[ArmyNurseRN]

Of course, after I spent what seemed like forever cleaning my car in the brutal El Paso heat did I realize my shammy was lost. All my work ended up in a dark car covered in hard water spots.

So, here's a homemade alternative to expensive glass and surface cleaners with harsh chemicals.

Mix 3:1 water to vinegar and you have a potent glass cleaner/hard water spot remover. And as a bonus, it's also a potent disinfectant and fruit/veggie cleaner!

[exE36M3]

Nice! Yeah, I think the first time I saw that on my cosmos-black E36 M3 I about cried!
(Sprinklers at the office).

Vinegar (followed by a wax) saves the day!

[HarryTee]

What type of vinegar is best for this job?

[ArmyNurseRN]

Originally Posted by HarryTee

What type of vinegar is best for this job?

Ordinary distilled, white vinegar.

Unless you like your car smelling like salad dressing, then you can go with the red wine vinegar.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by ArmyNurseRN

Ordinary distilled, white vinegar.

Unless you like your car smelling like salad dressing, then you can go with the red wine vinegar.

apple cider works too!

hope you have shade to wash your car. tx heat sucks! I use to live in San Angelo

[BashShah]

so that's 3 Part Vinegar and 1 Part Water?

and you spray it directly on the surface or on a Microfiber cloth first?
and how much rubbing is recommended?

[ArmyNurseRN]

Originally Posted by BashShah

so that's 3 Part Vinegar and 1 Part Water?

and you spray it directly on the surface or on a Microfiber cloth first?
and how much rubbing is recommended?

I must have mistyped it the first time. It's 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar. I fixed it now. Spray it directly on the surface. There is almost no rubbing required--generally, the acetic acid breaks down the hard water spots chemically without much mechanical effort. However, there may be some harder spots may need multiple sprays and wipes, especially if you have very hard water, like I do.

[Fredo]

I will try this on my Melbourne Red Metallic. I started to notice more of those spots after ceramic coating was applied. In the future, I will just use a good sealant.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by ArmyNurseRN

Of course, after I spent what seemed like forever cleaning my car in the brutal El Paso heat did I realize my shammy was lost. All my work ended up in a dark car covered in hard water spots.

So, here's a homemade alternative to expensive glass and surface cleaners with harsh chemicals.

Mix 3:1 water to vinegar and you have a potent glass cleaner/hard water spot remover. And as a bonus, it's also a potent disinfectant and fruit/veggie cleaner!

Your hard water is doing a lot worse than putting spots on you paint job. Get a water softener system.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Your hard water is doing a lot worse than putting spots on you paint job. Get a water softener system.

Most outside lines are just that... outside. Installing a water softener system would normally be after that tap.

There are shampoo/spray systems that can help with this, but the final rinse is the final rinse.

Good job ArmyNurseRN! Looks good

[ArmyNurseRN]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Your hard water is doing a lot worse than putting spots on you paint job. Get a water softener system.

We live in Army housing. Not an option. Just have to deal with it.

[Billfitz]

When I do a full wash I use Optimum No Rinse, in between full washes I use Trinova waterless spray and wax. Neither leave any spots, and they enhance the water shedding of my sealant.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by deviantspeed

Most outside lines are just that... outside. Installing a water softener system would normally be after that tap.

There are shampoo/spray systems that can help with this, but the final rinse is the final rinse.

Good job ArmyNurseRN! Looks good

Get this and a short hose to help
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

When I do a full wash I use Optimum No Rinse, in between full washes I use Trinova waterless spray and wax. Neither leave any spots, and they enhance the water shedding of my sealant.

Off topic but you shouldn't use wax on top on sealant.. I also use ONR and chemical guys waterless wash in between.. sealant safe and no wax..

[ArmyNurseRN]

Originally Posted by danikorea

Just curious, does your car smell sour after this?...

Negative. The smell is gone within seconds of it evaporating. I suppose if you got really close and took a whiff you might notice it, but not with typical use.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Off topic but you shouldn't use wax on top on sealant..

Trinova isn't a traditional wax. They call it that for marketing purposes. I can tell by the smell that it is similar chemically to ONR and the Jescar Power Lock sealant I use. I believe the active hydrophobic ingredient in all three is fluorine, which has been used in ski wax for 30 years. Fluorocarbon wax essentially creates a moisture and dirt-repelling barrier between the ski base and the snow. I bet some skier tried it on his car, saw how water beaded and that was the beginning.

[CrumbyButter]

I've done this before, works great. I park in a municipal garage and when it rains, the water dripping from the concrete ceiling leaves mineral deposits. Thought the guys who resprayed my hood had messed up! However after some searching I discovered this method and it cleared it right up.

[patrik857]