Serious water spots/Oxidation

[SubyDude05]

I just purchased a new vehicle in perfect mechanical condition, however the jackass that owned it before me let it get doused by a sprinkler over quite a period of time. The result; water spots and oxidation over a good portion of the car that are not going to come off without a lot of persuasion. I took it to a local auto detailer and they stated that an Acid wash would take care of the majority of the spots but there would most likely still be an faded outline of the water spots remaining on the vehicle. They stated that clay bar would not work on the spots.

Any ideas how I can remove these spots on my own? Once they are on is it pretty hard to get them off? There are also various scratches around the vehicle. What is the best way for removing these? Clay bar and wax?

Thanks

[ninefourteener]

Clay magic.... stuff works wonders.

If it doesn't work...... nothing will... time for a respray.

[RexDriverNY]

Although Clay does work magic, it does nothing to correct your paint. Sounds like you need a compounding, followed by a good polish perhaps even a 2 step polish, and then a sealer or wax or both...whichever you prefer or feel like spending the time on. Go to autopia.com( a great website for detailing). There is an article there about repairing swirl marks, water spots, paint oxidation and other minor paint damage.
It should give you a good idea of whats going on and what needs to be done. Remember this, Subaru has a soft paint, it damages easily but with some work and the correct tool it will look as new.

[pzr2874]

You can even try the Meguiars 3 step process..... best out there IMO.

[RexDriverNY]

there are lots of good polishes and waxes out there, I think what's more important is the tool you use to lay the polish down. Meguires is a solid choice if it's all you can get your hands on but there are plenty of others out there.

[pzr2874]

I can't see "water spots" not coming off w/Meguiars... We have the hardest water in the country and I have NEVER seen spots NOT come off. Might not be just water.

[kronos]

If you can purchase or borrow Meguiar's G110v2 Professional Dual Action Polisher that would be your best course of action.


http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G110v.../dp/B002XOXSI2

[strang3majik]

Only do this if you trust yourself enough with it, or have a friend that can help you. This will work and will make the car look better than it did brand new as long as you do it right.

go buy some sandpaper (2000 grit would be best for this situation...probably don't need anymore coarse since your basically just cleaning it up and not cutting through real bad orange peel)...and get yourself a bucket of soapy water and a hose, wetsand the entire car (careful around edges so you don't sand through the clear).

Basically, you just want to wash the car with the sandpaper, don't sand hard, but, once you finish, the entire car should be somewhat dull, and should be flat as a pancake. (you don't have to sand real hard since you're just worried about getting the oxidation and water spots off).

Then, once you did all that...get a buffer and some compound and go over it. But, I recommend you get someone that knows what they are doing buff it, unless you are confident with it. But, you can burn through very easily if your not careful.

But, 90% of show quality paint jobs have this done to them anyway just to get any orange peel or runs out, but...in this situation, it will sand out all the imperfections in the very top layer and the buffer will make the scratches smaller and make it shine like crazy, and, since you wetsanded it, it should be smooth as can be.

If you want to try this, I will explain the process more in depth so that nothing bad happens. But, this is definitley something to consider before trying to repaint it, because, I really don't think you'd need to do that.

[Kean]

....you guys realize this thread is over 1 1/2 years old, right?

Regardless, the initial recommendation by the detailer was correct. Decontamination step systems like Valugaurd ABC, FinishKare, etc. are quite effective for safely removing and/or neutralizing contaminants, etc. without compromising the clear. There are also water spot removers that do a great job as well.

In a scenario like this, I would (and do) choose to use those options first and then step up to more aggressive methods if needed. ....wetsanding would be one of my last options especially on a factory finish with an unknown history of previous correction (unless I had a PTG to measure the paint thickness).

[strang3majik]

wow...sorry about that. One guy bumped it to the top and I just followed suit...lol

But, you have a good point. I was just saying wetsanding is far better than opting for a repaint.

Okay...back to the grave this thread can go.

[Tucker48]

I just purchased a new vehicle in perfect mechanical condition, however the jackass that owned it before me let it get doused by a sprinkler over quite a period of time. The result; water spots and oxidation over a good portion of the car

Any ideas how I can remove these spots on my own? Once they are on is it pretty hard to get them off? There are also various scratches around the vehicle. What is the best way for removing these? Clay bar and wax?

Thanks

Rain water is not a problem but hard water spotting is a problem here too. Tap water will spot up and leave white dots on the car,
Spots are not as much a problem because I don't use wax.
They appear with tap water left to dry on the car but they wipe clean with a damp towel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYbArHPrw2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWX870d4LEg