Water Spot Removal (YES, Heavy Stains!)

DIY Safe Serious Water Spot Removal. Months of etching, & no polish. Learn how to remove water spots on your car paint & chrome fast.
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***Acid used in video is “Meguiars wheel Brightener”. However it is Discontinued***
Google Search "Wire Wheel Cleaner"
by Superior Products as a replacement option.
If you're in the Lakeland, FL area and crave a professional touch, call Alan at Highlands Auto Detailing:
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🌐 www.highlandsautodetailing.com
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#cardetailing #detailing #autodetailing
#detailing #diy #cardetailing

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Replacement recommendation for discontinued Meguiars wheel brightener to have similar results is “wire wheel cleaner” by superior products. Distributed by oreilly’s. Thanks for watching!

[@davidchang5230]

thank you

[@BarretKruse]

Thank you for covering basics on your channel. Obviously I have washed a car before, but I do it my way or the way I was taught by well intentioned people who were not professionals. I am discovering a lot od things I didn't know and many things I just plain out missed. This video is a good example of both! It is never presented in a "well, you should know that' way, not talking over our heads, and if it is something I know, I understand why the material is put there. Good stuff, thanks!

[@highlandsautodetailing]

You are very welcome! Im grateful for the thoughtful feedback, it means a lot! Im glad you see value in the content I’m providing. Thanks for watching!

[@LouieMiLLz]

This is the best video i watched on removing water spots!!!!

[@highlandsautodetailing]

I really appreciate the feedback, Im glad you liked it!

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Dilution Recommendation: Start at 1 part cleaner, 10 parts water on a test spot if you want to be cautious but the most effective will start at 1:4. If your feeling brave and 1:4 is not working, You can test a spot at 1:1. It is technically designed to be used on clear coated wheels at full strength as it says dilute-able up to 1:4 on the bottle. Just be careful and always start least aggressive!

[@recca7]

hey great vid! just wanted some clarification, you were soaking the acid in a clay towel or would a regular towel/shammy do the trick? And I read on another comment that your brand of tire cleaner has been discontinued. There is a Meguiar's Ultimate All Wheel/Rim Cleaner, would this be all right for the job?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Thanks for the feedback! I do not use a clay towel with the acid wash, just a microfiber towel. if it acid then yes, however I am not sure, because I have not tried it. If you are a diy enthusiast then you could try it, however purchasing products retail is not a financially wise choice for business. I recommend an acid from Superior Products for low cost bulk option. They have 2 options, one being “wire wheel cleaner”. Thanks for watching!

[@DanielCValot]

Will this work on windshield and glass in the car, my truck is 30 years old and it feels like oxidized paint and I was going to try mothers aluminum mag wheel cleaner. It’s a very light abrasive, but I’m interested in what you have to suggest here thank you for your video. It’s great

[@highlandsautodetailing]

On the outside yes, I would only do it if you have actual hard mineral spots though. Otherwise, just use something like dark fury as a pretreat, wash with soapy water and a mitt and rinse thoroughly. Then use an aggressive clay bar with proper lubrication and follow up with a machine polish. This is what I would do. Then you should have a way better appearance, potentially crystal clear glass if done thoroughly, properly and if your glass is not severely permanently etched by anything. Also, do not try this acid on the interior glass, it will damage interior surfaces. Thanks for watching, good luck!

[@justinweeks6306]

Thanks for the video. Should you do this before the detail, after, etc? And does it actually protect it for months to come or it will need to be reoccurring?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Your welcome! First you conduct your regular wash, iron decon and dry. Afterwards you inspect the paint and if you notice these spots, follow my video instructions. Thanks for watching!

[@justinweeks6306]

@@highlandsautodetailing got it. Thanks!

[@SLLLC-904]

Great video and skills!!!… What’s the dilution ration in the video or did you use it straight? Can you use it on glass also??

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Thanks you! 4:1 is what I used in the video with this specific product. The instructions say you can dilute it up to 4:1, which insinuates it can be used at full strength. However, I personally would never go stronger than a 1:1, it’s not necessary, and not worth the risk. And try 10:1 in a test spot if it makes you nervous. And yes, it can be used on glass, same process.

[@SLLLC-904]

@@highlandsautodetailing Awesome! Thanks for the tip… I will try the different ratios. You’re the best!

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Absolutely, you are welcome. Take care!

[@B4r15XSiempreHDS]

good video friend, what is the dilution

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Hey, thank you! You can start at 1 part cleaner, 10 parts water if you want to be cautious but the most effective will start at 1:4. If your feeling brave and 1:4 is not working, You can test a spot at 1:1. It is technically designed to be used on clear coated wheels at full strength as it says dilute-able up to 1:4 on the bottle. Thanks for watching!

[@AllRightsReservd]

Any suggestions for gel coat? (RV)

[@highlandsautodetailing]

I would assume you could use it on gel coat as well, but just google search acid wash for boats and RV’s and you’ll find something designed for it I believe. I do not work on anything but cars, so I would not be the best one to ask. Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@watuzi]

You show very clearly the steps and products to use to remove the stubborn water spots. Too bad I live in freaking California and therefore it is forbidden to get SP wire wheel cleaner.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

I appreciate the feedback! Thats unfortunate though… Sorry! Only option I would say is try Dark Fury Full strength carefully. However, there may be other options I am unaware of. I have not tried everything yet. Eventually I will probably find something and update the community. Good luck!

[@watuzi]

@@highlandsautodetailing Ok, I have Dark Fury and I will try your suggestion. Thank you

[@kevpkins1589]

Great video 👍👍

[@highlandsautodetailing]

I appreciate the feedback, thanks for watching!

[@26-CJ]

@@highlandsautodetailingthanks for the tip. Unfortunately it seems they have discontinued this product. What do we do now.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

@@26-CJ Absolutely, check out wire wheel cleaner by Superior products. It’s a similar acid cleaner you can substitute it with. Oreilly’s is a distributor.

[@26-CJ]

@@highlandsautodetailing thank you. Will this be safe to use on ceramic or even graphene coatings?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

@@26-CJ It depends on the strength of the coating and how good the application and curing process was handled. And if it is good, then it should be able to handle it, just make sure it is diluted properly and use it as one of your last resorts. It can reduce the lifespan of any protection to consistently use heavy cleaners, including coatings.

[@englap8146]

Have you tried using a non acid wheel cleaner ? Well maybe a good test for next video

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Great question. In the video, the 2nd cleaner I used was Dark Fury diluted 4:1, a non acid wheel cleaner that is very strong in comparison(Which removed a lot, but not all of the spots). I should have clarified that in the video. I definitely recommend trying a non acid cleaner first and inspect the results before stepping up your chemical to an acid. I appreciate the feedback!

[@jcap462]

will this work on vinyl wrap?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

I would only use wheel acid cleaners on clear coated surfaces, and glass is an exception if carefully used. Vinyl is not as simple to maintain and or correct unfortunately.

[@OccultDetective93]

@@highlandsautodetailingwhat about white water stains on vinyl trim, not vinyl PPF

[@christophermackin147]

I don’t see where you say what kind of acid you use for the last step. It’s not listed in your links that I can see.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Its Meguiars Wheel Brightener, however, its discontinued. So I provided an equivalent replacement option in the description. Superior Products “Wire Wheel Cleaner”. I just don’t have a link, simply google search it. Thanks for watching!

[@florinvoicufv]

So what did you use ?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

The chemical in this video is Meguiars Wheel Brightener. However its discontinued, so if you cannot find it, you need to find an alternative acid wheel cleaner(Multiple companies sell). However, check out Superior Products, theirs is called “wire wheel cleaner”.

[@chrisperrywv]

What about windshields and headlights?

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Yes you can, basically anything clear coated including headlights. Glass responds fine with it as well. Just keep it out of direct sunlight and do not let it dry before rinsing. Work small sections like a 1x1 or 2x2 and rinse thoroughly.

[@chrisperrywv]

@@highlandsautodetailing Thank you!

[@mrBDeye]

One way to not get water spots on clear coat paint is to not wash your vehicle if you are on well water. Water spots can be removed using CLR, a product available at any hardware store. Im very fortunate that my village has good quality city water.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Absolutely, I appreciate your perspective, feedback and suggestions!

[@wescat2]

Aside from zero PPE using acid why not try waterspot remover before going straight to acid? If you have waterspots on glass depending on which acid you use it's a bad expensive day.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Definitely agree proper ppe is a good idea. Never had an issue with glass, yet. Those water spot removers can work however they are not usually efficient like this method in my experience. If the risk is not worth it to you, just do what works for you. Nothing wrong with that. This is just my method. Thanks for watching!

[@fccquoter19]

What is your go to for water spots on glass?​@highlandsautodetailing

[@highlandsautodetailing]

@@fccquoter19 I use the same chemicals and same process in this video for glass. I start least aggressive first amd work my way up to an acid wash on glass. If it does not work, I will attempt to polish it out with a foam or wool pad with optimum hyper polish.

[@wescat2]

@@fccquoter19 Maniac Line or DIY Detail Waterspot Remover. I also use both to revive coatings. There are tons available, but I know these work well and are materials safe which the older I've gotten is important to me.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

They make mineral spot remover for this problem ...spray and dwell and wipe .

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Absolutely, however, it does not always work on really stubborn water spots in my experience.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

@@highlandsautodetailing Yes I found out I am wrong ....the scar from the water spot remains , the minerals are gone but not the scar that has imbedded in the clear .

[@highlandsautodetailing]

This is a true statement if it is not removed by the strongest chemical possible which is in most cases a wheel acid cleaner such as the one in this video. Dark fury is a very strong chemical also for removing minerals and various other contaminants. However, as you see in the video, it did not remove all of it like the wheel acid did. Maybe I will make a video in the future comparing one of those spray and wipe chemicals vs this method.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

@@highlandsautodetailing There has to be another way besides wheel acid ?

[@garycard1826]

Filming in Landscape mode would be better.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

You are so right, I appreciate the feedback. My recent videos are shot in Landscape mode now. Im aware my videos could use a lot of improvement actually lol.

[@garycard1826]

My new Tesla came with water marks, so this was helpful. Thank you.

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Im glad to hear that, you are welcome!

[@davidboyce6427]

Very nice job Sir🫡. Yep I subscribed today🫡

[@highlandsautodetailing]

Thank you!