You just washed your windows, yet you still notice tiny white-water spots on the glass. These are called smears, caused by dirt particles left behind after washing. Smears can be wiped away quickly if you use a clean cloth, but sometimes they remain even after cleaning. You may also notice white marks on your window when driving at night. These are called fogging, caused when water droplets condense on the surface of the glass. Fogging can be prevented by using an anti-fog coating.
When hard water evaporates on a surface such as a window, it leaves behind the minerals which dry and harden. The water spots are not very noticeable at first, but after a while, the deposits build up to create a thick whitish glaze. In the early stages, these deposits are easy to get off but after a while, the sun will bake these spots onto the glass, making them hard to remove.
These hard water spots can permanently damage your windows if nothing is done to address the problem. The reason? Glass is porous and susceptible to corrosion. We have previously discussed scratches on your classic car windows, and now let’s dive into the annoying water spot issue.
How do Water Spots Form on Windshields?
Hard water spots are caused when minerals in the water remain on the surface of your glassware after washing. These minerals cause the glass to become cloudy and opaque. If you wash your dishes regularly, you will eventually notice water spots on your auto glass. You may even see them on other surfaces like countertops and sinks. To avoid these water spots, you must wipe away any excess water before drying.
Hard water is caused when minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolve in water. These minerals can leave behind stains on your car’s windows, especially if you have a leaky gutter system. You can clean your windows yourself using a few simple solutions. First, let the window dry completely before washing it. Then, wash the window with warm water and soap. Use a soft cloth to remove any dirt or grime. Be careful not to scrub away the protective coating on the surface of the glass. If you notice streaks or bubbles, rinse the window again. Let the window air dry completely before driving.
You can use a glass treatment to keep your windows clear. Some manufacturers apply them to their products, while others sell them separately. You can also use glass sealants, rain repellents, and carnauba paste wax to achieve similar results. These solutions work wonders since they cause hard water to flow down the window instead of pooling up and forming water spots.
Mineral deposits usually cause water spots on your glass. These minerals come from rainwater that runs down the side of buildings and collects in gutters. If you wash your car with tap water, the minerals in the water get deposited onto the surface of your windshield. Water spots are not harmful to your vehicle but can be unsightly. You can remove them by washing the area with soap and warm water.
If you look at the window carefully, you’ll notice tiny spots all over the glass. These spots are the outlines of whatever shape the water formed when it hit the glass. The minerals are left behind as the water evaporates, forming a ring around the spot. Over time, the rings grow larger and larger until they eventually cover the entire surface of the window.
Types of Water Spots and Stains
Normal Spots
Typical water spots are sometimes formed whenever hard water leaves a mineral residue on the windows of your vehicle. These minerals are usually magnesium, calcium, or something similar.
Unfortunately, water from any source can cause these spots, including rainwater, sprinkler water, or even water from certain car wash services! Over time, the deposits of these minerals form sort of like line scale and end up causing a lasting water spot that doesn’t go away without significant treatment.
Etched Stains
Etched water stains are not caused by regular mineral deposits. Instead, these stains are caused when puddles or small pools of water are exposed to intense heat or high amounts of sunlight over long stretches. As the temperature of your car’s windows gets higher and higher, the water spots can eventually become “etched” into the glass. This is one of the reasons why it is important to thoroughly dry your vehicle after washing it – you really can’t just leave it out in the sun to dry.
Etched stains are among the most difficult to remove and may require professional help or abrasive removal techniques like wet sanding.
Mineral Stains
Mineral stains, also called bonded mineral stains, occur when rainwater with particularly corrosive or acidic elements hits the glass or body of your car. Acid or toxic rain can be caused by any number of things, and you can even suffer these kinds of stains if you get rained on in the vicinity of smoke from vehicle exhaust pipes or manufacturing plants.
They are like regular water stains in that they leave corrosive or toxic mineral deposits on the glass of your car. These minerals can eventually bond to the glass and become incredibly difficult to remove. Even worse, the minerals can corrode the glass over time, making them fragile and susceptible to shattering, or just making them look terrible.
Water Spot Remover Products
One way to remove water spots from your car windows is to use a “glass polish.” These products usually contain abrasives that will help clean your window. You can also try using an old toothbrush to scrub away the water spots.
Glass polish is the perfect polish for any glass. It removes all stains and spots, including fingerprints, coffee rings, and watermarks. It also works excellent on mirrors, windows, and even stainless steel!
The next step is to remove any stains or spots left behind by the previous cleaner. It will get rid of all the stubborn stains and spots. You need to follow the instructions carefully.
Vinegar
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions, which combine with hydrogen ions to form insoluble salts. These salts deposit onto surfaces and cause staining. Vinegar is an acidic liquid that will dissolve the salts, making them easier to remove. Mix equal parts of water and white distilled alcohol vinegar to get rid of the stains. Spray the mixture onto the stained area and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Wipe away any excess vinegar with a clean cloth. Repeat, as necessary.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is acidic and can help remove stubborn marks on your car windows. The juice works best when you apply it fresh. Squeeze the juice out of a lemon onto a clean cloth or paper towel. Then wipe down the window with a wet cloth or towel. If you are using a spray bottle, fill it with water and add a few drops of lemon juice. Spray the mixture onto the spot and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Wipe away any excess liquid with another dry cloth or paper towel.
Clay Bar
Clay bars are a proven method to remove any stain, including sand, sap, rubber, oils, and you guessed it…water spots. If the previous methods do not seem to work for you, you may need to try using a clay bar to get rid of your water spots. Clay bars come in many different forms, like rollers and pads. You can buy them at your local auto parts store, and again make sure to closely follow the instructions to avoid causing scratches to your windows.
Baking Soda Paste
Use a sponge to apply baking soda paste to the surface of your glass. Scrub the area thoroughly using circular motions. Rinse the glass with water and let it air dry. Use a paper towel to wipe down the glass and remove any remaining residue. Follow this step with a glass cleaner.
Essential Oils
Essential Oils are gaining in popularity for many reasons. Some people like the smell, others think they help with stress relief, and others claim they help with certain skin conditions. You might not have thought about using them to clean your car windows, but they work well! All you need is a small bottle of water mixed with a few drops of citrus essential oil. Apply the mixture to your windshield with a cloth or sponge. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before following up with a glass cleaning product.
Bar Keepers Friend
We recently got a bottle of powdered cleaner called Bar Keepers Friend and mixed it with a little bit of water to make a paste and then we used a clean microfiber towel to scrub it and rinse it. Once you have the desired consistency take a wet rag, wrap part of it around your hand, and dip a small portion of the rag into the solution. Take the rag and apply the solution to a small section of the window. Use a circular motion as you apply the solution, you will have to use some elbow grease and work the solution to get the hard water deposit to remove. You will continue to rub the solution in a circular motion and it should feel a bit gritty. The grit feel should help in removing the marks. Once you have a good film rubbed on, take a clean wet rag and wipe down the part that you just scrubbed with the solution. Then take a clean dry rag or shammy and dry off. This should result in no more hard water deposits on your vehicle.
Wax
Waxing a sloped glass window will keep raindrops from forming droplets on the surface. If you have a flat surface, then waxing will not help. Also, if you wax the surface, then you will need to clean the wax off the auto glass surface after you apply it.
Because many car washes these days offer wax treatments, substances like tar, sap, and watermarks will have less of a chance of sticking if the vehicle has a thin wax coating over it. Waxes are also great at protecting paint jobs from scratches and fading.
Finally
Water spots can be really annoying to get rid of, especially if they dot your car windows all over. But the good news is that you do not have to spend money on expensive water spot cleaning products or send your car to a full detailing service. Just use one of these easy remedies above and remember to combine them with a great glass cleaner and glass coating.
