Any car wash experts... I need help!

I know there are a lot of people here who take very good care of their cars. I like to think I'm one of them, but when it comes to washing my cars, I let someone else do it!

Here recently I've noticed some serious water spots along the side of my pickup. I've heard waxing and polishing will take them out, but I've also heard that you can make them more permanent by waxing over them... Is that true?

Anyone have any tips to help me out?

Thanks!

Here's a couple pics of what I'm talking about:

Try Vinagar and water (50-50)

Then you have to wash and wax. Do it at night and the water won't bake on your paint.

I use Meguires NX and love the coat. Look at www.meguires.com they have a great DIY and forum for help.

A Clay Bar process will take care of that, and really clean up all the crap on the paint in general.

Depending on how long you have had your truck, its probably about time to be nice to it. Spend the 200 and have it fully detailed. THen go trade it in cuz it ups the value 500.

Is that a window? They didn't shamoix (sp) or squeege the window - hence the water spots. Washing the car is just the beginning - you have to dry it also.

Unless you're using a cleaner wax, waxing over the spot just seals in the water spot. It's not "permanent" though. A pre-wax cleaner will remove the spot, but it's easier to dry the car to avoid the spots in the first place.

Did you pay good money for that mess?

That's the side of my bed, in front of the wheel well.

In the past I've had my truck washed, then hand dried... The spots were still there.

I'm about to try the vinegar/water mix on a small area... Hopefully that will remove it.

I have a black dodge that gets washed/detailed pretty regularly...what always kills my finish is my sprinkler system. If I park in the street alongside my lawn, the sprinklers get it wet at 5 in the morning and it's dry before I have a chance to wipe it down.

You need to use some professional products to get that stuff out. Using a Fine Cut paint cleaner and a orbital buffer will take oout problem areas in the clear coat like you have there. Then you need to get a a few coats of polish on there, and then final stage of wax and also a sealant. Looks lke you washed the car and left the water to dry in the sun and bake in, almost looks like soap suds.
Just using a wax will not do anything. Wax is just a top coat to protect the clear. You need to cut into the clear in order to get that crap out. Vinegar and water will work, but I find sometime the clear gets dulled out and you still need to polish and seal it.

Cleaner: http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-cleaner-polishs/Swirl-Remover

Polish: http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pure-polishes/Machine-Glaze

Wax/Sealer:
http://www.meguiars.com/?liquid-car-waxes/Gold-Class-Liquid-Wax

IF that doesn't work, its to the point where it needs to be wetsanded out which is dangerous considering it is a new truck!

I'm guessing the surface was too hot when it was washed. Water spots are hard to remove once they're dry/baked on.

A clay bar is expensive overkill for water spots.

I use this product line on our cars and in our home. These products are really amazing and very easy to use. I was skeptical about them working but when we moved into our home the shower door had probally 3 years worth of hard water spots on it. With a little elbow grease they came off. The car products work great also.
www.amaz.biz.

Good 'ol Turtle Wax polishing compound. Try the polishing compound first. If that doesn't work, then try the rubbing compound followed by the polishing compound. Make sure to follow it with 1-2 coats of a good wax. I usually use Zymol. Works like a charm and wont damage the paint/clearcoat at all.

I use Turtle Wax Liquid Clay Bar on my boat and truck and it will literally wipe off the water spots. Great stuff.

Not only has it left behind water spots but it left some sort of ranch mural on there.

To get your black vehicles looking like you can stick your hand through the paint its so deep looking... do the following...

1. Wash with dawn (it'll take the layer of wax or whatever off and get it ready for the next steps.
2. Clay Bar
3. If you have pretty good scratches on it use a rubbing compound in those areas only to get ride of the scratches... if not then skip to step 4.
4.3M Perfect It II foam Polishing Pad Glaze for Dark Colors (used to be called 3M swirl mark remover for dark colors)all over vehicles, in about 2 sq ft sections at a time witha buffer
5. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze with a buffer.
6. Wax or Sealant of your choice.... I use Liquid glass, about 3 coats for that deep look. You're truck will look like a show truck (paint wise at least).

If you don't have the time or don't want to do all that... just wash it real good with dawn or similar to clean it off and get the wax off... then rewax.

hate n pain...

It is a truck, it is supposed to be dirty.

If you stop washing it, you'll never notice the water spots.

-Steve

Short on time today, but I will give you a call when I can.

I agree with the process Graham said. Before that, you might even try to use a water spot remover. I have had great luck with Hot Sauce from Boat Bling.

Vinegar will take it right out.