Water spots are more than just an ugly annoyance that show up on your car’s surface after you’ve driven through rain. Left unchecked, they can permanently stain or penetrate your car’s paintwork.
If you are a proud car owner, you’ll understand the pain of water spots on your vehicle’s surface. This unsightly phenomenon happens when water, usually rain, dries up on your car’s surface, leaving behind residue such as mineral deposits. If left untreated, water spots can ‘eat’ into your car’s paintwork. Here are some tips on how to prevent water spots, and how to treat them when they appear.
Give your car a coating
As prevention is better than cure when it comes to warding off water spots, the best approach is to get a wax or sealant coating on your vehicle. The coating’s hydrophobic properties repel water from the surface, which causes it to bead or slide off easily. While it doesn’t fully prevent water from staying on the surface, getting a coating for your car is the first step in preventing water spots.
Get your car washed regularly
Giving your car a regular wash not only keeps it clean from the usual suspects like bird droppings but also prevents water spots from forming as impurities are removed.
Seek shelter
If you don’t have access to a covered car park, it’s worth getting a car cover to prevent your car from getting wet when it’s parked! Another benefit of getting a car cover is of course, protection from the sun – no more blistering hot cars!
Take immediate action
It might appear a little excessive, but it pays to dry your vehicle after you’ve driven through rain, as the last thing you’ll want to happen is to allow water to dry on your car. Once you’ve parked in a sheltered area, or when the weather is clear again, pat dry your vehicle with a piece of cloth, preferably one that’s made from microfibre, due to its high absorbency.
Wash it ASAP
If preventative measures are not enough to stop water spots from forming, you must act fast! As soon as you notice water spots on your car, give your car a quick rinse with clean water, then dry it with a soft cloth.
If the stains are stubborn (but not etched into the paintwork yet), you can try using a vinegar mixture to dissolve them. Add equal amounts of water to white vinegar into a spray bottle, and spray the mixture onto the stubborn water stains. Allow it to rest for a few minutes so that the acidic solution can dissolve the marks, before wiping it off with a cloth. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it with a cloth afterwards.
Try a clay bar
For even tougher water stains, a clay bar, which is designed to remove heavy stains from a vehicle’s paintwork, can be used. Used together with a clay lubricant, it works by lifting impurities from the surface.
Time For A Polish
If the water spots have unfortunately penetrated your car’s paintwork, you may try to remove it by polishing it. Using a foam or microfibre pad, apply a small amount of suitable car polish onto the affected areas in circular motions until the stains disappear. To protect the paint, don’t forget to apply wax on your car when you’re done.
