Detailing experts - etched water spots, HELP!

[helement2003]

So I've got a brand new Deep Black Metallic GTI with some water spots. I realized this when I brought it home and got it under my 3 x 100w CFL's in the garage. I don't notice anything in bright sunlight...but under artificial light, WOW. I don't believe these spots are from them washing the car. I've had them run the R32 through the wash when it's been in for service (when I forget to tell them not to wash it), and they do a very good job of drying the car. I believe this is from rain. Car sitting out in the hot Vegas sun and it's hit by a typical light sprinkle which they don't dry off at the dealer.

So I was planning on buying a DA/Porter Cable setup anyway, all the more reason to get one now.

What pads would you recommend I get for the water spots, as well some fine clear coat scratches on the R32 (not pictured)?

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

Pictures (click for much larger versions)...FYI the car is a bit dusty in the photos, but the spots are very apparent:

http://i.imgur.com/xVV4r.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/NsduE.jpg

[Jesstzn]

Can you feel those with your fingernail?

[helement2003]

Can you feel those with your fingernail?

Not at all. Actually ended up testing a bit of Scratch X 2.0 on the spoiler, took them out with minimal effort.

[Jesstzn]

I'd even try white vinegar

[helement2003]

I'd even try white vinegar

Actually tried that. It may have helped ever so slightly. Still definite marks after that.

Any suggestions on pads for a PC for something like this?

[Jesstzn]

Orange pad with scratchX

[JETTAWOLFS98]

I have the same problem after the car was parked for a weekend at the airport parking lot. After washing the car, I use the meguiars cleaner wax and then the mother synthetic wax but some water marks are still in the hood.
I'm trying the vinegar.

[pwaug]

Recently went through this with my wife's new black golf. It had been sitting outside for a couple of weeks after the protective wrap was removed before we purchased it and there were a dozen or so water marks on the hood and roof.

As I understand it you have to neutralize the etching first then polish out the stain. I put a piece of surgical gauze on each spot then soaked it with 50/50 white vinegar and water, then polished out with HD Polish on a yellow B& S pad.

Worked great and they haven't returned.

See the results here on the hood shots: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...rite-LSP-Combo

[pwaug]

Here is a short article about how to remove these spots: http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...ily-08-22-2012

[Shawn O]

Just dealt with this on my new Sportwagen. Tried vinegar right away and it did nothing. Then I tried Scratch-X on a test spot and it did little to nothing. Tried M205 with a white pad on my PC 7424XP and it helped a bit but I didn't want to spend a whole day on the car.

I went to M105 with another white pad and it took them all off in very short order. No swirl marks created or anything. I think I could have left it at that and waxed from there but I went back to M205 and a blue pad to finish it off.

[JETTAWOLFS98]

Excuse my ignorance, What exactly is m105 and M205?


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[Shawn O]

[helement2003]

So to bring a few more answers to my thread here...

Like I said before, I hand polished/applied Scratch X 2.0 with a foam applicator. This took out all the water spots on the roof that wouldn't come off with vinegar, etc.

In the meantime, I had ordered a Griot's Garage DA polisher. I hit the hood with an orange foam pad and Machine Polish 3, which took out all the water spots. Looks great and was SUPER easy No need for cutting!

[JETTAWOLFS98]

Thank You. I will try to. find it.