In addition to being our most fundamental cleaning tool, water is necessary for life as we know it. But water is not kind to everything it comes in contact with; in fact, it may be particularly harmful to painted surfaces on your car. You’re probably familiar with the water spots that appear all over your vehicle after rainfall or after washing your car. The mineral deposits that you can see are what remains when the water dries. In addition to being ugly, water spots can damage the paint on your car or truck if you don’t get rid of them right away using a water spot remover.
If you wash your car with “hard” water, which has a higher mineral content, the risk of damage is considerably higher. Theoretically, fully drying your car could be beneficial, but even if the mineral deposits aren’t as obvious, some of them will still be left behind and eventually affect the paint.
Keep reading if you have a vehicle that needs to keep looking showroom fresh because we’ve uncovered some of the best water spot removers developed to get rid of those unsightly deposits and also let your vehicle’s paint shine through. Check out our reliable list for the top 5 best water spot removers.
#1 Boat Bling Hot Sauce Hard Water Spot Remover
Brand: Boat Bling
Boat Bling’s Hot Sauce water spot remover is designed primarily for use on boats, as suggested by its name, although the manufacturer claims it may also be used safely on your car or truck. Boat Bling advises using its water spot remover for marine applications after each day spent on the sea. As a result, if you apply this product to your car, we advise doing it after driving in wet conditions. Boat Bling claims that whether your car is wet or dry, you may apply Hot Sauce to make your life easy.
Applying this product is simple: Spray it on any area of your car where water spots need to be removed, and then wipe it off using a clean microfiber towel. You might need two or three towels, based on the size of your car, to thoroughly clean everything. According to the manufacturer, Hot Sauce spray contains wax sealants that could enhance protection each time you apply it rather than removing wax from your car’s paint. Additionally, Hot Sauce is safe to use on plastic and glass, especially the plastic rear windows in certain convertible tops.
#2 GlasWeld ProClean Hard Water Spot Remover
Brand: GlasWeld
It’s important to remember that Glasweld’s ProClean water spot remover is specifically designed for home use. However, you can use this all-purpose product to remove water spots from the body or glass of your car. An applicator pad for glass is included with this eight-ounce bottle of gel. To prevent scratching, GlasWeld advises using a microfiber towel or a soft cloth while applying ProClean to your vehicle’s painted surfaces.
A few users claimed that ProClean left scratches on the windows of their cars. However, based on a few of the encouraging feedback provided by pleased customers, you will achieve good results by treating the surfaces of your vehicle with the same level of care you would give an eggshell. Use microfiber across all surfaces if you are worried about damaging your car’s windows. However, you should never apply this product on plastic surfaces as it might damage them.ProClean is a water-based, eco-friendly cleaner that is biodegradable, according to GlasWeld.
#3 Meguiar’s Extreme Water Spot Detailer
Brand: Meguiar’s
This product is multipurpose and was designed for marine applications. However, you can also utilize it to make your car look better. Meguiar’s, a well-known brand when it comes to car care, developed this solution using advanced chemistry to remove water spots, shine your vehicle’s surface, and leave behind protection versus future spotting. This spray has a silicon emulsion for repelling water, laureth-9, and a variety of alcohols as surfactants, as well as dimethicone to provide protection on the surface of your car.
Applying this product to one area of your vehicle’s surface at a time will produce the best results. Allow it to sit for a little while—or longer if there is significant water staining—and then utilize a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the substance away. Apply your chosen wax or sealer after you’ve removed the water stains to help stop the formation of water stains in the future. It is advised to use this spray on a cool surface before and after washing your car. Keep this spray away from plastic surfaces.
#4 Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover
Brand: Chemical Guys
According to Chemical Guys, its heavy-duty water spot remover utilizes basic chemistry to work by using a gentle acid to neutralize the alkaline components in water stains, making it simple for you to eliminate the troublesome stains. This solution comes in a gel form, which you should squeeze into a microfiber cloth or applicator sponge before applying to the surface of your car. It is preferred that you apply this while your vehicle is not in direct sunlight.
Although the company claims that its water spot removal gel won’t harm your vehicle’s paint, they advise washing your car or truck first. This is because when you immediately apply the gel, any grit or debris on your vehicle’s body could leave scratches. After you’ve finished eliminating the water spots, you should wash and rinse your car one more time so you can neutralize the surface. This water spot remover can be applied to any exterior surface of your car, but it is not designed to clear up hazy headlight lenses. Additionally, the company advises against using this gel on body panels that have vinyl wrapping. You can apply your preferred wax or sealer to prevent the formation of future spots after applying this water spot remover and rinsing it off.
#5 Boat Candy Speed Gloss Water Spot Remover
Brand: Boat Candy
The next item was designed particularly for boats. However, it can also be used on a car or truck without risk. The water spot remover from Boat Candy is a spray-on product that, in addition to getting rid of water spots, claims to shine your car or truck’s surface and contains wax to shield the paint from future contamination. In terms of UVA and UVB protection, it also functions somewhat like a vehicle sunscreen.
It actually takes a few seconds for the water spots to start to disappear when you spray this water spot remover on your car’s surface. You can then wipe it off with a dry microfiber towel. Speed Gloss is effective in direct sunlight or partial shade on wet or dry surfaces. Boat Candy actually advises using Speed Gloss right away after navigating in wet conditions to prevent water stains from actually developing in the first place. This impressive product also has the capability of filling up minor scratches and swirl marks on the finish of your car.
Essential Information About Water Spots
The minerals that are present in water and are left behind after it evaporates are what cause a water spot. You’d imagine that water spots would be among the more harmless things that could end up on your car. However, those minerals can harm the exterior finish of your car, especially if it is parked in the sun, which could also cause the minerals to etch into the clear coat that protects your car or truck and eat away at it. The only way to get rid of the water spots if they are severe enough and have been present for a long time may be to have your car repainted.
No matter what caused your car to become wet in the first place, water stains will still be left behind. Mineral content is present in all household water to some extent, and it will be particularly high if your water is “hard.” Rainwater naturally contains a variety of minerals and compounds, none of which are likely to be good for the paint on your car if left to dry on.
A mild acid, such as a vinegar-and-water solution, could be used to neutralize and eliminate some water spots because the majority of the minerals in water are on the alkaline end of the pH scale. However, for more severe water spotting, you will require a particular product made to get rid of the spots while still safeguarding the finish of your car.
Using a Water Spot Remover
You must wash your car in order to get it ready. Your car’s paint must be clean and clear of any debris that could potentially scratch it because water spot removers must be wiped on and then removed.
While the manufacturers of certain water spot removers advise drying the car before using their products, others can be applied to a wet vehicle and subsequently removed with a dry towel. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using a product.