Compared to rust, tree sap, tar and other chemicals that contaminate your car’s paint, water spots may seem like no big deal, but in fact, they are just as harmful, if not more. You may not realize it, but water is full of contaminants, pollutants, and debris that can very easily damage your vehicle. We’re going to go over how water spots are caused, how you can prevent them, and how you can get rid of existing ones!

Types & Causes

In simple terms, a water spot occurs when contaminants in a droplet of water dry on your car’s surface, there are a few different types depending on what was in the water and how it dried. Here are the three different types of water spots:

Hard Water Spot:  These are the most common types of water spots and are sometimes known as “hard water spots.” Hard water spots are mineral or dirt deposits that lay on the surface of your car’s paint. They can occur when tap water, that is very rich in natural minerals, sits on your car’s surface for long periods of time. This happens when you wash your car with a hose and do not completely dry it off after, or when your parked car is being sprayed repeatedly by a nearby sprinkler system. When he drops dry, they turn into a dry-chalky substance that is difficult to remove.

Bonded Mineral: Bonded Mineral water spots are a little more severe than hard water spots. Bonded mineral water spots are caused by water droplets that have a higher concentration of minerals, which make them more difficult to remove. The minerals bond to the surface of the car and can sometimes even corrode to the clear coat of your car’s paint. Some can even leave small stains or make your car’s paint look dull even after removal. Bonded Mineral water spots are most commonly caused by acid rain with high amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids.

Etching: Etching water spots occur when water droplets dry onto your car from being heated by the sun. They are essentially “baked” onto your car’s surface. Etching water spots are the most difficult water spots to get rid of, and if handled the wrong way can cause major permanent damage to your car.

How can I get rid of water spots?

The difficulty of removing water spots ranges a lot.  Sometimes all you need is to run your car through a good carwash. We really want to stress the fact that you should go to a professional carwash instead of trying to wash them off yourself because washing your car on your own could be the reason you got them in the first place! Our professional carwashes have powerful blow dryers that will dry your car off better than anything else. And then, if you get out of the car wash and realize the spots are still there just ask one of our professional detailers! They’ll be able to tell you exactly what kind of water spots they are and how we can get rid of them.

Seeking out professional help is always the best answer when taking care of your vehicle. For the most stubborn water spots, water sanding may be necessary, and as we mentioned before, trying to do this yourself or finding some online hack to get rid of the spots could cause irreversible damage to your car.

How can I prevent water spots in the future?

The absolute best way you can protect your car from water spots is with a wax. A wax coating acts like a barrier that protects your car from all outside elements and contaminants. Here at Pro-Wash our clay bar treatment is our most bulletproof waxing service. The clay bar will thoroughly clean your car surface of any existing contaminants and then will continue to protect it from any new contaminants latching on in the future. No matter what touches your car’s surface, your paint will remain in clean, perfect condition underneath the wax layer.

If you have stubborn water spots on your car, come on in and let us take care of them. Or if you just want to give your car a little extra protection, come in and get a clay wax! This time of year is the perfect time to get one right before the harsh winter weather gets here! Call us at 603-964-7291 or schedule an appointment with us online!