The Ultimate Guide to Removing Water Spots from your Car

Not many things are as annoying as seeing water spots left behind on your vehicle, especially if it’s recently been washed. Identifying the source of the problem is key to efficient cleaning and removal of water spots on your car. In this post, we’re listing methods that include prevention and treatment of water spots to ensure that you are left with a sparkling clean car each time. Read on to know more.

This blog has been updated on June 15, 2021.

Why do water spots appear on your car?

It’s important to understand the underlying causes as to why water spots appear on your car in the first place. In certain cases, it may be due to the fact that your vehicle was parked next to sprinklers, which left behind water droplets on the car. Water spots can also make their way to your car’s exterior during a rainstorm or during a car wash. What’s more, it can be tempting to ignore them – and we don’t blame you – you may be running short on time and besides, they’re just cosmetic and don’t really require your constant attention.

What makes things worrisome is that water spots are most often caused by hard water, which contains salts and other micropollutants. That’s why you see the spots in the first place – you’re looking at the dirt, grime, and minerals left behind when the water evaporates on your vehicle. Over time, this sort of debris can be devastating on your car’s exterior, and particularly so on the car’s clear coat. Water spots on glass windows can also damage the glass, so we’d highly recommend taking care of any water spots as and when you notice them.

Using household remedies to clean water spots from your car

If you find water stains on your vehicle and want to clean them quickly, you may be able to use things you already have at home. White vinegar, for example, is a common water spot remover. This is thanks to its low pH level, which makes it highly effective at removing minerals from hard water, which has a high pH level.

You’ll need to consider a few supplies if you intend to use vinegar to remove water spots or stains from your car’s body and windshield. Make sure you have these at the ready – white vinegar, a sponge, a bucket, distilled water, and a microfiber towel. Here’s how you can get started:

• Fill the bucket with equal proportions of distilled water and white vinegar
• Test out the solution on a small nondescript part of the car to check for any corrosion or damage
• Provided the solution does not eat away at your car’s exterior, apply away at the remaining sections, including the windshield
• Remember to allow the solution to sit on the surface for at least one minute before rinsing with clean water
• Don’t forget to pat the surface dry with a microfiber towel post the rinse
• Keep in mind that vinegar may dissolve wax and other sealants – you may have to apply a coat wax to your car after using it.

More Tips on How to Prevent Water Spots

You won’t need to waste any time cleaning water spots if you know how to avoid getting them in the first place! Way.com’s top-rated car wash experts recommend using these tips to ensure you’re always left with a shiny, clean car. Following these guidelines for a great car wash that will help avoid water spots on your vehicle:

• To begin, make sure you wash your car in a shaded area while it’s cool outside. Drying the car in direct sunshine can dry the water too quickly, creating those pesky spots on your vehicle
• Rinse the vehicle with the hose to remove any loose soil, gravel, or grime
• Use a high-quality car wash soap or cleaning solution
• Begin cleaning the wheels by dipping the cleaning mitt in your soap/car cleaner solution. Follow this up with a section-by-section wash of the vehicle, starting with the hood and moving on to other parts of the car
• Remember to spray down the whole vehicle with clean water to ensure it is completely rinsed
• Using a microfiber towel, dry each section of the car until it is thoroughly clean while being careful to not let the car air dry – this will almost always result in water spots!

Knowing how to clean water stains from your vehicle will help you keep it looking gleaming and fresh after a car wash. If you’re looking to eliminate water spots efficiently, look no further than a top-rated car wash near you. Websites and apps like Way.com are your best bet to finding professional car wash locations that won’t break the bank while leaving you with a gleaming car every single time. With over 10,000 locations available across the U.S., you’re never too far away from a Way.com car wash location! You stand to save even more by purchasing a Way.com Family Car Wash Pass – you’re sure to get the most bang for your buck thanks to Way’s multi-car use policy.

Websites and apps like Way.com offer professional and top-rated car wash services. Moreover, thanks to Way.com’s Carwash Voucher and Family Car Wash Pass that can be used on multiple (that’s right, multiple) vehicles, your friends and family can get in on all the sudsy action!

Read our blogs for information on the best airport parking and hourly parking spots near you and the most affordable insurance for your car.