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Old 08-09-2012, 04:20 PM   #1
undrgroundskat3r
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Default How do I get water spots off of my car windows?

These spots are REALLY bad and have been on there since i bought the car. Been putting off trying to get rid of them for awhile but Im finally getting around to it. So far I've tried putting some white vinegar on a wash cloth and scrubbing the hell out of it with no luck. This showed up in alot of google searches so i figured this would be a good start. Should i let the vinegar soak on the window for awhile somehow then try scrubbing it or... I also saw some stuff about 000 grade steel wool - does this work? Will my windows get scratched up if its not a certain grade? What will take these spots out?!
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:03 PM   #2
XERO287
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Post a picture. DO NOT take any grade of steel wool to glass.
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:11 PM   #3
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clay bar! works everytime! in my experience, continuous maintenance of windows with claying every so often will make the windows cleaner longer, and wipers smoother
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:11 PM   #4
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if it was on your paint i would say claybar it....hmmm maybe use it on the windows? lol
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:17 PM   #5
undrgroundskat3r
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Where can you buy a clay bar?
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:22 PM   #6
STiZzle2010
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Local auto store like autozone.
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:32 PM   #7
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^ that and it's not sold individually, it usually comes in a kit. if that doesn't work, at least you have an awesome cleaning agent!
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:36 PM   #8
undrgroundskat3r
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xiiicarlo View Post
^ that and it's not sold individually, it usually comes in a kit. if that doesn't work, at least you have an awesome cleaning agent!
lol tru that!
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Old 08-09-2012, 08:17 PM   #9
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you could get some window waterspot remover. If you have access to a detail supplier like Malco you can usually get it. I think its too harsh of a chemical to sell in the store

http://www.malcoautomotive.com/Water...r-details.aspx
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Old 08-09-2012, 08:20 PM   #10
severe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XERO287 View Post
Post a picture. DO NOT take any grade of steel wool to glass.
00 steel wool is fine and doesn't leave any scratches. also works great on exhaust tips.
polish + a da makes them like new, all those wiper marks and spots you see when they're wet all go away.
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Old 08-09-2012, 10:21 PM   #11
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Just some random thoughts....

Clay will only help remove above-surface contamination. If the glass is etched, it will do little to help. That's not to say it wouldn't hurt to try.

Water spot removers may help and I've used products like Chemical Guys WSR with excellent results. It's essentially a chemical alternative and a step up from the relatively mild acetic acid (vinegar) you already tried. ...but again, depending on the severity of the issue, the effectiveness may be limited.

0000 steel wool is used by some with apparent success (NOTE: with a lubricant), but I (personally) have reservations using it on the typically softer glass these days (used it years ago though). Many even use Bon Ami in a slurry mixture.

Worst case scenario, cerium oxide will help to actually remove etching/scratches but it's got it's own drawbacks which should be researched prior to use. Not for the casual DIY'er IMO.

If you are trying to find a solution, I would concentrate on a small area first. Work with your products/techniques/tools there before doing an entire window/area. ....and as always, use the least aggressive method necessary to get the job done.
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Old 08-09-2012, 11:51 PM   #12
Yeeman19
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I used Diamond Magic to remove water spots from my windows. It cleaned the windows up nicely and I can also use it around the house.
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Old 08-10-2012, 12:21 AM   #13
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Agreed on clay bar, as long as the spots arent etched in there. Made the glass super clear.
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Old 08-10-2012, 12:39 AM   #14
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Take to a detailer to get a water spot removal. You can usually pay about $50 to just have them do it for you.
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Old 08-11-2012, 10:30 PM   #15
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Rain-x makes a window cleaner and it is supposed to be a pre cleaner to the regular rain-x. It works great, gets rid of water spots and everything else, I use it every time I wash my car.
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Old 08-11-2012, 10:37 PM   #16
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I use this from Zaino. I've used it on very badly etched windows. It takes about 30 min a side window by hand if the are bad. After two windows you will need to take a break because you get the death grip. After you get them all cleaned up, keep on top of them and it wont take so long the next time.

You can use a machine, but you can distort glass if you put to my heat into them.

Nothing that doesnt have some sort of abrasive is going to take out bad etching.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...oduct_Count=14
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Old 08-11-2012, 10:39 PM   #17
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I use a terry cloth towel and CLR (Calcium Lime Rust). It worked very well for my glass shower so Itried it on the windshield. Works great. I just spray a little on the towel and work small areas at a time then rinse it off. I have no idea what it will do to paint so I don't spray it directly to the window.
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Old 08-12-2012, 10:23 AM   #18
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there is stuff out there called bio clean. It's like a compound for glass. works amazingly well.
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Old 08-12-2012, 10:59 AM   #19
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rust remover.
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Old 08-12-2012, 12:29 PM   #20
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In an effort not to make either of us look too stupid, are you sure its not small bubbles under a tint film? No pics so I figured I'd throw that out there just in case. Unlikely, but you would need to go a completely different route to solve the problem.
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Old 08-12-2012, 08:45 PM   #21
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I always used to get small water spots on my windows so I started using a waffle weave micro fiber towel on all the windows inside and out everytime I dry the car off after a wash and it works great.
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Old 08-19-2012, 01:10 PM   #22
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I had the same problem but was lucky the clay cleaned it up nicely. I was doing some research on Autogeek and I may order this for next time. http://www.autogeek.net/dp515.html
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Old 08-25-2012, 07:45 PM   #23
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Griot's Garage Glass Polish. They make a fine glass polish also. Now, they also have a clay bar specifically for glass. No clue what makes it different than their regular clay bar(or any bar for that matter), or if it works any better. They do make a glass cleaning pad that works well also. HIGHLY recommend this. It's about $15 and will last awhile.
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Old 08-26-2012, 04:35 PM   #24
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many ways.

optimum poli seal on a hand applicator (or DA if you feel better) will get rid of light deposits and etching. clean the window well first and go at it. then, lightly buff off with a non-linting microfiber.

optimum spray polish on a non to light cut pad and a DA will get rid of moderately etched spots; it depends on the glass. when you are satisfied with the results, buff it off.

there is a company called Metal Wax that sells a couple grades of acid for metal work, however, they also sell it for window spot removal. it's basically an amped up version of the vinegar **** everyone suggests. an old detailers trick was taking diluted wheel acid and using a quick working and very water-filled technique to quickly and efficiently remove water spots. well, Metal Wax has made that a bit simpler but you still need to be very careful and follow the directions EXACTLY. i also suggest trying a test spot to assure it doesn't etch the glass because newer glass seems to be softer than before. it's better to work with a weaker dilution to get the hang of it.

whatever you do, once it is clean, i suggest cleaning the windows often as opposed to letting stuff dwell on them and using optimum spray wax on a COOL windshield OUT OF THE SUN once the window is dry after cleaning/ washing to help "trap" the minerals from the spots and make your class less likely to etch. you can clean and reapply the wax as often as you want.

the reason i don't suggest a heavy duty coating like opti-coat for the windshield is because while it is the best thing since sliced bread for pretty much all exterior surfaces, it is susceptible to repeated abrasion and wipers will do that. however, you can apply it to the rest of the windows and if done right it will permanently prevent the windows from getting etched.
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Old 08-26-2012, 05:27 PM   #25
ColeBerkenbile
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I cleaned mine with a nanoskin autoscrub, that thing blows me away. I had some bad spotting that invisible glass couldn't touch, one pass with the autoscrub and it was gone
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