Removing water spots Options

[Cal]

My '74 2.0L was painted about 25 years ago in two-stage base/clear coat. The paint job is in excellent driver quality condition and looks great from 5 feet away. Up close it has faint water spots that appear to be etched into the clear coat.....mostly on the flat areas; hood / trunk surfaces. I've detailed the entire car by hand....washed, clay bar, polished, waxed, etc. and the spots are still there. What would be the best advise for possibly removing the spots? I've never needed to or used a buffing machine before.....the past 35 years I've detailed everything by hand. Should I consider buying one or just take the car to detail shop?

[Jeff Hail]

Start with a very clean and dry car. Cool weather and not in direct sun.

Use a 50/50 solution of water and plain white vinegar on a new yellow terry towel/ microfiber. Wipe it on and let it dry to a haze.

Then use Meguirs #47 one panel at a time. #47 is the boat crowds hail mary for removing hard water spots. Follow the instructions.

This should break any mineral deposits free from the paint surface. Both will also remove any wax or sealants.

Wash the car again except use a very mild soap about 1/10th of what you normally would use. You want to float anything off the surface you just treated. Dry out of direct sun.

Wax the car with a good quality wax. I still prefer carnuba/ bees wax formulas. After you wax the car go over it again with something like Meguiars Detailer Last Touch D15501 or similar such as Griots #11098 (this used to be pink now its dirty white but still smells like a bubble gum in a strip club).