Hard (rinse) water leads to water spots.

[Quicksilver]

I was talking to someone today who say's that the water at their house is so hard that after they rinse they can't dry the car fast enough. It still gets water spots. (This may be lack of knowledge about how to wash a vehicle) But let's set that aside for a moment

Have any of you encountered this problem?
What did you use or what did you do to
solve the problem?

[steed77]

Yes I just went through this.
Long story, short.... the local dealer here was gettting my car wet for 2 days straight in the hot summer sun. It actualy etched into the clear coat!
some pics after 4 washes....yes I said 4 hand washes





I was able to get it out... it took some time.
I first used Adams clay bar, then Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover with my Dewalt buffer on CCS Foam Pads
then I followed up with 3 hand coats of P21S Concours-Look Carnauba Paste Wax

The look now is PERFECT!!! I will have to get a few shots. The paint just POPS and it looks to be an inch thick,

Always wash out of direct sun. If you have to wash in the sun....get some help and keep it wet. I typicaly wash in the late evening when the paint to cool and shaded.

Heck, I have been known to wash in the rain too, yes I need help


Someting like this may help too.
http://www.spotfreeh2o.com/
There are cheaper ones out there.. and they work well too

[Quicksilver]

Great advice but in his case not practical.
The evening thing has had limited success
but again, one cannot always wash in the
late evening.

Is there something that can be added to
the hose that will soften the water?

Originally Posted by steed77

Always wash out of direct sun. If you have to wash in the sun....get some help and keep it wet. I typicaly wash in the late evening when the paint to cool and shaded. Heck, I have been known to wash in the rain too, yes I need help

[steed77]

Added to my OP.

Also THIS one is on my next buy list
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...th+fittings.do

[Quicksilver]

Hey you may be on to something. Wash at one of those automatic sprayer type car washes. They soften their water right??

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Our whole village uses wells and the water's extremely hard. Serious pita. I haven't washed any of the cars at home because of this problem. No water softening for the outside water lines in our house.

Washing in the shade doesn't prevent spots.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Hey you may be on to something. Wash at one of those automatic sprayer type car washes. They soften their water right??

Nah, even the neighboring cities get municipal water, so I just have to drive a few miles over to get good water. There are these diy car wash places. Around 10 bays in which you can manually wash your car yourself.

Then again, I haven't washed the Prelude in two years.

[rayxi]

There's this:



I've never used it so I can't say whether it works or not.

[vinuneuro]

Our laundry room is close to the garage. I just realized I could connect the garden hose to one of the faucets that the washer connects to. hmm..

[Kewl X5]

Next time use this....
http://crspotless.com/

[lakai]

This used to happen with my Avalanche. The only thing you can do to avoid it is to wash the car in shade if possible, and in sections. You could try that Mr. Clean thing and it might help.