i have a 2001 black 4runner. i have owned it just under a year and due to being away at college and then gone for the past 2 months to honduras i just waxed my car for the first time. i did all of the steps and procedures i have ever read. wash, clay, wash, polish, wax and my paint still looks like it has water spots all over it. is there a product i can use that will get rid of that or are they on for good?

 

hard water spots tips from autopia:


WATER SPOTS & SWIRL MARKS
I get a lot of questions from people regarding water spots and swirl marks. Water spots and swirl marks are different problems, but most often the solution is the same: polish the paint. I'll address each problem separately.

Water Spots
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.



Sprinklers showered this car with hard water. The car then sat in the sun for several days, causing the hard-water deposits to harden. Vinegar will remove the spots from the aluminum bumper, plastic taillights and rubber trim, but the paint will need to be polished and buffed with a buffer.


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.

 

Bob, i knew i could count on you. looks like i might be re washing and waxing some time very soon. i tend to be very picky

 

you could always spend a little cash, and get one of THESE I wanted one, untill I seen the price.

 

ric that is so strange, i was just gonna say get griots stuff!

i just revived my paint yesterday afternoon with it and it is great great stuff! ill post some pics soon

 

Radar alert, I heard the Griot's name

 

 

half vinegar half water solution. wash, dry and wax(inside the garage).