paulmorgan

Water spots are ruining my front bumper - the first picture (slight potato clarity) shows the extent of the problem. The car has been left for 2 years in partial Californian sun using car washes to keep the car "clean enough". Now I'm back to using the car, I followed the following routine:

1. Wash, Claybar, Wash
2. Meiguars Paint Cleaner
3. Chemical Guys VSS

I dont have a DA so all by hand (that's what she said)

After failing to get the scratches out, tried ScratchX but no dice.

I think this looks like Type 2 water spots where it's etched into the paint and so feel like the next step is to wet sand 2000 grit and apply a clear coat.... is this too extreme? Should i try VSS with a DA or something more aggressive?


Water Spots
Close up of a water spotJust to prove the car does come up great otherwise...

Macro view of the car

proeagles

Looks like acid rain type spotting. Getting it out by hand will be near impossible. Needs to be professionally detailed with the right combo of polishes. Even then there may not be enough clear coat left to really fix it.

paulmorgan

Getting hold of a DA to see if I can gently polish this out.. but as you say, likely need more TLC. Thanks for the reply

Derf00

Keep in mind that even with a DA that damage may be too deep and has gone all the way through the clear. Judging by the way that last image of crinkly paint looks, I think the only way to fix it is to take it down to the base and spray a new clear. Try other methods first though. You may find that what you can get is good enough. Trying to sand down and respray is no guarantee you won't run into other, bigger problems.