That water look was just annoying me more and more.
Water Spotting
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Folsom, California, USA
Mercedes E350, E550s on it's way!
Water Spotting on Trim
After having my vehicle, which is in repair at the moment, go through a Bob's Car Wash out here in Northern CA I noticed there was this water spotting occuring on the black plastic pieces (trim) along the windows on the exterior. Time and Time again I've washed the car myself and it won't go away but seems to be getting more noticable to my eye. Anyone ever had this water spotting type of effect on there exterior black trim and know how to get rid of it?
Below is the area I speak of:
Thanx much
Below is the area I speak of:
Thanx much
Last edited by AkMadness; Oct 30, 2006 at 05:59 PM. Reason: Title Error
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
All the time. And the black metal trim sometimes has a purpleish glaze look to it. Wax it with any cream liquid wax in a bottle. All will be well on any of the black trim by the windows.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Oct 30, 2006 at 09:15 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
Wax will not "remove" the spots, but will "hide" them for a period of time. To remove them, you will first need a dedicated paint cleaner (not polish) such as Adam's Polishes Revive, Poorboy's Professional Polish, or Meguiar's DACP. There are a host of them out there (use the same for your paint prior to waxing as well). After that, your wax will not only look better, it will last longer.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2005 E-500
Car Wash?
The question was not asked, but should we trust our MB's to a car wash? I assume that Bob's is brushless, but even so I have never used a car wash due to the potential for damage to the paint and other hazards if the unit is not well maintained.
Granted, I am retired so I have the time to hand wash. Do many owners expose their babys to these risks?
Cold and overcast in San Francisco
Granted, I am retired so I have the time to hand wash. Do many owners expose their babys to these risks?
Cold and overcast in San Francisco
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I wash mine 1 to 2 times weekly at the local "Brushless" car wash. (It uses strips of cloth that rotate, not "brushes", but its the same thing to me) Other than having to straighten the star after it comes out and is wiped down, the car still looks great after 3 years. No swirls/brush marks, etc. Its good enough for me (& I'm a little crazy-meticulous) & looks 100 times better than all the Brilliant Silver & Black (probably never been washed) Lease Returns I see at the dealership.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Folsom, California, USA
Mercedes E350, E550s on it's way!
The question was not asked, but should we trust our MB's to a car wash? I assume that Bob's is brushless, but even so I have never used a car wash due to the potential for damage to the paint and other hazards if the unit is not well maintained.
Granted, I am retired so I have the time to hand wash. Do many owners expose their babys to these risks?
Cold and overcast in San Francisco
Granted, I am retired so I have the time to hand wash. Do many owners expose their babys to these risks?
Cold and overcast in San Francisco
Well I had a business meeting to attend only 30 mins from then so I needed the car to look presentable. And since were family friends with the owner and I've known him since growing up I trust my car with his company, in the past if there was ever a mess up he takes care of it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: NY,NY
2005 E320
WANT TO GET RID OF WATER SPOTS FOR GOOD!???
(especialll for those of you who have pano roof like me)
IT REALLY WORKS... forget about any fancy wax or polish.
Use ordinary/origional liquid dawn (blue bottle) . U can prob find it on sale for $3
WARNING: washing the paint on the car with liquid dawn is not harmful to the paint so long at it is only done 1-2 times a year. HOWEVER, it will remove all wax and paint. so either just wash and rinse the desired spot or the whole car only once and be prepared to reapply polish/wax.
FYI... Once a year I wash the whole car w/ dawn. It stripps off all unwanted particles, water spots. I then claybar and wax.
Think about it... it's designed to cut through greese on pots and pans.
BTW: got the tip from zaino bros (best wax I've ever used)
from their site... "I would definitely recommend you remove the wax buildup on your paint. Just use Liquid Dawn (hand dishwashing liquid) as a car wash. It has a high alkaline content which cuts right thru carnauba wax, paraffin, silicone oils, etc. This will get your paint finish squeeky clean and wax free. I don't advise making a habit of washing your car with Dawn. But for this scenario it's fine. High alkaline products like Dawn are tough on polishes. It will never harm the paint finish though."
(especialll for those of you who have pano roof like me)
IT REALLY WORKS... forget about any fancy wax or polish.
Use ordinary/origional liquid dawn (blue bottle) . U can prob find it on sale for $3
WARNING: washing the paint on the car with liquid dawn is not harmful to the paint so long at it is only done 1-2 times a year. HOWEVER, it will remove all wax and paint. so either just wash and rinse the desired spot or the whole car only once and be prepared to reapply polish/wax.
FYI... Once a year I wash the whole car w/ dawn. It stripps off all unwanted particles, water spots. I then claybar and wax.
Think about it... it's designed to cut through greese on pots and pans.
BTW: got the tip from zaino bros (best wax I've ever used)
from their site... "I would definitely recommend you remove the wax buildup on your paint. Just use Liquid Dawn (hand dishwashing liquid) as a car wash. It has a high alkaline content which cuts right thru carnauba wax, paraffin, silicone oils, etc. This will get your paint finish squeeky clean and wax free. I don't advise making a habit of washing your car with Dawn. But for this scenario it's fine. High alkaline products like Dawn are tough on polishes. It will never harm the paint finish though."
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 2
From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
I gave up on the car wash hype a long time ago. After becoming friends with a professional detailer that had also spent many years working in a body shop, I learned how to make paint look good.
It's all about the prep work. Wash the car, clay it, only polish if you have excessive swirls/scratches, and stay on top of the wax. You don't have to use high dollar wax to make your paint pop.
It's all about the prep work. Wash the car, clay it, only polish if you have excessive swirls/scratches, and stay on top of the wax. You don't have to use high dollar wax to make your paint pop.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Brushless Car Wash
I absolutely never, never take my car into a car wash that advertises," brushless", yet has those felt like strips. It is like using wet sandpaper. In the dead of winter I sometimes find a true brushless car wash that uses just water pressure. When the car comes out, I sometimes spend 5 minutes cleaning it up. It's not a really good car wash, but it doesn't harm the car at all.
