I guess I should be saying 'windscreen' since this car is british... This weekend I noticed some water spots that seem to stay even when I use some standard glass cleaner. Any tips/tricks?? Someone in another forum said vinegar (2 parts water 1 part vinegar)

 

DetailingClay should do the trick.

 

Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish

 

If you have clay, I would start with that. Sometimes it's not enough to get all of your water spots if they're really stuck on the windshield or if they've etched it. (or sometimes people stop short because they get tired of claying! ) Still, it'll likely remove the "big stuff" to make your next step easier.

If you still have spots remaining after clay (or if you don't have clay), then I would try vinegar. I would not dilute it... you don't need to worry about vinegar harming glass. In fact, it works best if you saturate a towel with straight vinegar and lay it on the windshield. Let it sit there to work into the water spots for several minutes. Then rub the glass down with the same (stinky) towel.

Glass polish is also worth trying if the other two don't work.

Good luck!

-Heather

 

Thank you, Heather. I was getting ready to post about the water spots on my windscreen when I found this thread. I tried the clay this morning and it worked beautifully. I also have some water spots on the paint, which I put Epic on at the end of February. If I clay those spots, should I spot reapply Epic?

 

Yes, you should reapply Epic if you clay.

Although it's hard to determine precisely whether or not you have removed all or a certain amount of a wax from claying, it's best to assume that you have removed it. Of course, durable synthetics will hold up better than carnaubas or less durable synthetics, etc, but in general they all take a good beating from claying. Best to assume that you've removed your wax whenever and wherever you've clayed.

Great to hear that your windshield water spots came off nicely with clay! Clay is a wonderful thing.

-Heather

 

I've had great luck with steel wool. The KEY is to by the finest you can get. At Home Depot I found some stuff that worked great. I think it was #00000, but I'd have to check for sure (it's at home and I'm at work).

Worked great for me! No scratches and the hard water spots are all gone. It did take a little elbow grease so maybe using vinegar.

I've never tried using clay, so I don't know if that would work even better or not. (glad it worked for you though!)

 

I used vinegar and the spots were gone instantly. Can't see anything now. Thanks for the advice!!!

A friend from a body shop also said they use the finest 00000 steel wool to remove small scuffs scratches and impurities from glass too.

Thanks!

 

Portable steam cleaner.

 

Wait a minute... you "can't see anything now"???? You're supposed to be able to see everything now that your windscreen is clean and clear!

Seriously though, I'm glad to hear that the vinegar worked!

-Heather

 

I need to add vinegar to my detailing supplies. Thanks for the tip!