I have a 2024 Mustang Dark Horse after a wash my Vinyl stripes were hard water spotted on one side. Has anyone experienced that issue?

[dusman59]

Here in AZ.

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[rbuike]

Apply a coating like Halov2 from Gtechniq. It's about $75 and is like cermaic coating for vinyl decals.

 

[rawstang]

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Here in AZ.

Looks like an Arizona thing.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

There is just this whole world of chemical products out there that I am only learning about from seeing recommendations on this forum.

 

[White Stallion 11]

Agree pretty much with all that has been said. I have fabricated vinyl stipes on mine (Avery) and, being that I have a convertible, I never wash it--it only comes out under blue skies and sunshine. I just wipe it down after driving it with McGuire's Ultimate Detailer.

When travelling, I have sometimes encountered rain and other road/vehicle sprays that have left spots on the stripes that will not come off with any type of solution, So, as for years, when I encounter this situation, I have found that straight 91% Isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth removes the spots very quickly without doing any damage, discoloration or fading of the vinyl.

For what it's worth.

RJ

 

[LouG]

My Makita battery pressure washer can draw water from a container and is perfect for using osmosis water.
They're actually useful for light cleaning when you don't want to faff around with Karchers and such.

 

[bountifulgoose]

Never had that problem when i had stripes. Ended up taking em off 6 months ago any way-

 

[DFB5.0]

These are water-spots, which are caused as water rapidly evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposit. Prevention is far better than the cure, otherwise you need to act quickly as the longer these minerals are left, the more likely they will etch into the finish (paint, glass and vinyl).

Treatment -

- If attended to within a few days, you can often get away with a simple wipe down using a quick detailer or water-less wash.

- However, you may need to progress to a water-spot remover. These help neutralize the minerals. Even if you still have visible spots after using a water-spot remover, it's still a crucial step to avoid the spots from reoccurring as the material surface heats up and draws the minerals back to the top. Always neutralize a water-spot after use using water or a QD.

- If you still have visible spots, then you will need to polish them out. Yes, vinyl can be lightly polished.

Prevention -

- Avoid washing in the sun or excessively hot conditions.

- Dry your car ASAP! A leaf blower can help quickly remove standing water, then follow with towel to mop up the rest.

- Water filtration in the form deionization removes dissolved minerals (TDS). Unless you have extremely high TDS, if you follow the above precautions, filtration is not really needed.

- Protecting the surface may help reduce the severity of water spots, but not always completely eliminate the possibility.

- A ceramic coating would be the ultimate protection, but a spray sealant is an option as well. I really like Carpro Reload for this as it provides high UV protection and enhances without creating gloss on matte finishes like this. A ceramic coating will last between 1 and 3 years depending on the product. Reload would give 2 - 3 months.

- DO NOT use a trim dressing on stripes such as 303 or Perl. Nothing against those products, but they are inappropriate here. Being water based, it will be removed when it rains or at the next wash, thus requiring more frequent applications, which means more contact, more "love marks" over time. You may also get the dressing leaching onto the paint, which isn't a good look. In any case, a trim dressing will do absolutely nothing to prevent water-spots.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Leaf blowers just blow fine dust all over your car. Years down the road your going to wonder where you got all the micro scratches from.

If you must use a hose on your car, spray it with a detail spray or risnless wax while wet. THEN dry it with a towel. You will not get water spots and have a clean surface to dry.

 

[DFB5.0]

Leaf blowers just blow fine dust all over your car. Years down the road your going to wonder where you got all the micro scratches from.

If you must use a hose on your car, spray it with a detail spray or risnless wax while wet. THEN dry it with a towel. You will not get water spots and have a clean surface to dry.

Wow, I did not know that! I guess that's where all those scratches came from.

 

[DFB5.0]

 

[friscoaggie]

My car is yellow right now.


Pollen.

Same, going to clean it today.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Most people dont use a dedicated blower in a clean enclosed garage. If you do then great! I was speaking to the people doing it in their driveway with the leaf blower they use for yard work.

 

[UK-DH]

You want this. Its for vinyl decals and wraps. Doesn't make matte surfaces glossy and has UV protection. Ive used it and it works great on decal water spots

I use this as well on my bonnet strips, after the wash,dry and wax, excellent stuff

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