Griot’s Car Care Tip: Winning the water-spot battle
Water spots form when water dries on the surface of your car and leaves behind solid residue from minerals or environmental contaminants. More malicious water spots might even contain corrosive elements that can etch paint or glass if not dealt with properly. If this etching process is permitted to progress, water can produce a crater, which will allow it to pool, further compounding the damage. Summer is prime time for spots because water evaporates so quickly on warm surfaces.
Proper drying is a must. A simple cleaning will remove most basic water spots caused by dirt or minerals sitting on the surface. If the spots persist follow-up steps include cleaning clay and polishing. A good paint wax or sealant can also help make spot removal easier.
Sometimes hard water coming from your hose can be the harbinger of corrosive contaminants. Average tap water ranges anywhere from 140-400ppm total dissolved solids (TDS). Water is considered “hard” anywhere above 170ppm, so there’s a good chance you’re rinsing your car with hard water. You can measure this with a good TDS meter. Filtering solids out of your water with an inline softener/deionizer will prevent harmful particulates from sitting on your paint and glass. We highly suggest that you save your filter and only use it for the final rinse before drying.
Bringing the right products to bear will ensure that you are victorious in the ongoing struggle against nasty, damaging water spots!
