I've used Meguiars, Tech Wax, Black Magic Synthetic, Turtle Wax, etc and no matter what, after ANY rain, there will be nasty water spots that take a lot of rubbing or even a swirl remover to get it out of the paint/wax.

Currently my car cannot sit in my garage, which it will be this way until next spring or so. It'll be stored indoors this winter, but for the time being I really need to come up with a solution ASAP, as it's killing me and I'm far too **** to overlook the water spots other people won't be able to see.

Can anyone with detailing experience PLEASE give me some idea's on what I can do.

I do not like car covers as I don't always have time to dust/clean the car before putting on the cover.

 

Well- this may sound really dumb, but I have used it in the past with huge success in a situation very similar to yours.

I used to take WD-40 after washing my car- and while it was still wet, misting a LIGHT coat over the hood/trunk areas.

I would then take a cloth and dry the car as normal-leaving a very light "film" of WD behind. Rain water would literally pour off the flat areas and the protection was good for at least 2-3 weeks.

I know it sounds crazy- but I did it on a brand new 58,000 dollar Vette I owned that had to sit outside while my house was being remodeled.

It didn't harm the paint, and I never got any etching or acid rain marks in the clear.

It will attract dust- but spraying a mixture of 50/50 Ivory soap and water on the hood/trunk before rinsing it off will remove the dust and WD-40 so you can wash as normal.

 

Have you tried putting on a sealant? Since your car is black it will difficult not getting water spots. They bake into the paint so easy. My suggestion is to put a good sealant on the car. Sealants are a lot more durable than waxes. Also I would apply it more often than you usually would.

 

WD-40?

I can see how that would work, and I recall getting it on the paint before and I couldn't see it easily, sure made the car look glossy LOL. However, I am extremely **** about streaks/smears etc on the paint of my car & I will look at it from all sorts of angles to make sure I missed NOTHING.

As for a sealant, I like the sound of that. I know nothing of these, so any help about Sealants you could provide would be really appreciated.

Like you said, I can wax my car, next morning the dew will collect in spots and etch into the paint before I can get to it.

Also, I've not experimented much with car wash (soap), I've tried a couple brands (can't recall the name) and nothing sheets off and regardless of how fresh my wax is, it's all very very streaky & filmy when I dry it in the shade or in light sun. After I'm done drying the car the best I can, there is film/streaks all over it and I will use a detailer very very lightly with a new & completely dry microfiber cloth and wipe everything up very fast to remove the streaks from washing and to make sure the detailer doesn't leave streaks.

UGH! I know this is the nature of the beast with the color black, but I just don't recall having some of these cleaning issues when I initially bought the car & got it home.

 

A sealant actually bonds to the car. I wax just basically sits on top. A lot of customers are now having me putting on sealant instead of wax. I normal wax last only 2-3 months depending on conditions. A sealant can last up to 6 months. It goes on just like a wax and comes off easy too with no residue. Checkout my website at www.obsessivedetail.com. It has the products and product descriptions on there. I've got a pure sealant EX-P and a sealant with carnuba EX. On the link sections it has a couple very informative detailing sites. They talk about sealants on them as well.

 

Well- I didn't realize you wanted the car to look freshly detailed every morning. LOL

Its either live with the spots, find something that works, or go ignore the streaking the WD40 leaves behind until you get a suitable cover or garage for the car.

 

I don't mind using a detail spray at all before I take the car out for a ride. It's no big deal at all...

It just sucks when a 10 minute detail spraying job turns into a 45 minute wash, literally scrub dry and then swirl remover/wax for any water spot that won't come out.

 

I'm a little curious about where you live -- are we talking acid rain?

How often do you wax?

Ever do a quickie spray wax after washing in the interim?

What color's your car?

 

Hey,

Mine is a BLACK 98 GT, and I have the same exact issue. I use good products, no dish washing liquid, to wash, then a swirl remover, then wax. It looks brand new when I am done. The next morning BAM spots everywhere. I think its the color more than any thing. I guess I'll try a sealant next. Thanks for the info

 

A major problem with any dark color such as black is that it shows everything.

Another major problem is that it gets very hot, very quickly... if you've had a rain, and it gets warm suddenly, those water drops act like magnifying glasses and water can effectively boil on top of the paint, leaving the etching.

A quick rinse (if possible) and a gentle wipe-down with a plush microfiber or two after a rain or dewy night is probably not a bad idea.