Water drop marks? on roof of car.

Following on from the "who's got the shiniest car" thread I took my roof off this afternoon and took it into my workshop to see just how shiny I could get it before a marathon polishing session of the whole car at the weekend. Under the fluorescent(sp) lights I noticed that all over the roof are small marks as if drops of water have dried on the roof (never noticed these before in daylight).

I can't really tell if something has dried on the roof and left a residue or if something has eaten into the paint and left a slight dip. Either way nothing I used on it had any effect whatsoever.

Is this a common problem and is there any way to get rid?

Any help much appreciated.

Machine polishing will get rid of it easy.

Following on from the "who's got the shiniest car" thread I took my roof off this afternoon and took it into my workshop to see just how shiny I could get it before a marathon polishing session of the whole car at the weekend. Under the fluorescent(sp) lights I noticed that all over the roof are small marks as if drops of water have dried on the roof (never noticed these before in daylight).

 

I can't really tell if something has dried on the roof and left a residue or if something has eaten into the paint and left a slight dip. Either way nothing I used on it had any effect whatsoever.

 

Is this a common problem and is there any way to get rid?

 

Any help much appreciated.

Nope, it must be a white car thing! I have got the exact same thing which i noticed today when i got home from work lol...

Machine polishing will get rid of it easy.

Can I do that myself?

if so

What machine you suggest I get?

and

What is it??

i'm using Porter Cable orbital polisher with Sonus pads. Have a look here:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

Those guys knowledge about car detailing is HUGE and you can get some bargain PC with everything to save you hassle with importing something from US.

i'm using Porter Cable orbital polisher with Sonus pads. Have a look here:

 

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

 

Those guys knowledge about car detailing is HUGE and you can get some bargain PC with everything to save you hassle with importing something from US.

Thanks. I'll have a look.

could be tree sap or bird crap

watermarks yeah. but they just wipe off.

No idea what that could be.

could be tree sap or bird crap

Don't think so. I used clay bar, scratchx, and megs three step. That would normally take anything off. I think it must actually be dimples in the paint.

Don't think so. I used clay bar, scratchx, and megs three step. That would normally take anything off. I think it must actually be dimples in the paint.

Yeah, the acid in bird cr*p etches into the paintwork causing "dips" in the paint. May need wet sanding out.

Is this a common problem and is there any way to get rid?

The very easy way to remove water spots is simply to spray/apply white vinegar to the paintwork. Leave for 5/10 mins and then wash the car normally. Water spots will magically be gone.

Polishing will remove them but really you want to get rid of the water spots before claying and polishing.

From Autopia:

The same water you use to bathe your car can also damage your car's paint. The spots and damage are caused by the minerals in the water. When water evaporates off of your car's paint, it leaves behind the trace elements it contains. Calcium and metals are the most damaging ingredients found in your tap water. Rainwater may contain damaging acids from air pollutants.

 

Getting rid of water spots is easy if you chase after them. The best solution is to use a quick detailing spray after you wash, or as soon as you discover the spots (i.e., when your neighbor's sprinkler gets you).

 

If the spots are allowed to dry and bake on, they will attach to and harden on your paint. When this happens, you need to use a mild acid to get them loose. Believe it or not, the best acid is also the least expensive and most available: a gallon jug of distilled white vinegar.

 

Expert car detailers have known this secret for years. If you take your car to a pro, they will tell you about the "magic acid bath" and charge you $60 or more for the pleasure of smelling like a pickle. Save the $60. Put on some gloves and get to it.

 

To give your car the magic acid bath, first wash your car with your normal car shampoo, rinse, and then use the distilled vinegar. Just wipe it on with a sponge, and rub it in. Do one section at a time. Let it sit 30 to 60 seconds, and then rinse. When you're done, wash the car again with shampoo, and then rinse. By the way, vinegar will remove your wax, so be prepared to re-wax your car after the vinegar treatment.

 

If water spots are allowed to stay for more than a week or so, the minerals will etch the paint. In this case, using vinegar will remove the mineral spots, but the paint will have etched spots (dimples). It is necessary to use a polish or mild polishing compound to restore the paint surface.

For the record its caused by water drying to fast after washing and then the dried water droplets being waxed over making it v.hard to get off with soap and water.