# Water stains on car paint and windows

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 6, 2011, 7:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260 "2011-06-06T07:37:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jrivera64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@jrivera64](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jrivera64)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260/1 "2011-06-06T07:37:00Z")

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I made a huge mistake: For a long time I parked my black 2001 Honda Civic outside where it got spayed by lawn sprinklers. I also neglected to wash it frequently. Now it is completely covered with incredibly stubborn water stains. I tried washing, scrubbing, rubbing compound and lots and lots of vinegar and made hardly any progress. It’s driving me nuts! Any other suggestions short of having it repainted? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260/2 "2011-06-06T12:29:49Z")

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Usually a clay bar would do the trick (with a lot of elbow grease), but rubbing compound is actually more abrasive, so I don’t know what to say if that didn’t work. Maybe you should see what a good body shop would recommend here.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260/3 "2011-06-06T13:56:11Z")

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If the claybar doesn’t work…then try a polishing compound…

To prevent this…try waxing it every now and then.

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**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260/4 "2011-06-06T14:44:05Z")

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are they stains, or is the paint burned? Water droplets can focus the sunlight like a magnifying glass and cause it to burn the paint over time.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-stains-on-car-paint-and-windows/65260/5 "2011-06-06T16:40:12Z")

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Since the water stains are on the glass as well as the finish they’re probably etched in.

A good body shop followed by a good wax job may be in order here, although the glass is probably permanently spotted. A detailing shop might be another option. Stop by and see what they say.

Trying to buff his out yourself may not be advisable. Generally a novice with a buffer results in swirls.