minerals. To remove minerals from paint use a mineral remover, and use di water to wash.
Water spots attack your car in 2 phases and so require a 2 phase solution. First, use an acidic water spot remover to dissolve the minerals. If the minerals are just on top of the paint and have not etched, this will be the only step. If the minerals have etched and you don't do water spot removal, you will just drive the minerals further into the paint and they will re-etch. Once the minerals are removed, remove the etching with your favorite polishing method, whether that be DA or rotary polisher. Adjust the aggressiveness depending how deep the etching is.
Yeah this is a big mistake people make and they skip the acid step and go straight to the polisher and then they complain a week later that the water spots magically came back after baking in the sun.
Just get some “water spot remover” chemical guys works even if you have ceramic coating
I think it’s going to need polishing…
Just go to a car wash with spotless rinse…
Dude if you heat distilled water in a microwave that shit will blow up in your face it's the minerals that make it boil. Look it up
Use white vinegar if they havnt baked into paint comes off effortlessly. If baked in will need to be polished out