After the first couple miniutes of rain, I moved my car into the garage and let it dry several days ago. I saw a lot of spots on the hood, top and trunk lid. They look like calcium deposit into the clear coat, they can not be removed by water, I have not washed the car yet. Are they the water spots or ? Can they be safely polished out or I am in deep trouble? Took several pictures but I have touble posting them, please help.

Take a microfiber cloth and apply some regular white vinegar on the spots before trying anything harsher.

It's just the minerals that remain when the water evaporates.
I'm sure the car has gotten wet before and it has survived the ordeal.

Is it waxed?

Just wash it and wipe it dry this time, with a micro or chamois.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Here are the pictures, are these water spots? This is a 90 560sec, smoke silver.

Attached Thumbnails

     

There is your answer.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Chc, if the vinegar removes the water spots I recommend polishing and waxing the entire car. A high quality carnuba wax should prevent future water stains, or at least you should be able to easily wash them off with a damp cloth.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks you all for your advice. Sorry to ask, is vinegar safe for the clear coat? Do I need to worry about over apply and damage the paint?

Did you try washing it yet?
Just applying and buffing the wax might remove anything the wash doesn't get.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Wash along does not get rid of them, I believe I need to do something more.

Vinegar is safe for the clear coat.

Like was mentioned before, you can put vinegar on a rag on wipe it on the water spots. I usually recommend a 50 / 50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

All vinegar does is dissolve the mineral deposits.

If it doesn't work, I'd then try rubbing a polish into the affected areas.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Vinegar does not work. Polish does not work either. Desperate need advise. I also recall I have a car cover on the car when it rained last week, could the soaking car cover part of this. The cover is from COSCO. I am going to look for some opinion form auto detailer nearby to see what they say. Again those spots appear to be soaked into the panit, not just on the surface.

A detailer would be able to remove the spots easily with a rotary buffer and compound.

You might also try detailing clay.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Chc, the paint is probably etched mildly. Try some machine polish and a ROB. Begin with a mild polish, and if that won't work use a slightly more abrasive polish, then the mild polish again. Good luck.

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Fred Hoelzle

It works.
Get out the Meguiar "Clear Coat Prep" from my garage and tried it on a small area, rub really, really hard. The spot just clear away, won't say totally away but at least 90%. Planning order a Porter Cable 7424 to do the job. I am so released now and again thanks for all your help.

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94 E420 116k
90 560sec 57K
90 560sel 57k
89 300E 138K (sold)
87 Porsche 930S 38K (sold)

Keep that baby waxed up from now on!

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz