Best way to get water spots out of fiberglass?

[Wildcat]

We bought a new WaveRunner a few weeks ago, and apparently it didn't have a factory coat of wax on it when we bought it, so now it has nice water spots all over it that didn't come out with a wash and wax job this weekend..

I've heard mixing vinegar and water will do it, but thought I would seek advice here...

It's a royal blue color, so it looks great from a distance, but when you get real close the spots are very, very evident...I would like to get them out and then wax the crap out of it to prevent further spots.

Thanks for any help.

[xsnrg]

If water and vinegar don't do it, try some Nautical Ease water spot remover. I have been very impressed thus far.

[Wildcat]

With the water+vinegar, do you just put like a cup of vinegar to a gallon of water and wash it then rinse with water?

I will likely try this tonight after I get done washing the truck.

[mosi]

Anal lube works pretty well

[Caincando1]

Just frenzy wax it. It would only take 5 min. to wax a jet ski.

[hughey]

Anal lube works pretty well


Mosi, how did you just happen to figure this out?? :roll:

[Wildcat]

I thought the Meguiar's that I put on it would have done the trick, but didn't...

Want to make sure I get them out before I wax anymore.

[xsnrg]

I put a coat of frenzy on the black on my boat, thinking it would take the water spots out. It didn't do as well as I had hoped it would. Then I was worried I had sealed them in. Once clean, the Frenzy does well to keep them away though, that has been my experience anyway.

[rhunter113]

I have the same problem with my SeaRay 270. [smilie=106.gif] I can't get them off with wax or vinegar and water. Also have the spots on my wave runner.

Dena at Port Arrowhead told me to use Lime Away to take them off. She was very clear to NOT use it on the glass. [smilie=011.gif] The Lime Away will take off the spots and the wax, so immediately following the Lime Away you must wax it again. I am going to try it this coming weekend, but I will look back to see if someone else has an idea.

[87vette]

I've had good luck with vinegar and water getting water spots off. The trick is to spray it on and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse off. I did take lime away to the bottom once, worked great. Didn't have any bad effect on the gelcoat. I was cautioned to do this in the shade though. And I do know that polished aluminum doesn't like the lime away much.

[Wildcat]

So, are we talking CLR here?

We are going to try to get the Waverunner all cleaned up tomorrow night...

Got the truck cleaned up tonight, and it's looking good...Found and great new Vinyl cleaner/protectant that I put on it and it looks awesome..took old wax off of areas we had accidentally put on the plastic/gray/vinyl parts of the truck....

[xsnrg]

http://www.nauticalease.com/products/spotremover.htm

Forgot to post linkage before. I'd never used it before, but figured it was worth a try from others recommendations on here. Glad I did.

[Bill]

There is a product out called Boat Shield. Not sure if it will remove baked in water spots, have not had to try it, but once you put Boat Shield on, you can simply wipe water spots off with your fingers. I do know Race Glaze or Wizards will remove water spots. But, for the ulitmate protection, use the Boat Shield. I have been testing it for about 6 months now and am simply amazed. I own a detaing and restoration business, and this is the best stuff I have EVER tried.

[obnoxus21]

Waxing over water spots only makes it harder to get off. You can go REAL extreme with muriatic acid :shock: but only as a last ditch effort. A nylon scrub brush moving in circles with spray 9 has worked for me in the past. Actually worked real well on one of my last jobs. Zing might be a good choice aswell. It's a hydrochloric acid and you wanna do small sections at a time and do not let sit. It worked real well for me when cleaning a boat that's been sitting in water for 6 weeks.

And the best preventative would be to wipe it down after EVERY use. That's what I was taught to do since I was 6 or 7 :mrgreen:

[Bill]

IF anyone uses acid, remember, you HAVE to protect the area used just used the acid on. I DO NOT recommend you use acid for water spots, there are much better ways to remove them then acid. As I stated above, try Race Glaze or Wizards, that should remove them. RG and Wizards is a protective polish, not a wax. If the polish does not remove them, a compound definately will.

[Frenzy]

Frenzy! Spray Wax. Use it when you pull the boat out of the water and you won't get water spots. It's a hit in Arizona and California where the outside temperature can get so hot that the boats dry almost immediately when they come out of the water. Waxing Frenzy will help to keep them off. Race Glaze is not recommended for boats (per the manufacturer). It is not meant to hold up under those conditions. Vinegar and water works, but will remove your wax, thus causing more water spots. Acid on your gelcoat or paint is a definite no-no. You damage the surface, leaving it more suceptible to even more water spots (the vicious cycle!).

[crownmann225]

I have been using simple green and it works great.

[Frenzy]

But, that still strips the wax.

[crownmann225]

I would think that anything that removes the waterspots could also remove the wax. My problem with spot removers, natuical ease and ducky's is that it leaves a greasy film on the boat and then I have to wax or use glass cleaner to remove the film. Vinager and water works ok, but I would also think the vinegar would remove the wax. Wax off wax on, just part of the game!

[Frenzy]

That's why the Frenzy Spray Wax is so popular. Removes the spots, while preserving the wax and protection.

[Bill]

Race Glaze is not recommended for boats??? [smilie=265.gif] [smilie=265.gif] [smilie=265.gif] That is a good one, where did you come up with that?!?!?!?

Kim, you state here that acid is a no-no, but yet you recomend in another thread here for someone to use it to remove a stain, forget about that???

Crownmann,

PM me if you are interested, I live in the Quad Cities and will set you in the right dorection. I will help you, not try to pawn my stuff to you, I am not in the retail business!!! I own a detailing/restoration business in Eldridge and have extensive fiberglass repair/restoration training.

Hey Kim, how come so many people are pissed at you in the racing business??? HMMM??? I know more then you care to imagine...

[DoubleBlended]

elbow grease!!

[lutzparty]

Try Sno-Bol on a cloth , wipe it on and rinse it right off. It works pretty good and its only 2 bucks a bottle.

[Frenzy]

Bill, I'll have to look it up...either I read it on Race Glaze's web site, or a thread from someone at Race Glaze on Speedwake. I think that's why they came up with the Long Haul products for use on boats.

Pissed off at me? Haven't heard about that. I actually haven't had any time to even attend a race in over a year, but thanks for bringing that to my attention! Maybe they just miss me.

As far as acid on a boat....it is a quick way to remove yellowing from the hull. However, I never recommend using more than OCCASSIONALLY and certainly not as part of a maintenance program or to remove water spots.

Just FYI, I also own a detailing business, have several years of fiberglass fabrication and gelcoat repair experience. I do not try to pawn my products here, but keep in mind...we developed them because nothing else worked the way we expected or wanted.

Have a wonderful day, Bill.

[Wildcat]

I'm wondering what the difference is between Frenzy Spray Wax and Meguiar's Spray Wax...

I just want something that will take them off...cause it looks like hell when you get up close.

[Frenzy]

Frenzy Spray Wax can be used in direct sunlight, on hot surfaces. Meguiars cannot. It will evaporate before you have a chance to rub it in. Also, as stated in Powerboat Magazine, Frenzy is one of only 2 spray waxes that offers protection.

[Bill]

Bill, I'll have to look it up...either I read it on Race Glaze's web site, or a thread from someone at Race Glaze on Speedwake. I think that's why they came up with the Long Haul products for use on boats.

Pissed off at me? Haven't heard about that. I actually haven't had any time to even attend a race in over a year, but thanks for bringing that to my attention! Maybe they just miss me.

As far as acid on a boat....it is a quick way to remove yellowing from the hull. However, I never recommend using more than OCCASSIONALLY and certainly not as part of a maintenance program or to remove water spots.

Just FYI, I also own a detailing business, have several years of fiberglass fabrication and gelcoat repair experience. I do not try to pawn my products here, but keep in mind...we developed them because nothing else worked the way we expected or wanted.

Have a wonderful day, Bill.


Long Haul was developed for over the road semi's hence the name. LONG HAUL :roll:

[SHIP4BRAINS]

:shock:

WTF is going on??? I can certainly feel the love in here! YIKES!!

I have been nothing but amazed with Race Glaze...
but I have an arsenal of other products I use...and a huge tub of goodies that I keep in my truck at all time when boating.

I do use vinegar and water....sometimes for spot treatment of water spots and mucky water lines ( especially on the stainless stl rub rail and chrome pipes...etc ) ...sometimes for the whole damn boat. But I do use Race Glaze every couple times out in the water. At least from the rubrail down where the crap sticks the worst. But really, with Race Glaze it isn't necessary to scrub....if applied correctly, not much sticks and waterspots do come right off. I think it is good stuff. I don't care how long it lasts...because I am a picky puke and sometimes the boat gets cleaned even if it hasn't seen the water in weeks. I just enjoy doing it.

I guess, the success of this product ( and others ) also depends on the condition of the surface it is applied to. Get real...putting an expensive polish or wax on a rough, stained, porus surface will do nothing but seal the crappy old surface. Start with a smooth, clean, mirror-like gel coat and keep it clean and polished and it will stay that way.

A polished turd is still just a turd.

[SHIP4BRAINS]

I think the application of ANY product in direct sun light is just asking for trouble. I don't feel like using a scotchbright pad to remove baked on anything...waterspots or wax...

[SHIP4BRAINS]

Bill, I'll have to look it up...either I read it on Race Glaze's web site, or a thread from someone at Race Glaze on Speedwake. I think that's why they came up with the Long Haul products for use on boats.

Pissed off at me? Haven't heard about that. I actually haven't had any time to even attend a race in over a year, but thanks for bringing that to my attention! Maybe they just miss me.

As far as acid on a boat....it is a quick way to remove yellowing from the hull. However, I never recommend using more than OCCASSIONALLY and certainly not as part of a maintenance program or to remove water spots.

Just FYI, I also own a detailing business, have several years of fiberglass fabrication and gelcoat repair experience. I do not try to pawn my products here, but keep in mind...we developed them because nothing else worked the way we expected or wanted.

Have a wonderful day, Bill.


Long Haul was developed for over the road semi's hence the name. LONG HAUL :roll:

Is that why there is a truck on the container? :shock:

[Frenzy]

Just tryin' to help. All I can do is offer suggestions to solve the problems that you have. I have products you can use in the sun without "baking on" and a product that will remove water spots without removing the protection. What you do with the information is entirely up to you.

Keep in mind, I was a boat owner and a boat detailer long before I developed the Frenzy products. I have pretty much tried 'em all. If I didn't know that Frenzy products would give you the results you are looking for, I would not recommend them...especially in a public forum.

[LakeRacer99]

Mitch, did you get this issue resolved? You wave probably waxed over the water spots, so additional wax will not help. You need to cut down through the wax to get to the water spots. Use a rubbing compound for this, since your ski is new, I would start with the finest stuff I could find and work coarse then go back the other way. Then go to a polishing wax. I use Liquid Brilliance, just cause that is what I have used on my cars forever.

You need to use a vinegar/water when you get out of the water. I have been doing it for about 10yrs now and it works great and is cheap, like me. You have to remember that Vinegar is an acid and you need to keep the thing waxed during the season as well. I am sure the vinegar/water will remove you wax after a few applications, just wax it once a month or so during the season.

Are you taking it out this week?

[lake crazy]

To help future build up of water spots, I've had really good luck with Meguiar's Kwik Clean. Spray it on right after coming out of the water and wipe off. It's worked great for me.

Bill, what brand of wax/polish would you recommend and what is the difference? When do you use wax versus polish?