Hard water, rust stain removal advice

ban25 · 02-27-2011, 03:43 PM

Hi guys, I was on vacation last month and when I returned, I found that a rusty pipe in the garage had leaked water down the passenger side door of my silver 370z. It had been waxed, but when I washed it, the stain persisted. Needless to say, I was pretty unhappy!

Anyone know how to remove the stain safely? I've heard that a solution of vinegar and water can take care of it. There's also a product called 'Rust-Off' that might do the trick. My main concern is to remove the stain without damaging the paint

Thanks in advance!

LuckyJinx · 02-27-2011, 03:47 PM

Ask an advance auto to do a demonstration on their demo board.

onzedge · 02-27-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ban25

Hi guys, I was on vacation last month and when I returned, I found that a rusty pipe in the garage had leaked water down the passenger side door of my silver 370z. It had been waxed, but when I washed it, the stain persisted. Needless to say, I was pretty unhappy!

Anyone know how to remove the stain safely? I've heard that a solution of vinegar and water can take care of it. There's also a product called 'Rust-Off' that might do the trick. My main concern is to remove the stain without damaging the paint

Thanks in advance!

Vinegar and water should do the trick. I use it to take hard water spots off. You can also try something like Meguiars Swirl-X (a mild polishing compound).

djpathfinder · 02-27-2011, 04:28 PM

Ask the Junkman if the water and vinegar doesn't work.

Red__Zed · 02-27-2011, 04:35 PM

I've had success with vinegar in that situation.

LMBmikeZ · 02-27-2011, 06:05 PM

the interior fabric is called Alcantara, there website has cleaning instructions but it is currently not working I just tried it but couldn't get it to load otherwise I would've posted the link sry....

The site had lots of instructions for a whole variety of stains and spills you may have had. Hopefully it is back up soon.

LunaZ · 02-27-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

I've had success with vinegar in that situation.

This is good to know. I would have went straight for the polishing compound.

christian370z · 02-27-2011, 08:01 PM

If the vinegar solution fails, try a chemical paint cleanser. You can start with a basic over the counter paint cleaner such as Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleanser. If that fails to work or only improves the stain so much, you need to use some abrasive polish. In that case, start with a fine polish and work your way up if that does not work. I recommend grabbing some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound as it is not very aggressive but has a decent amount of cut, finishes very well and is easy to use by hand.

Good luck!

spearfish25 · 02-27-2011, 08:04 PM

A clay bar works well to remove particles from the hard water too.

kenchan · 02-27-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

A clay bar works well to remove particles from the hard water too.

This..if that don't work I use polish like luna mentioned.

vinegar can work but depending where it is I don't want vinegar running inside the door as it is corrosive if on metal for a long time and tuff to get the stink out. ...

ban25 · 04-19-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

A clay bar works well to remove particles from the hard water too.

It was on there heavily enough that the vinegar didn't do anything, but a clay bar and some quick detailer took it right off.

dad · 04-19-2011, 01:07 AM

How Can I Remove Water Stains From My Car Paint? | eHow.com

Junkman2008 · 04-20-2011, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

How Can I Remove Water Stains From My Car Paint? | eHow.com

No offense meant but eHow has some of the worst possible advice on detailing than I have ever seen anywhere on the Internet. They flat out suck at advice.

christian370z · 04-20-2011, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

No offense meant but eHow has some of the worst possible advice on detailing than I have ever seen anywhere on the Internet. They flat out suck at advice.

Agreed, they have some horrendous "guides" that should be removed from the web.

Junkman2008 · 04-20-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian370z

Agreed, they have some horrendous "guides" that should be removed from the web.

lol!

I think that's where the Formula 409 car wash guy posted his video. The horror...

02-27-2011, 03:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
ban25 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 339 Drives: 17 C7 Z06 M7 Rep Power: 66	Hard water, rust stain removal advice Hi guys, I was on vacation last month and when I returned, I found that a rusty pipe in the garage had leaked water down the passenger side door of my silver 370z. It had been waxed, but when I washed it, the stain persisted. Needless to say, I was pretty unhappy! Anyone know how to remove the stain safely? I've heard that a solution of vinegar and water can take care of it. There's also a product called 'Rust-Off' that might do the trick. My main concern is to remove the stain without damaging the paint Thanks in advance!

02-27-2011, 03:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
LuckyJinx Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 465 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 15	Ask an advance auto to do a demonstration on their demo board. __________________

02-27-2011, 04:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	Ask the Junkman if the water and vinegar doesn't work. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

02-27-2011, 08:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 432	If the vinegar solution fails, try a chemical paint cleanser. You can start with a basic over the counter paint cleaner such as Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleanser. If that fails to work or only improves the stain so much, you need to use some abrasive polish. In that case, start with a fine polish and work your way up if that does not work. I recommend grabbing some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound as it is not very aggressive but has a decent amount of cut, finishes very well and is easy to use by hand. Good luck! __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

02-27-2011, 08:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	A clay bar works well to remove particles from the hard water too. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

02-27-2011, 04:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	I've had success with vinegar in that situation.

02-27-2011, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
LMBmikeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,237 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 10350	the interior fabric is called Alcantara, there website has cleaning instructions but it is currently not working I just tried it but couldn't get it to load otherwise I would've posted the link sry.... The site had lots of instructions for a whole variety of stains and spills you may have had. Hopefully it is back up soon.

04-19-2011, 01:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	How Can I Remove Water Stains From My Car Paint? \| eHow.com __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

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