Water Spots on Black Car: What Can You Do With Them?

Water spots on black car paint job are unsightly and can turn into rust spots if left unchecked. There are easy ways to stop these pesky watermarks from ruining your vehicle’s finish. In this blog, I’ll share with you all methods to get rid of and prevent them. Let read through.

What are Water Spots?

Water spots are the most common stain on car paint. They are caused by airborne water droplets that bounce off your car’s paint and land back onto the surface of the paint. Water spots can be a range of colors from yellow, brown to dark grey.

Why Water Spots Form on the Paint?

Water spots form from moisture in the atmosphere being attracted to the surface of your paint. The moisture then bonds with mineral dust and salt which becomes a compound that bonds to your black car’s finish.

What are Hard Water Spots?

Hard water spots are different from the water spots that we see on our cars. Hard water spots are not caused by rain, but rather by mineral deposits that have formed inside of your car’s body. This is a bigger issue when it comes to older cars because since their bodies are not made of metal like today’s vehicles, they can easily rust if you don’t take care of them properly.

What Causes Water Spots On Cars With Black Paint?

There are many causes that lead to water spots on black cars. Here are the most common ones:

Bad Car Wash Practice

Soap deposits on the painted surface can lead to a water spot. Because of the high-density soaping involved in car washing, some spots are more likely to result from this process. With that said, be sure to practice proper washing techniques and use products that are appropriate for your car.

Acidic Rain

Another cause of water spots is acidic rain. If you live near the ocean, you are aware of just how acidic its rain can be. It is no wonder that many cars with black paint suffer from water spots when driven on roads near the ocean. The acid acts as a catalyst for the water to react with the paint.

Dirty Water Splashes

Another cause of water spots is the residual water that we place on the car’s surface after washing it. If there is water splashed on the paint, it can lead to discoloration and dirt from the street. To prevent this, be sure to dry your car thoroughly after washing.

Check out: How to remove mold from your car’s exteriors?!

Poor Water Quality

The final cause of water spots on cars with black paint is poor quality water. Water collected in lakes and ponds is notorious for destroying car paint jobs when it falls as rain. This is due to higher amounts of minerals like sulfur and iron in these bodies of water.

What To Do When Water Spots Appear On Your Black Car

Now let face the truth that there are water spots on your black car, what to do now. If polishing pops up in your mind, please be patient. We don’t want to polish the car yet while there are other ways. I’ll present here the easiest way to the most aggressive way.

#1 Proper Washing

The first thing you want to try is to wash the car properly. I know it is quite obvious that you can wash the car well, but it is said many times that washing the car regularly and properly will reduce the chance to get water spots. After washing, make sure you dry the car thoroughly.

#2 Clean the Water Spots with Vinegar

After washing, if you still see water spots, it’s time to try this solution. Mix the distilled water with white vinegar with a 1:1 ratio. Vinegar is a kind of acid that can break through the minerals of water spots.

Find out: How to use Optimum No Rinse! Things to know!

Spray the solution to a microfiber cloth and rub them until they’re gone. After that, give the affected area a quick wash to remove any residue.

#3 Using Clay Bar

If the 2 methods have failed you, then it’s time to try using a clay bar. A clay bar can grab the water spots away from the surface of your paint job. The downside of this method is that it’s really hard to do, and results can be unpredictable.

A friend of mine told me that clay bar is a great remedy for water spots from rainwater and those on glass but not so much on paint. So with stubborn spots, we have to use the 4th method below.

Before using a clay bar, make sure the paint on your car isn’t recently waxed. Having wax on your car after using a clay bar can create a situation where you’re rubbing residue into your paint instead of removing it.

#4 Water Spot Remover Products

There are many water spot remover products available now. They are typically sprays that contain wax. You spray them on, wait for them to haze, then wipe them off. Follow up with another coat of your favorite wax and you’re good to go.

One of the most popular ways to remove water spots is by using “Mother’s” power dressing remove water spots and then follow up with your favorite carnauba wax.

#5 Polishing

After using any of the above methods, you’ll probably end up polishing. This will give your paint job a nice finish. I personally like Adam’s Polishes car wash and polish because it works well on my car and is very easy to use. I don’t mind paying a little extra for this product. There are many other products out there that are less expensive but just as effective, so find what works for you.

Some Don’ts on Remove Water Spots on Black Car

1. You may hear some home remedies to cure water spots but I do not favor them. Most of the time, they will create more problems instead of fixing them.
2. One more thing I wouldn’t suggest doing is 0000 steel wool. It will remove the water spots as well as the paint surface.
3. Do not use a razor blade to remove water spots on the paint but you can use it for water spots on the glass.

Preventing Water Spots on a Black Car

There are several things you can do to prevent and stop water spots from ruining your car’s paint:

1. Always use a drying towel to wipe away water spots before they dry. Polish products will only see them as a chance to reappear once more after they dry on your car. You will have better results if you take a drying towel and wipe the area first before applying products containing abrasives.
2. A great way to prevent water spots from appearing on black cars is ceramic coating. It is a chemical-free coating that resists water spots.
3. Waxing your car every month will help to prevent water spots from forming. Waxing also will keep the paint looking smooth and flawless for a long time.
4. Polishing has been shown to remove water spots, but you should always use the proper tools. When polishing, always try to avoid the hood and trunk area as well as metallic trim. A wax and polish for black paint is usually a good idea because it will help keep your paint looking sharp.

How To Wash A Black Car Without Water Spots

We have another black car that I will show you how to wash this time. Water spots on black cars are not easy to get rid of. They are not even easy to get rid of when you wash them properly. Therefore, here are some quick tips on how to wash a black car without water spots.

Here are the steps when washing a black car without water spots:

1. Wash with soap and sudsy water
2. Rinse it well
3. Spray the cleaner
4. Rinse it off
5. Dry it regularly

Frequently Asked Questions

#1 Can Water Spots Damage Car Paint?

Water spots on a black car will not cause any visible damage to the body or paint. But if you see water spots on your black car and you don’t clean it, they will etch to the clear coat.

Check out: The easiest car colors to keep clean! And the hardest ones!

#2 How Do I Get Hard Water Spots Off My Car?

Hard water spots on a black car are really hard to get rid of. The best way to get rid of hard water spots is to use a water spot remover product.

#3 What Is the Best Water Spot Remover for Cars?

Some examples are Meguiar’s Water Spot Remover, Chemical Guys Water Spot Remover and Adam’s Water Spot Remover.

#4 Does WD 40 Remove Water Spots?

WD 40 doesn’t remove water spots as well as many other car care products. WD 40 will, however, remove water spots from the glass. But I wouldn’t endorse using WD 40 on your car’s paint because it can leave behind a nasty residue.

Conclusion

To conclude, water spots on a black car can be a real pain. Fortunately, they aren’t that hard to remove if you stay persistent. Some of the methods described here will require some patience and time. So be willing to spend enough time with each method until your black car is free of water spots.

Whether you choose to use wax, a clay bar, or a water spot remover product, just remember that time is of the essence when dealing with water spots on your black car.