You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
Anyone recommend something to remove hard water spots from the windows of my MINI? Am now using Mr Clean system (not the soap), but have residual water spots from before.
Thanks for any input!
Might be worth trying something slightly acidic (white vinegar maybe).
I tried everything (within reason) to get some water spots off my black roof, but to no avail. I guess with glass you can be a little more aggressive with your approach.
Have a look on www.autopia.org (do a search on water spots). If anyone knows how to do it, you'll find the answer here.
I think it worked pretty good for all the glass. It has a bit of grit like a toothpaste so helps a lot to remove stuck on material (like bugs). It turns to a powder when it dries so makes for a bit of cleanup though.
You may want to try clay baring the windows. It seems to remove things that my window cleaner won't. Not sure about hard water spots but, worth a shot.
I've heard about the white vinegar before, but I seem to remember seeing it diluted at least 1:4 with water (1 part vinegar / 4 parts water) and getting it off the car fairly quickly (20-30 seconds). Do a bit of digging around on the web before putting the straight vinegar on your car. (or even following my 1:4 dillution recollection).
Claybar or a polish (both abrasives) will help to remove the waterspots as well.
Using the Mr. Clean Autodry system will help prevent them in the future. Keeping a good sealant or coat of wax on there would also do wonders... waterspots from the sprinklers at my office wipe off w/ a microfiber and some Z6, but I've got several coats of Zaino on the paintwork.
I've heard about the white vinegar before, but I seem to remember seeing it diluted at least 1:4 with water (1 part vinegar / 4 parts water) and getting it off the car fairly quickly (20-30 seconds). Do a bit of digging around on the web before putting the straight vinegar on your car. (or even following my 1:4 dillution recollection).
Claybar or a polish (both abrasives) will help to remove the waterspots as well.
Using the Mr. Clean Autodry system will help prevent them in the future. Keeping a good sealant or coat of wax on there would also do wonders... waterspots from the sprinklers at my office wipe off w/ a microfiber and some Z6, but I've got several coats of Zaino on the paintwork.
So long as he doesn't drip it on the bodywork (and leave it there) vinegar will do no harm to glass. I would try to keep it in contact with the spots as long as possible; I don't think a quick rub will do the trick.
If you go to a home improvement store they usually carry a polish for glass shower doors. I'm sorry I don't have a specific name for you but usually it's a gritty paste that has cerium or something in it to polish the glass. Works great, but does take a bit of elbow grease.
Bon Ami "Cake" . Made by the same folks that make Bon Ami cleanser. You can find it at a grocery store, possibly, or a hardware or cookware store. This stuff has been around darn near forever and works great for removing water spots from glass.
From the Bon Ami website (is there any company that doesn't have a website?):
"Many allergists recommend original Bon Ami because the natural ingredients contain no detergent, bleach, perfume or dye. Bon Ami still makes its 1886 formula Cleaning Cake the old-fashioned way – cutting the bars with piano wires and working them by hand. Bon Ami Cleaning Powder is the same 1886 formula but in powder form… and in a easy to shake round can. Both contain gentle feldspar abrasive for polishing and soap for cleaning all hard surfaces. Use to defog windows and mirrors. NASA even used Cleaning Powder to clean the windows on Skylab. Stock up and save!"
On my truck I have had good luck with Tilex spray. It's made to do exactly this. Then I follow up with a wet rag to take it off and then make sure to dry quickly (so I don't get more water spots).
--Doug in Albuquerque, the land of hard water
__________________
Foamy, the funnest little car in Gainesville since Dec '06
Plan to tackle the windows and hard water spots this weekend when I wash.
I have put 3-4 coats of Zaino on the paint and use Z6 some, but nothing on the windows. Once I can get rid of the water spots, maybe some RainX?
I think my water spots came from the sprinklers at Wal Mart unless I waited too long to replace the filter on the Mr Clean............
In the future I will make sure I don't park near any sprinkler heads.
I have found this forum very informational on several occasions and know where to come when I have questions!
Once you get the water spots off, ZAINO THE GLASS (I only use Z2 on the glass)
You can Zaino any smooth, non-porous surface. Zaino on the glass makes it sparkle when clean, makes it stay cleaner longer and gives you some of the Rain-X effect without causing your wipers to chatter when you are driving at low speeds and the wind won't clear the windshield well enough.
. Made by the same folks that make Bon Ami cleanser. You can find it at a grocery store, possibly, or a hardware or cookware store. This stuff has been around darn near forever and works great for removing water spots from glass.
