Water Spot On Glass Removal - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

BC GTA · 05-04-2009, 03:26 PM

I finally got rid of some stubborn water/acid rain marks on the front windshield, rear hatch glass and T-Tops and thought I would pass along my experience for everyone’s benefit.

I had noticed these marks on the glass for several years and tried many difference substance including bleach, ammonia, solvent, gasoline, Armor All, WD 40 and several other items to no avail. In the past, before I owned this car, I lived in an area with hard water and they look like those calcium spots.

Since I have owned this car I have lived in an area with very soft water and clean air so when a local glass shop explain these may be due to acid rain I was surprised. However, road grim can get on the windows and when it rains cause these spots. You could not feel the rain spots with your thumb nail; however, they were very visible.

Then one day I noticed the spots had been removed where the windshield wipers swept the front windshield so I knew these spots could be removed.

I tried some Meguiars 4 Heavy-Cut Cleaner on a small portion and rubbed it hard with my fingers. To my surprise there was a noticeable removal of the spots. Then I got my Meguiars 4 inch foam pad and inserted it into my variable speed drill and began working the windshields. I used a low speed setting, as a friend in the car detailing business had showed me, and it produced significant spot removal.

Then I went to my local auto supply store and discussed this with the store manager who had some expertise in this subject. He was aghast at the use of Meguiars 4 as he thought it was too coarse. I took him out to the parking lot and show that it did not leave any marks in the glass or the Lexmar T-Top coatings. However, he put me on to a product called No Touch Auto Glass Stripper which I used. It worked but not quite as good as the Meguiars 4.

I went back to the Meguiars 4 for the third attempt and used a high speed with the drill. This resulted in the best results and about 95% of the marks are not gone. I will give it one more attempt with the Meguiars 4 which should get the remaining marks. I made sure to keep the pad moving over the glass at high speeds.

When doing this you need to first clean the windows to ensure a clean surface so that there is no grit to grind into the glass. You may first want to test a very small corner of your glass before doing this. The liquid compound will spray a bit, especially with the drill at high speeds, so you will need to wear old cloths and thoroughly wash your car afterwards. My Lexmar T-Top coatings had broken down some and the Meguires 4 stripped off some areas so I would not recommend using it with these T-Tops. The No Touch was somewhat better for the T-Tops as it was not as coarse a substance. Neither product removed scratches.

The result is a crystal clear glass to look through and the front windshield wipers seem to work better now. I was amazed at the results in my rear hatch glass.

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91_z28_guy · 05-04-2009, 03:29 PM

Try steel wool i use it all the time. It works wonders!!!

87CIZ · 05-05-2009, 10:06 AM

ever tried vinegar? it breaks down calcium and gets rid of water spots

BC GTA · 05-05-2009, 03:06 PM

Yes I tried vinegar but these were not calcium deposits. I have used vinegar before when I lived in a place that had hard water.