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​How To Get Rid Of Water Spots

Posted by Flitz International on 10th May 2022

​How To Get Rid Of Water Spots

How do you get rid of water spots? And why are they such a pain in the butt? Both good questions. Good answers? Well, we’ll see. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s not what you think.

Those spots really aren’t dried water, they’re the minerals left behind when water evaporates. And because nearly 85% of the good old US of A suffers from hard water, there’s a LOT of minerals to leave behind. It’s those minerals that you need to deal with, and in many cases, the longer you don’t deal with them, the worse the damage they cause can be.

What’s the problem?

Those minerals can have a dramatically bad effect on the surfaces they deposit on. From disastrous water rings on cocktail tables to white ashy crud on faucets and the hood of your car, they are never a good thing. Minerals left to sit on your car can begin to eat away at the thin clear coat that protects your paint. Most of the UV protectant in clear coat is at the top, so eroding even a small portion of the top layer can be serious.

The same holds true for your bathroom and kitchen fixtures. The longer those minerals sit, the bigger the chance that rubbing them off can abrade and scratch the finish. On expensive faux finishes, that can be a disaster.

The best offense is a good defense

The best way to avoid water spot damage is to avoid water spots. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many folks don’t get it. If water can’t sit in once place, it can’t evaporate and leave a water spot. The answer is to make the surface as hydrophobic as possible. In plain language; make the surface too slick for water to stick.

Traditionally, wax has been the centuries-old favorite for keeping a surface too slick for water. And to this day, it works just fine. There are an endless number of wax offerings for kitchen, bath, auto, jewelry and more, including our very own Faucet Wax+. The only problems with wax are that it doesn’t like heat, and it doesn’t last long. That… can be frustrating.

Nano-Ceramic what?

By far the best and most affordable solution to making surfaces hydrophobic are today’s ceramic infused products like Flitz Ceramic Sealant. A proprietary formula containing liquid SiO2, silicon dioxide, Flitz Ceramic Sealant bonds to the surface it’s placed on and provides a hydrophobic coating that literally forces water away. It all has to do with the relatively complex dynamics of contact angles between the water and the silica. All of which boils down to it making it very tough for water to stay put. So… no water, no water spots.

But how do get rid of them?

For things likes faucets and fixtures, you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to the letter. In fact, not doing so could void your warranty. A lot of manufacturers recommend a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. A lot of manufacturers recommend Flitz Faucet Wax+. It all depends on the finish. Please bear in mind that while Flitz Faucet Wax+ will help remove fresh water spots, if the spots have been sitting a while, you’ll need a different answer. We can’t over-emphasize that for faucets and fixtures, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Seriously.

What about my car?

There are a number of good water spot removers on the market. A lot of our customers routinely use our Flitz Liquid Polish on their vehicles for troublesome water spots. Rather than monkey around with vinegar and water though, I’d encourage you to experiment and find one you like and make it a permanent part of your arsenal.

What’s wrong with vinegar?

Nothing really. I love it in salad dressing. But… remember that vinegar is basically acetic acid. The key word there is “acid” and some surfaces do not like acid… at all. Especially your car. Acetic acid removes sealants, coatings, waxes and, in some cases, can actually corrode your paint. It’s just not worth the risk and we suggest you avoid using it on your vehicle’s painted surfaces. Use a water spot remover, or if you know what you’re doing, a clay bar. (Vinegar is fine on glass by the way.)

Let’s wrap it up…

The key is prevention. Once you’ve used a Ceramic Sealant, you’ll be spoiled for life. Just don’t use it on any surface you’ll walking on. But, even with a sealant you’ll want to wipe off water from nooks and crannies where it can’t flow off naturally. As for existing water spots, that’s surface dependent. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for specialty finishes. Vinegar is a no-no for your car’s paint, but fine for auto glass and shower glass, etc. The future may be spotty, but you don’t have to be! Flitz it!