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      01-25-2012, 07:34 AM   #1
zzzzz
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Can not remove acid rain or water spots on glass

So far I've tried glass cleaner and it doesn't work.
I even tried gasoline and it took out some, but they came back a few days later. Very strange ...

I have it all over my two windows and the mirrors of my Z4. The winshield and rear window were replaced by the previous owner, so no rain spots on them.



Last edited by zzzzz; 01-26-2012 at 06:25 PM..
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      01-25-2012, 07:37 AM   #2
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Have you tried Glass Polish? It will do the job. It works best when applied with an orbital buffer/polisher.
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      01-25-2012, 08:37 AM   #3
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Clay bar and/or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar should help, just avoid the paint.
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      01-25-2012, 09:04 AM   #4
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I have used 0000 steel wool with good results as well. Since it is dry no issues with getting anything on the surrounding surfaces.
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      01-25-2012, 08:13 PM   #5
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find a detailer that can buff it, just don't let him touch your paint
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      01-26-2012, 08:45 AM   #6
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I tried 0000 steel wool last night, sanding like crazy for 5min, with no effect. It seems like the spots got embedded inside the glass

I will try using the buffer next
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      01-26-2012, 09:44 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zzzzz View Post
I tried 0000 steel wool last night, sanding like crazy for 5min, with no effect. It seems like the spots got embedded inside the glass

I will try using the buffer next
I used to make a pad with quad-OT steel wool -(0000#) and a slurry mixture of White vinegar and baking soda.

The white residue from the baking soda helps you see where you've been and gives it more soak time too..

If your in a colder environment...you may want to heat the slurry up in the microwave to help the outcome.
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      01-26-2012, 01:27 PM   #8
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Are you talking about spots like these ? ie when you drive through a light at night or when wet, it looks like your windshield turn white.. your wipers doesn't wipe clean ? Let me know



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      01-26-2012, 01:51 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsutoratosu View Post
Are you talking about spots like these ? ie when you drive through a light at night or when wet, it looks like your windshield turn white.. your wipers doesn't wipe clean ? Let me know
Yes, my mirrors are like that at night in wet condition driving
the side windows are not as bad but you can see it
Again, the windshield and the roof got replaced maybe because of this
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      01-26-2012, 02:12 PM   #10
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I've used CocaCola to remove water spots before, it works reasonably well.
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      01-26-2012, 02:35 PM   #11
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Ok, I have 3 car and recently solve that issue. All my car has it.. sad.. when it rains, its like so fricken dangerous to drive.

Heres what I had tried, white vinegar, clay, lemon.. yeah lemon.
My friend works in a lab and he got me strong acid, stronger than the regular hcl you get in the store, degreaser (i thought it was grease), misc sprays, etc. none of them work at all till I was suggested Ceriglass - cerium oxide which is glass polish.

You can buy the powder and mix it yourself or buy a premix bottle. I bought it for like 9 i think and just used a few drops.









Ceriglass works good with polisher, I was desperate and did it by hand, you can see the results already.. the windshield isn't plague with spots







Youtube videos from a guy that used polisher to do it.. I saw this and I went and bought it.. I hope you can clean yours up.

Before:


After:
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Last edited by rsutoratosu; 01-26-2012 at 02:40 PM..
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      01-26-2012, 02:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zzzzz View Post
I tried 0000 steel wool last night, sanding like crazy for 5min, with no effect. It seems like the spots got embedded inside the glass

I will try using the buffer next
Are you positive they are water spots? Not to bore you guys with details but I work in the plastic industry and have a degree in plastics technology. Windsheilds are laminated layers of glass and plastic(PVB or PC). PC (polycarbonate) has some flaws with processing and they are getting away from it all together and if the laminating process is not done 100% correctly microscopic amounts of water vapor molecules can actually be absorbed into the PC and creates what look like very tiny bubble or water spots. This is not generally a problem with the PVB but the laminating process is still difficult and just as important. If the correct temps and pressures are not used during lamination or if there are any contaminates(airborne silicone for instance) the window will initially laminate up just fine and then months or years later micro-delamanination can occur and it too looks like tiny little bubbles. Although it's highly unlikely that eaither of these scenrios are your issue it's something to keep in mind and would be covered under warranty if your car is still under warranty. Good Luck
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      01-26-2012, 02:45 PM   #13
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Check this out http://cquartz.com/index.php?option=...glass&catid=37

Detail reviews
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ss-review.html

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=243434


I'm sure you need a orbiter or polisher to get it clean like that website
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      01-26-2012, 06:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsutoratosu View Post
Check this out http://cquartz.com/index.php?option=...glass&catid=37

Detail reviews
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ss-review.html

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=243434


I'm sure you need a orbiter or polisher to get it clean like that website
I think this will resolved my issue. Thanks for your writeup!
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      01-26-2012, 09:48 PM   #15
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Hard water spots can be removed from glass with Mineral Spirits from any hardware store. This is safe for paint as long as its rinsed off quickly. I got this from a professional auto detailer who prepares cars for shows. He also said It can be used to remove paint scuffs, road striping paint and tar off painted bumpers and fenders. It is safe for clear coat as long as you rub with a soft cloth (no abrasive) and wash your car immediately after using.
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      01-27-2012, 08:44 AM   #16
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Try this
1. Wash car
2. Claybar
3. Wash again
4. Use Rain-X 5080217 X-Treme Clean Glass and Plastic Cleaner with pad and rubb it hard onto glass.
5. Clean glass with water and dry it
6. Use Rubbing Alcohol to clean the Windshield

Please let us know the results
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      01-27-2012, 12:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Soomro View Post
Try this
1. Wash car
2. Claybar
3. Wash again
4. Use Rain-X 5080217 X-Treme Clean Glass and Plastic Cleaner with pad and rubb it hard onto glass.
5. Clean glass with water and dry it
6. Use Rubbing Alcohol to clean the Windshield

Please let us know the results
Looking at the 6 steps above, I'll lose 10kilo as the result
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      01-28-2012, 08:34 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zzzzz View Post
Looking at the 6 steps above, I'll lose 10kilo as the result
ZZZZZZZZZ, You dont need to claybar whole car,just windshield and windows
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      01-29-2012, 04:27 PM   #19
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www.spot-x.com

Proven results....my Z4M roadster windows were water-spotted....used this product WITH the approved pad....100% success -

Works where others have failed.
Spot-X Glass Restorer is tough enough for your most stubborn hard water spots but safe for you and the environment. Finally a hard water stain cleaner that does not contain dangerous caustic acids.









Click Here if you need to remove
Hawaii's Volcanic VOG

Spot-X Glass Restorer removes water spots caused by mineral deposits, acid rain, salt water, well water, road grime, soap scum and sprinklers. We are so confident in our product that we offer a money back guarantee!
(*single unit purchase only)


Includes 1 FREE Non-Scratch Pad
Why Do You Need The
No-Scratch Pad?







Quote:
Originally Posted by zzzzz View Post
So far I've tried glass cleaner and it doesn't work.
I even tried gasoline and it took out some, but they came back a few days later. Very strange ...

I have it all over my two windows and the mirrors of my Z4. The winshield and rear window were replaced by the previous owner, so no rain spots on them.


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      01-30-2012, 09:07 AM   #20
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When my car was in Atlanta for a year, it had this residue that glass cleaner would not get out...guess the pollen was stuck....took a razor to it and it worked well....see if will help.
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      03-16-2012, 10:32 PM   #21
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@ zzzzzz

+1 for the Mineral Spirits route (worked for me in the past). Also, had success with Mother's Chrome Polish (no, really). But surprisingly no one's mentioned this yet. I recently came across and now just go with "nu-glass" http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-nu-glass.html (available at Napa Auto Parts and other places). This should solve your problems.

BTW, wouldn't recommend using anything on your mirrors. The chemicals in these products and the elbow grease necessary to work it's magic will not only munch on your water spots but feast on the silver reflective coating on the back side as dessert, leaving you a nice clean glass with a black backing. Much better to just replace that glass entirely (nothing like a minty-fresh glass mirror to look behind you with!)

Hope this helps.
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      03-16-2012, 10:55 PM   #22
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that acid rain is no joke
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