Removing Water Spots and Sap Residue from Paint

you need a claybar treatment. that will remove all hard waterspots and contaminants from your paint surface and leave it feeling smooth as silk.

 

Vinegar is supposed to remove water spots, if they haven't set in. I would try that. You'll have to reapply wax afterwards.

 

I've used Goo Gone to get tree sap off the car, then washed the car immediately afterward with Meguiar's soap as I'm not sure what Goo Gone would do if left for a while on the paint.

I wouldn't use windex or lemon pledge on paint

I also agree with the clay bar treatment.

 

Any parts store will have a clay bar kit and it has instructions. Be prepared to spend a few quality hours getting it finished.

 

There may be some info to glean in here:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/detailing-showroom/411137-how-do-you-remove-water-spots-engine-compartment-panels.html

 

For the tree sap go to an automtive paint store and get adhesive remover. 3M used to make great stuff called all-purpose adhesive remover but it got outlawed because of the noxious fumes. tell the counterman that is what you are looking for and he will sell you the new equivalent. (I supect it is the same fumes but since it is manufactured in china it's OK)

 

I wipe the paint (and the chrome) with top coat wax, like the stuff that sprays out of an applicator bottle, it takes out the spots and covers the paint. Windex will remove any protective wax that you might have previously applied.

john

 

Not long ago I went to a Ferrari event and we were all asked to park under a row of trees. Soon my entire car was covered with tiny drops of sap. Naturally, I thought I would be in for hours of cleaning. I washed the car the next day and to my amazement and to my great relief, the sap was water soluble. The sap came right off with normal washing.

So, give that a try before you launch into some solvent based removal system.

Full disclosure: I live in Italy, so it's possible that when the trees were planted, they were specially selected with Ferrari's in mind.

 

Instead of clay bar try nanoskin on a DA polisher. Way faster and great results.

 

Most places sell bug and tar remover. Its great for tree sap as well as dissolving bugs on the front end, even if they have been dried on! As for clay bars, they are great too, but you will have to re-apply your wax or sealant after claying.

 

I just got this product but have not had a chance to use it yet. It is apparently replacing clay even with professional detailers.

 

Try Klasse (red bottle).

 

Mayonaise

 

It is important to understand that there are two stages of water spots. Type I are typical and may be removed with a light polish. Proper maintenance or simply not allowing water to dry on the vehicle will prevent this from occurring in the first place. Use microfiber towels when drying your vehicle.

Type II Water Spots form when the minerals in hard water from sprinklers at the country club etch into the paint/glass. To remove these stubborn, annoying stains, requires the professional use a poisonous chemical prior to the polish stage.

 

I find Dri Wash n Guard removes water spots easily and effectively


DRI WASH 'n GUARD Waterless Car Wash: The Original Dry Wash!

Chris