How to remove water stains from your car

Difficult to remove once dry, water can leave unsightly stains on the car body. However, there are several ways to remove these stains, including using white vinegar or a mixture of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids after washing your car. Regardless of the method you use, there are a few basic steps you can follow to remove water stains easily and keep your vehicle looking watermark-free.

• A warning: Hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid are chemicals that can be hazardous if mishandled.

Method 1 of 2: Using Hydrochloric and Hydrofluoric Acid

Necessary materials

• car polisher
• car wax
• Clean rags
• Gloves
• Hydrochloric acid/hydrofluoric acid mixture
• Respirator
• Protective glasses
• Soap and water
• Sprayer
• Towel
• water hose

Although dangerous if misused, solutions containing a mixture of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids (sometimes called hydrochloric acid) can easily remove water stains from your car body. By taking precautions and following some simple guidelines, you can achieve great looking paint on your car in no time.

• A warning: Hydrofluoric acid is hazardous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Be extremely careful when using this chemical.

Step 1: Wear protective gear. Wear appropriate protective equipment such as a respirator, goggles and gloves.

You should also avoid skin contact by wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers while using the substance.

Step 2: Spray Water Stains. Wearing appropriate protective gear, take the spray bottle containing the acid mixture and spray it on the area with water stains.

Another option is to spray the mixture onto the rag itself. This way you can avoid getting chemicals into areas you don't want to spray.

• A warning: Be careful not to get the acid solution on the auto glass as it may damage the glass. Spray the acid only on the affected areas or directly on the rag to remove water stains.

Step 3: Wash your car. Once you have removed all water stains from the car body, wash it thoroughly.

Use soap and water to completely remove any remaining traces of the chemical spray.

• Functions: When spraying the car, make sure that no chemicals come into contact with any of the glass sections, such as windows and mirrors of the car. This may require you to wipe the outside of the car with a rag instead of spraying it with a hose.

Step 4: Dry the car. Wipe the outside of the car thoroughly with a clean towel.

Remember to get into nooks and crannies, including around grills, windows, and other places where moisture likes to hide.

Step 5: Wax and polish the car. Most likely, the chemical spray removed the wax from your car body. This requires you to reapply the car wax and polish it with car polish.

Method 2 of 2: Using White Vinegar

Necessary materials

• Bottle of white vinegar
• car wax
• Clean rags
• Soap and water
• water hose

White vinegar, while not as harsh or dangerous as other sprays and chemicals, can help remove water stains from a car body. The use of white vinegar does not remove water stains that have become ingrained in the paint, although it does provide a solution for removing newly formed water stains.

• Functions: The best way to deal with water stains is to remove them before they dry. To that end, keep a clean rag in the car for just that purpose, wiping them down as they appear.

Step 1: Wash your car. To remove already dried watermarks, mix soap and water and wash the car body.

If you're at a car wash, consider spraying the pre-wash solution and letting it soak in for a few minutes.

• Functions: Grease-removing dish detergents can help remove dirt and water stains. They also provide a barrier to help prevent such accumulation in the future. Using such products will remove the wax from your car's exterior, requiring you to reapply it after washing and rinsing your car.

Step 2: Apply soap to the marked areas. Then lather the car body, wiping all areas with a clean rag. Rinse off the soap with clean water.

• Functions: When washing your car, start at the top and work your way down. This is especially important when rinsing the car, as the soap and water will naturally flow from the highest point of the car to the lowest point.

Step 3: Wash your car with a vinegar solution.. Using a mixture of water and white vinegar, wash the car body again.

Rinse well with water. This should remove any water stains from the outside of the car.

Step 4: Apply a layer of wax. Use car wax and car polish to reapply the wax to the car. At this point, you can buff out any remaining stains with a buffer wheel or a rag.

By using the methods provided, you can remove water stains from your car's exterior in no time. If you're still unable to remove the watermark, check with an experienced bodybuilder for other options.