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      06-12-2016, 03:44 AM   #1
coolidge
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Detailing question - water spots

Even though I have city water at home I have a horrible time with water spots especially on glass. Is there a detailing product I can use while its still wet to eliminate this issue? Or some kind of rinse product? Thanks in advance.
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      06-12-2016, 05:27 AM   #2
Neuera09
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I doubt there is a single product to eliminate water spots. I personally use chemical guys After Wash. It cuts my drying time in half. As for the windows, I use windex.
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      06-12-2016, 05:35 AM   #3
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As Neuera09 stated using an after wash spray as you are drying will help alot. I personally use a couple of sprays of quick detailer on each panel as I am drying. One towel in each hand one to absorb most of the water and detail spray and the other to buff out the remaining moisture. And I do this panel by panel. Also if you are able to do this process in the shade or inside of your garage that would be ideal.
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      06-12-2016, 06:28 AM   #4
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To echo aw305, make sure you're detailing in the shade and the paint is cool to limit hard water spots. The minerals most cities put in the water will do your clear coat and paint some serious damage if left to let dry in the sun.
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      06-12-2016, 10:09 AM   #5
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Question: If I purchased jugs of distilled water to rinse my new X5 would other BMW owners point and laugh, "hey look at that guy it must be his first BMW"
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      06-12-2016, 10:38 AM   #6
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@coolidge if you are serious they have inline water filters that attach to your hose line so that it filters and purifies the water as you are spraying down the car
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      06-12-2016, 10:59 AM   #7
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Great tip aw305 I'll look into that definitely.
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      06-12-2016, 11:25 AM   #8
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A few of us have this and works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/DI-120-Cr-Spotless-Water-System/dp/B0056HDCUM
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      06-12-2016, 01:03 PM   #9
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All of those product recommendations are good, but honestly, you can prevent a majority of the water spots from even happening by keeping the car wet as you work each panel/section of the car. That is, even if I'm washing/rinsing the back of the car, I'll spray water over the entire car so that other sections don't dry. This is more important if you are washing in the sun and/or heat.

Edit: using the water sheeting/cascading final rinse method def helps with spots along with saving on towel usage because much of the water is gone
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      06-12-2016, 02:03 PM   #10
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The CR Spotless is what you need. Used it and it works perfect. Say goodbye to drying your car!
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      06-12-2016, 02:29 PM   #11
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Another way to reduce spots is to have a water softener installed for your home.
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      06-12-2016, 04:46 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coolidge
Question: If I purchased jugs of distilled water to rinse my new X5 would other BMW owners point and laugh, "hey look at that guy it must be his first BMW"
Yes. And then we'd all run out and do the same thing.
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      06-13-2016, 03:27 AM   #13
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Metro Air Force makes the Master Blaster that reduces drying time by 75%.
Water spots never get a chance to start. Try treating your glass with Rain-X.
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      06-13-2016, 03:22 PM   #14
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All good suggestions above. Kind of obvious but the best way to avoid water spots is to thoroughly dry your car with a quality microfiber. Cheap terrycloth or most discount auto store microfiber will only push the water around...really good microfiber will leave all surfaces completely dry to the touch with only light blotting (me and a huge number of people swear by the guzzler waffle towels).

Rather than look for a product to apply while the car is still wet, just use that effort to completely dry the car. Using in-line water filters will help to avoid water spots for places you miss, as will making sure that you're not using too much soap in your wash water but the best way to avoid water spots is to not give them a chance to form in the first place.
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      06-13-2016, 05:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wifesbimmer View Post
Another way to reduce spots is to have a water softener installed for your home.
^^ This.
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      06-13-2016, 05:16 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stewy604 View Post
^^ This.
CR Spotless makes a lot more sense...
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      06-13-2016, 08:11 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by double_j View Post
All good suggestions above. Kind of obvious but the best way to avoid water spots is to thoroughly dry your car with a quality microfiber. Cheap terrycloth or most discount auto store microfiber will only push the water around...really good microfiber will leave all surfaces completely dry to the touch with only light blotting (me and a huge number of people swear by the guzzler waffle towels).

Rather than look for a product to apply while the car is still wet, just use that effort to completely dry the car. Using in-line water filters will help to avoid water spots for places you miss, as will making sure that you're not using too much soap in your wash water but the best way to avoid water spots is to not give them a chance to form in the first place.
Absolutely. I'd never wash any car, motorcycle or lawnmower without drying it down afterward. I usually begin with my leaf blower or Master Blaster to get the water out of the nooks & crannies and finish with a good microfiber towel. Not a chance of spotting. Make sure never to use fabric softener or dryer sheet when washing your drying towels. They no workey afterwards if you do.
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      06-16-2016, 01:02 PM   #18
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I always dry also with a leaf blower and then a microfiber, water spots are just a function of what is left over once the water evaporates, so you either have to get all the water of the surface before it evaporates or you have to filter the water so it is more pure - simple science!
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      06-16-2016, 03:57 PM   #19
coolidge
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So is there a wax or finish that can help guard against water spots?
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      06-17-2016, 01:36 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coolidge View Post
Even though I have city water at home I have a horrible time with water spots especially on glass. Is there a detailing product I can use while its still wet to eliminate this issue? Or some kind of rinse product? Thanks in advance.
I wash my car following this routine and never get spots even on (rare) sunny days;

1. Spray with Snow Foam
2. Spray Wash
3. Wash car using Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash and Conditioner
4. Spray Wash off
5. Use Silicone Flexi Water Drying Blade - great for getting the roof done!
6. Dry and buff up using Micro Fibre drying towel
7. Stand back and admire!
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      06-17-2016, 01:48 AM   #21
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Would using clay work?
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      06-17-2016, 07:08 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baunton View Post
5. Use Silicone Flexi Water Drying Blade - great for getting the roof done!
i would never use any of these squeegee blade devices on any vehicle. they work for the most part but that one time a piece of debris or gravel or sand or anything else gets caught... it will costs hundreds of dollars of damage. a filtered blower or similar would do a better job and not have risk of damage. (an unfiltered blower like a leaf blower may have a sandblasting effect depending on your area.)
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