Water spots on antique car paint

[tommyholt]

When you're done, maybe share a few after pics like this,

The Front Side Angle Shot - Photography for the Car Detailing World by Mike Phillips

Thanks again! I’ll send pics and my process when it’s finished.

 

[luckydawg]

I have had water spots so bad they had to be wet sanded, 105 & a rupes heavy blue wouldnt even get them, had to go to 2000 grit wet paper to get the outline out

 

[Mike Phillips]

I have had water spots so bad they had to be wet sanded, 105 & a rupes heavy blue wouldnt even get them, had to go to 2000 grit wet paper to get the outline out

Wow! That's bad!

Is this something you had to do to factory paint or custom/thicker paint?


Mike

 

[luckydawg]

They were all repaints-after the first one I had them put 3 coats of high solids clear on them, because I had to polish the horizontal surfaces every year because of the water spotting. The trucks are always outside so anytime rain or any water dries on it they leave a "ring / outline" They are ALMOST as bad ( not quite) as bad as bird turds, if your not there while its just done- if its on there even just a few hours- it will etch 100% of the time. Bird turds always needed to be sanded with 2000 to 2500 to get them out completely. Just had one installed with PPF and a coating after- waiting to see how that works out.

 

[tommyholt]

Just an update.

I got permission to do a tiny test spot. I chose a spot on the rear panel underneath the bumper.

A micropolisher with a blue polishing pad and a finishing polish was used on the lowest speed setting. It took 34 passes before I saw paint transfer on the pad. I increased the speed and made more passes until I was satisfied that I could try to remove a few water spots on the horizontal panels that were more noticeable.

Eventually, I went with the same polishing pad and a heavy cut compound and carefully made a few passes checking my work over and over. I’m convinced that I can safely knock them down by 70-80%. I’ll send all this info to the owner(s) and let them decide how much risk they are willing to take. Thanks again for your help.