Water Marks

I have a '95 E320 and a '88 300TE and both have "rain drops marks". What products should I use to remove these marks and restore the original finish. I do not have a buffer. Thanks for the help.

When you say "rain drop marks" what exactly do you mean? Are these marks still present after you wash the car? Have your two cars been kept indoors or outdoors most of the time? Is acid rain a problem where you live? When they developed the rain marks was there a good coat of wax on the finish? For starters I would try a going over of Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Polish #7. If the polish applied by hand does not do the job there are other options, but you always want to try the least aggressive measure first. In fact, if the first application does not remove all the marks try another. If that proves inadequate post or email me back and I'll get right back to ya. Follow the polish up with a coat of Mirror Glaze Yellow Wax #26. Good luck with the spotting.

Lee

I don't know if jimmypear got his water marks out, but I have them, also. I have tried the Maguire's routine, which usually works great, but all I get is a smooth shiney finish with shiney water marks! I don't have an acid rain problem, the car is kept indoors, and dried thoroughly after rain and washing. With the obvious exception of the time that caused the water spotting! It looks like I need something that actually gets into and/or under the immediate surface to remove the spots, and all wax/polish along with it, then start anew. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Joe

Joe-
The first thing you need to determine is if the spots are ON the paint or IN the paint.

Carefully feel the paint surface with your fingers (after washing, etc). Do you notice ANY roughness whatsoever where you see the waterspots? If so, you need to clay the surface to remove the spots because they are ON the paint. Use either Clay Magic or Meguiar's clay. I like Clay Magic better because the Meguiar's clay is too soft. Be sure to coat the surface first with Final Inspection or Quick Detailer prior to rubbing the surface with clay. (just follow the instructions that come with the product).

If the surface feels PERFECTLY SMOOTH then your problem is IN the paint. The best way to attack this is by starting with the least aggressive method and gradually use more aggressive methods until the problem is resolved. You DO NOT want to be any more aggressive than you have to.

1) If you haven't already tried something like Meguiar's #7 polish. Try this first.

2) Next try Meguiar's #9 Swirl remover. This can be applied by hand or with a buffer but, the buffer really works much better. This is a heavy duty cleaner that will remove most anything but, it's still safe to use.

3) Next try Meguiar's #2 Fine Cut Cleaner. This product must be applied with a buffer. Use caution, you are actually removing paint with this product! This is as far as I would go as a non-professional.

If you get to step #3 and still have spots then you need to take your car to a professional. You don't want to cause more damage.

Once you finally get rid of the spots make sure to apply a good coat of wax and keep your car waxed. Also give it a quick spritz and wipedown with Final Inspection after washing each time to prolong the wax. If the Final Inspection begins to streak, then you need to rewax.

Couldn't of said it better myself Bill...

Only thing I'd add is that after you use M#2 or M#9 go back over the same area with M#7 just to give it a matching shine. Once you have the surface shine matching (or even exceeding) the surounding area you can wax with M#26 or your favorite wax.

Before using the Meguiar's stuff I might consider giving the clay a shot just for grins. Even if the finish feels smooth over the spots you might want to go over it once with the clay just to be sure. I've seen a Clay Magic bar pull stuff out of the paint that M#9 wouldn't touch. Plus the clay is not invasive in the least where the #9 and especially #2 are. Best of luck and keep us posted on how it turns out.

Lee

Lee

I've had some good luck using the clay on the water marks like the above posts talked about. I used the Meguiars Clay/Detailing spray and I was able to get about 80% of the spots out...I was afraid to go beyond that, so I just live with the few remaining spots.
Give the clay a try!

Good luck guys!
Mike

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1986 300E 138k
MBCA Concours Judge
Board Member -
Western Reserve Section


[This message has been edited by ytown (edited 05-14-99).]

Thanks all for the information. Very informative! I will give those steps a try this week and post back to let you known.

Happy driving...
Joe