[Wmzorba09]

I wash my cheviot myself using a waterless wash Echo2O or Chem Guys (prefer Chem guys) less streaking - anyhow while washing this morning noticed these spots, couldn't get them out (vehicle is ceramic coated) - any idea what this could be?

[wtwo3]

Could be paint splatter. I had tiny spots of paint splatter on my Infiniti, and even detailing wouldn't fix it. If that's the case, you'll have to utilize something a bit more heavy duty, start with a claybar and see what certain detail shops might recommend to remove it.

[Burrcold]

Probably hard water spots. Mixed a little vinegar and warm water and spray it on a microfiber towel. Should come off with very little work.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Have you tried a clay bar? If clay bar doesn't work, carefully use a scratch remover or a light rubbing compound.

[Gdiddy23]

Won't a clay bar remove some of the ceramic coating tho?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Gdiddy23

Won't a clay bar remove some of the ceramic coating tho?

Nope, but you could mare the surface with a clay bar. You need to polish off ceramic coating if you really want to remove it.

Honestly to the original poster, try what I said...white vinegar diluted 50/50 with warm water. Spray on and gently wipe off with a microfiber towel. I'll bet the spots come off.

[E36 PWR]

I'd be weary of using the vinegar method on your ceramic coated car. While it's not going to ruin the coating, I'd use a method that is more PH neutral and therefore safer for the ceramic coating.

Method 1:
The least aggressive method would be to use a dedicated water spot remover such as CarPro Spotless. It is designed specifically to be less aggressive and more PH neutral for use on coated cars.

https://www.carpro-us.com/paint-deco...r-500ml-16-oz/

Afterwords, wash off the area with a PH neutral soap w/ no fillers. There are many products out there designed specifically for ceramic coatings. Carpro Reset soap is a good option but expensive, Chemical Guys Honeydew soap is a good cheaper alternative for regular washing. Essentially, you need to neutralize and wash away any acid on the paint after removing the water spots.

Dry the area and apply a Si02 based topcoat like Carpro Reload.


Method 2:
If chemical decontamination does not work, the spots can likely be removed with a very light clay bar. Use a dedicated clay lubricant as well.

https://www.carpro-us.com/paint-deco...clay-100-gram/

This will likely leave micro marring on the ceramic coating. This can easily be fixed by polishing with CarPro Essence Plus. Again, it was designed specifically for ceramic coatings. It contains no abrasives, and it will level/fill the micro-marring. This can be done by hand with a gloss polishing pad.

Method 3:
If the water spots are really bad, and etched into the paint, they will need to be polished out.

*No, I don't work for CarPro, i've just had good results with their products, and you can get everything you need in one place.

[Burrcold]

I've had ceramic coated cars for the better part of 10 years (8 different vehicles in that time) and have a sprinkler system that spews out hard water. Again vinegar diluted 50 percent on a small area like that will do nothing to the coating. I've used this solution on my entire windshield to remove very embedded water spots and the windshield still beads like crazy.

[Bobh59]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I've had ceramic coated cars for the better part of 10 years (8 different vehicles in that time) and have a sprinkler system that spews out hard water. Again vinegar diluted 50 percent on a small area like that will do nothing to the coating. I've used this solution on my entire windshield to remove very embedded water spots and the windshield still beads like crazy.

Agree 100%.

Plus CarPro does make a product designed to polish ceramic coatings called Essence Plus. 'Essence' is their polish/prep product used before applying a coating, and is an excellent product.