For those of you who like to drive clean cars, I have just started using a product that has saved me a lot of aggravation when drying my black car and truck on warm days. I couldn't even get them wiped down before I had water spots. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread! Started using it on my new 2003 Monte Carlo. It is a product called Zymol Spray Detail. Just spray it on and wipe it off! Gets rid of the water spots, enhances the shine, and even makes it easier to remove the spots next time you wash. Kind of pricey, 6 something a bottle for 16 ounces, but well worth it!

I've been using Zaino, and their detailer for water spots on my black vette. For REALLY bad ones i'll break out the clay bar.

HOPEFULLY this spring the elky will be sporting fresh black paint, and i'll have to be worryin' about water spots on her too! http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/woeii//Smiles/fingersxed.gif

I use a California water blade so spots there not a problem. In fact I hardly ever use a towel to dry anymore.

Good idea! If you used one of them for all the broad expanses of sheet metal, then you would have more time to get the moisture out of the places it tends to collect. You know it spreads onto the paint if you started driving right away. When you get back you have water spots again.

Best way to prevent water spots is not to use water. Polish the car (I recommend System !) use a good carnuba wax and when it needs cleaning use one of the availible mist detailers (Meguilars is good). Try it and you will be surprised how easy it is to keep your car looking good.

Best way to prevent water spots is not to use water. Polish the car (I recommend System !) use a good carnuba wax and when it needs cleaning use one of the availible mist detailers (Meguilars is good). Try it and you will be surprised how easy it is to keep your car looking good.


All my cars get driven 365....rain or shine....so they get dirty. WAY too dirty for detailer or those "waterless" wash/polish products. Would LOVE to have at least ONE fair weather vehicle...but i like driving too much! :lol:

Do what I do---drive the wifes car in bad weather. Seriously, I can drive my car through pretty bad weather but because the surface is smooth and slick water and dirt doesn't stick and cleans up easily without water.

Maybe I'm strange, well hell I know I am strange but anyway... I like washing my cars. Its hard work and you have to do it in the morning or the late evening here in Texas in the summer otherwise its just too hot or too much sun. But it gives me a chance to inspect the body, paint and just work off some steam sometimes.

I don't think Car washes are any good for any vehicles. I'll do one from time to time for the Engine compartment or undercarriage but the body and interior all get taken care of at home in the shade. Its been told to me over and over again "Never wash a Hot car" and "Never wash a car in the direct sunlight" I believe that has a lot of common sense to it.

Water can be removed using a squeegee (California Water Blade) but I would rather use my Leaf Blower, it works great and it gets all the water from the cracks and crevices. That way if you drive it after then the chances of it running on to the paint from a seam or brake in the body panels is way less.

If it needs to be re-waxed or polished then I will use a Dishwashing liquid like "Joy" or something pretty mild when washing otherwise I'll use a Car wash detergent like Maguire's. It takes off the wax and any oil or grease that has accumulated since last time. Then do the polish (if needed) and then Wax 2 coats most of the time. Sometimes I'll lay down only one if its getting late and the temp is going up really fast. I finish with a good hand glaze.

Very simple...

Keep your car waxed.

Wash & dry your car in the shade of possible.

After wash undo sprayer on end of hose and let the water shed or pour easy over all the surfaces starting at the top. You will be surprised how much water does not sit on your car by doing this simple task. So easy to dry your car now....no standing bubbles at all.

Do not let your car sit next to the sprinklers during the hot summers.

Hey has anybody tried that Spray & wash thing that hooks up to your hose and you dont even have to dry the car off? Saw a commercial and I am VERY skeptical.

-Luke

I know a guy that tried it or something like it. It's just a gimick. There is no substiute for bucket, rag & soup. Then wax every once in a while.

My cousin who is a clean freak fanatic uses Eagle 1 Wax as You Dry and is very pleased with it. He has a black BMW (1988) that spends its life outdoors and I can tell you it looks great and water beads off it like a good wax job. He also uses it on his 1962 Corvette street rod and 2003 Mini. I haven't used it yet because I don't like to use water on my cars if I can avoid it. I keep my cars polished and waxed which makes it easy to clean with a mist detailer. I did buy a bottle and am planning on using it on the wife's van.

I tried the Mr Clean Auto Dry Car Wash system. It worked better than I imagined it would with absolutely no manual drying. The kit costs less than $20.00. I thought it was a good investment.

I have talked to several people who have used that Mr Clean system and they all had good things to say. My concern is how long does the special filter last--if you can only get 1 or 2 washes it might be too expensive. No body I talked to have used it more than 1 time.

I bought mine about 3 months ago and use it twice a week, works great and the filter has not needed to be changed. I have a filter on my kitchen sink and lasted 2 years and the filter looks just like the one in the Mr Clean. Works great and you still will have some water spots that can be wiped off very easily, not like washing with the hard water out of the hose.

[color=black]A lot of good ideas. I have a black and grey 86 SS. The area I live in has hard water and I previously had water spots after washing my truck , I found installing a water softner not only improved my household water but helped the water spot problems when washing my vehicles. As well I use a leaf blower for dryingt

I saw a guy using the leaf blower method today drying his bike off. I question whether the air is blowing crap all over it since it was a suck/blow leaf machine. :lol:

Check this (http://www.pwgazette.com/gardenhosefilters.htm) out. I have one and have totally eliminated water spots. The Mr. Clean uses a PUR water filter to filter impurities, that is why it works. Problem is that they don';t last long so it is cheaper to go for the outside filter from these guys.

I also use the leaf blower method followed by a once over with the towel.

LeoC2 wrote:Check this out. I have one and have totally eliminated water spots.

What a great tip. Thanks Leo. I'm going to have to check out that filter for next spring.

You know, we should have a specific "forum" section for "Detailing tips". Besides Leo, I know there are other members who are in the professional detailing industry. Their advise, tips, and tricks are invaluable. Just a thought....

Great Idea!

I saw a guy using the leaf blower method today drying his bike off. I question whether the air is blowing crap all over it since it was a suck/blow leaf machine. :lol:

After washing, I like to use a real leather chamois. If you've never used them before, the trick is to actually get it soaking wet first. Then wring it out, and start drying. The first couple passes will be like the water blade idea. Wring it out, and continue with the drying process. You'll be able to dry your car with a single "wet" chamois, with no water spots. If you get one, get a really big, NATURAL one. It's worth the money, 'cause you'll use it over and over. (I keep one in my glove box)

I also like the leaf blower idea, but I use it on my INTERIOR! Yep, before it get out the shop vac, I open up both doors, and hit it with the leaf blower! You would be AMAZED at all the crap that comes flying out, that you would probably either miss, or spend hours trying to get with a vac. I discovered this when I borrowed a friends car. She had a dog, and hair was everywhere. I tried to vaccuum it, but the dog hair clung to the carpet and cloth seats. Out of desparation, I grabbed the leaf blower, and POOF!

Try it, you'll be hooked.