Window Water spots

[knowyourturbo]

Hey there Gary, I've had water spots on my 'other' vehicle since purchased over 2 years ago ('85 4runner), I need help in removing the water spots on every window, and the windsheild has little pits and other imperfections through out it, what would YOU recommend,The vehicle was from CO so salt was probably part of it's life....Stew

[TripleJackInGA]

Gary may recommend something he knows of, but the only thing i know of that is supposed ot work on this is something that Zaino sells.It's a glass polish, and like all Zaino stuff, better check your bank account before you buy it.

[turbomangt]

Oh Boy, my least favorite topic. First thing you have to do is distinguish the difference between hard water spots and acid rain etching. If the glass has been etched (similar to when a clear coat gets etched) you will only be able to improve it, not remove it. Reason is because the term “etch” means it has broken down a component of the substrate (be it glass or metal) Hard water spots are not easy to deal with either. Most of the products I will mention are for professional use, some you may have access to. You may find a product called water spot removal, maybe someone here can post if they know of one easily available. Be careful though as they will contain acids designed to solidify the minerals in the hard water spots. The easiest trick I have found is to get yourself some glass polish (yes they make glass polish) and some “ooo” steel wool. If you cannot find glass polish use car polish, (something with some abrasives in it, not a pure polish like Zaino) some pro’s use compounds, but I would not suggest that for you to try. Any Meguiars cleaner polish line will work. Apply the polish and rub with the steel wool GENTLY on the glass, keeping lots or polish between the glass and the steel wool, do one section first and see how it looks. Rinse, and dry for inspection. I had a few cars where I thought it was water spots, and when I got into it I saw it was etched. Sometimes a high speed buffer works also if you know of someone that knows how to use one. You guys are testing me now I can tell. Gary

[Sci-Fi]

Just to add to the above posts:

Personally, I would try distilled white vinegar first, either a 50/50 mix with distilled water or full strength. Vinegar is slightly acidic and breaks down the water deposits/spots and is also effective in removing any wax or oily film on your windows. After rinsing, use a claybar with a quick detailer product or a car wash/water mix as a lubricant on your windows. In most cases, this method has worked well for me, YMMV.

If you want or have to go the steel wool route. Instead of #0000 steel wool, which leaves a lot of fine steel particles to vacuum or wash off, 3M makes a Scotch-Brite Never Rust soap pad that is made of plastic and works just as effectively. Can combine the pad or steel wool with some vinegar to clean your windows faster. A lot of the 99¢ and dollar stores carry the 3M starter 8 packs. Again, follow up with a claybar.

Can also use a glass polish, like One Grand Glass Polish, Zaino Z-12 Clear-View, Plexus (is for plastic but works on windows and mirrors), etc. or a paint cleanser, like S100 Shine Enhancing Cleanser, P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleanser, Klasse All-In-One, or something mildly abrasive that does not contain wax. I'm not a fan of waxing windows. The mild abrasives clean up and remove water spots on the windows nicely.

Other Glass polishes require the use of a random orbit polisher, or high speed buffer or drill with a specialized pad and backing plate. I would caution the use of a high speed buffer or drill because of the possible heat generated if you overwork a spot, you may crack your glass. Using a random orbit polisher would be a lot safer. Heavy duty glass polishing using Cerium Oxide is best left for the professional glass shops.

[turbomangt]

Sci-Fi/ Great post and advice/ Gary

[quicksilverdon]

To keep glass water spots from coming back, I find Rain-x is great. It's "sheeting" action doesn't allow drops to settle.

[turbomangt]

Have you had any experience with Rain x clouding up, or making the wipers hesitate? Gary

[Hooligan]

Gary has a posting in his website using Denatured Alcohol and water, using that on Rain-X, I found that it clouds up. Gary suggested using Simple Green to see how it would come out, about the same. I then used 100% Ammonia followed with washing with dish soap. That did the trick, although there is still some Rain-X on the glass. The wipers never had hesitated on the Rain-X[.:I] I never would apply it on a windshield again [xx(]. knowyourturbo: The best bet would be to "happen to chip or crack" your windshield and get a new one!!!

[TripleJackInGA]

The last time I used Rain-X on my 99 Dakota R/T, it did have a tendancy to make the wipers seem to smeer when I used them. The only thing I could figure is you have to *really* polish the heck out of it to get the excess off after you apply it.

[turbomangt]

Hooligan, does that mean you still use rain x or no? I would think your dish soap misture would remove all the protection rain x layed down. I use something else for sealing glass for the reasons mentioned already.