Water spots, In the paint that I can't get out Options

[michael7810]

I've tried wax, polishing compound and rubbing compound and it doesn't do a thing to remove these spots. They appeared after the car was parked outside in the rain, then sun. It looks like the paint is faded because I
can't feel anything on the surface. I recently cleaned and waxed it with PS21 products and it looked great until this. The car was painted 25 years ago. Thanks for any tips you have.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1170.photobucket.com-13164-1379987048.1.jpg)

[Rob-O]

Actually, from a chemistry perspective (and a paint one too, since I've worn that hat), water is best. The deposits are minerals present in the water before it evaporated on the surface. Try washing the car, in cool weather, in the shade if possible. Keep the area saturated (wet) as long as possible. That will help the deposits become soluable in the water again. Using rubbing compounds doesn't usually do a good job because the binding agent of the deposits aren't affected by the solvents (xylene/benzene/ketones) that are used as the carrier solvents for the 'grit' of rubbing compounds.

Polishing paint (which is removing paint, really) doesn't seem like a good solution to removing something that is ON the paint.

If the water route doesn't work, head to your local marine store, there are some products out there specifically made for removing water spots from boats.

Now THAT is my kind of response, since I wear the science hat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) That's what I've always done - saturate the paint with a longer wash. Clay bar if you like at that point. Then follow up with a quality wax. The wax will help to fill in the microscopic voids in the paint and minimize the deposition of other materials like minerals.

Thanks Painted Man, just trying to help. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I use a clay bar on my vehicles as well. I haven't used it for water spots though. It is an easy method to try first if you have the clay bar around. If not, I've found the clay bar at Autozone or other FLAPS.