removal of acid rain/hard water spots on glass

[mpope2]

What is the best product to use to remove acid rain/hard water spots on automotive glass. I have used several different clay bars and I have also used a product called Glass Scrub. I have spent hours and hours trying to remove these @#$*ing spots to no avail

[Tweaks]

What is the best product to use to remove acid rain/hard water spots on automotive glass. I have used several different clay bars and I have also used a product called Glass Scrub. I have spent hours and hours trying to remove these @#$*ing spots to no avail

I know everyone likes to chime in and say, "clay bar" or "steel wool." I haven't tried the steel wool method, but I do know from experience this summer that clay bars don't get the job done on glass with stubborn hard water spots. My truck sits outside and for some reason the east coast rain does a much worse number on the glass than what I had to deal with years ago when I lived in Minnesota. I have found a good recipe in my arsenal of detailing skills though. My porter cable 7424xp and some Meguiars M105 or M205 cutting compounds have become my go to for quickly erasing months of hard water stains on glass. I follow that up with some Chemical guys wet mirror glaze or Collinite fleetwax to try to slow down the process of minerals sticking to the glass. Also, I go straight for my PC7424xp and the compounds because Meguair's and 3M cleaner waxes vigorously rubbed into the glass for 5 minutes in a small spot didn't do a thing to remove the minerals. Glass is hard and it won't mind if you use a light abrasive compound, so that's what I recommend based on my experience and results.

[CKTA]

I've had good luck with 0000 steel wool and aluminum polish.

[HiSpdJunkie]

I know everyone likes to chime in and say, "clay bar" or "steel wool." I haven't tried the steel wool method, but I do know from experience this summer that clay bars don't get the job done on glass with stubborn hard water spots. My truck sits outside and for some reason the east coast rain does a much worse number on the glass than what I had to deal with years ago when I lived in Minnesota. I have found a good recipe in my arsenal of detailing skills though. My porter cable 7424xp and some Meguiars M105 or M205 cutting compounds have become my go to for quickly erasing months of hard water stains on glass. I follow that up with some Chemical guys wet mirror glaze or Collinite fleetwax to try to slow down the process of minerals sticking to the glass. Also, I go straight for my PC7424xp and the compounds because Meguair's and 3M cleaner waxes vigorously rubbed into the glass for 5 minutes in a small spot didn't do a thing to remove the minerals. Glass is hard and it won't mind if you use a light abrasive compound, so that's what I recommend based on my experience and results.

I'm a big fan of using the Porter Cable myself. I use an orange pad with PoorBoys SSR 2.5 and it quickly takes care of the water spots. I usually follow that up with a coat of Eagle One gel wax that I have laying around.

[mpope2]

Thank ya'll for all the suggestions. I had heard steel wool before but was kinda nervous to try it. But, as mentioned above, glass is a very hard surface and can take more abrasive products than painted surfaces. I'm going home this weekend to give the Z a little TLC. I'm gonna give these methods a spin. Again, thank ya'll for your time and input. My truck will look ten years newer once I address my glass.

[Tweaks]

Thank ya'll for all the suggestions. I had heard steel wool before but was kinda nervous to try it. But, as mentioned above, glass is a very hard surface and can take more abrasive products than painted surfaces. I'm going home this weekend to give the Z a little TLC. I'm gonna give these methods a spin. Again, thank ya'll for your time and input. My truck will look ten years newer once I address my glass.

If you don't have porter cable power tools like Hispeedjunkie and I do, get some turtle wax rubbing compound or polishing compound and apply it by hand. Both products are abrasive and will get the job done with a hand application.

[mpope2]

Good deal I have plenty of rubbing compound on hand. Tweaks, this is off topic, but what kinda controller did you use for your LT1 E-fans?

[Tweaks]

Good deal I have plenty of rubbing compound on hand. Tweaks, this is off topic, but what kinda controller did you use for your LT1 E-fans?

I went the factory-like wiring setup route and they are managed by the trucks PCM thanks to a Blackbear performance e-fan wiring kit and and a custom PCM tune also by Blackbear performance. Super sweet and reliable setup. Wish I did that mod way long ago.

[drummer_boy51]

I've had good luck with 0000 steel wool and Mother's chrome polish...took some elbow grease but they looked great afterwards! It's about time to do it again actually...

[mpope2]

I went the factory-like wiring setup route and they are managed by the trucks PCM thanks to a Blackbear performance e-fan wiring kit and and a custom PCM tune also by Blackbear performance. Super sweet and reliable setup. Wish I did that mod way long ago.
I have heard about the Blackbear wiring kit. I like the OEM feel of it. I am still running a stock tune lol. I have been putting a tune off until I regear and get some e-fans. I just gotta start searching some junk yards for either a LT1 setup like you or might go the 05' up truck route. Thanks for all the input.

[Tweaks]

I have heard about the Blackbear wiring kit. I like the OEM feel of it. I am still running a stock tune lol. I have been putting a tune off until I regear and get some e-fans. I just gotta start searching some junk yards for either a LT1 setup like you or might go the 05' up truck route. Thanks for all the input.

The 05 setup is nice, but you'd be amazed at how perfectly stock looking the LS1 or LT1 fans look in that engine bay. If scored my LT1 fans off of ebay for like 50 bucks. I got lucky though. Winning a bid on LT1 fans on ebay for that cheap is rare. I took photos of my install and how it all looks so be sure to send me a PM if you ever need help with that mod. I am a good resource of knowledge and photos of most of the mods I do.

[mpope2]

Thanks man for all your input. When I get the funds and parts for the setup I am definitely gonna take you up on that offer.

[mpope2]

BTW nice job on the Towlie avatar

[Tweaks]

BTW nice job on the Towlie avatar

Don't read into the avatar more than the fact that I am a huge South Park fan, lol. I've even made the pilgrimage through the actual town on one of my snowboarding trips to CO.

[mpope2]

I to am an avid South Park fan. I love snowboarding. I usually go to Boone, NC. I have always wanted to see CO

[k9t8m]

Steel wool has worked best for me in the past.

[oottoot]

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/tech-articles/307686-how-remove-water-spots-off-windows.html I went this route with a battery drill and power ball.

[darren250r]

A guy on another forum used Rustoleum rust stripper from walmart with good success. Here is his writeup:

http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?6223-WriteUp-How-to-make-Windows-Mirrors-Like-New&highlight=water+spots

[Tweaks]

I'm convinced. Going to add some rust stripper to my detailing cache the next time I stop in to one of those big box stores. Sure beats busting out the PC 7424 and polishing compounds to tackle the job.

[gmctrucks]

I read on some forum they used Rust remover spray.