The Ultimate Guide to Removing and Preventing Water Spots from Car Glass
Whether you’re battling sprinkler damage, mineral etching, or salt spray buildup—this is the method that works.
What Causes Water Spots on Car Glass?
Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium. When water dries on your windshield or windows, it leaves behind those minerals. Over time, they bond to the glass surface and become harder to remove.
Common causes include:
- Sprinkler systems hitting the car
- Well water used in washing
- Ocean air or salt mist in coastal areas
- Drying in the sun after a rinse
How to Tell If the Spots Are Surface-Level or Etched In
Before you fix it, you need to identify it. Surface-level spots will often wipe away with a mild acid cleaner. Etched spots feel rough and remain after cleaning—they require polishing.
Learn more: Etched vs Surface Water Spots
Step 1: Clean the Glass with an Acid-Based Cleaner
Start with Pure Magic Cleaner. This acid-based formula removes mineral buildup and gives you a clean surface to assess the damage.
Step 2: Polish the Glass to Remove Etching
If the spots remain after cleaning, you’ll need to polish. Use Picture Perfect Polish with a Cut & Finish Pad for correction. Then refine with a Finishing Pad if needed.
Step 3: Protect the Glass to Prevent Future Spots
Once the glass is clean, apply a ceramic spray like Tough As Shell to repel water and minerals. Reapply every few months or after harsh weather.
Bonus: Top Maintenance Tips
- Never let sprinklers hit your car windows
- Dry your car after washing with a Massive Drying Towel
- Use Pure Magic as a maintenance spray to knock down new mineral buildup
Get Everything You Need in One Bundle
The Picture Perfect Paint Bundle includes Pure Magic, Picture Perfect Polish, both pads, and everything you need to restore and protect glass.
Related Posts
- How to Maintain Glass After Water Spot Removal
- Why Pure Magic Cleaner Works So Well on Water Spots
- Complete Glass Restoration System
