Removing water spots from windshield

[Windjammer]

Trying to remove water spots from windshield (freshwater), and not having much luck.
Have tried boat soap and sponge.
Windex
Vinegar diluted with water.
Straight vinegar.
Bar keepers friend liquid and powder.
CLR
So far, none of these is really working well.
Any ideas for a next step?

 

[B BARKER]

I use a chamois cloth to dry mine off after I wash, works pretty good..I don't know if you can get rid of all of them or not !!!!

 

[wrvond]

For glass that has been etched, you'll need to use a mechanical method to remove the spots and smooth the surface of the glass.
There are many products available in terms of polishes - you can pretty much choose any one you want, from jeweler's rouge to McGuire's glass polish. The real key is using a polisher such as the Dewalt polisher or the Porter Cable DA polisher with a glass polishing pad. Work it down until it is clean and smooth, then seal it to help prevent future etching.

 

[In Two Deep]

A buffer with the proper pad and wax. Shurhold offers both. Here is a link to an article explaining the process

https://shurhold.com/article/press/glass-polishing-pads-help-easily-remove-hard-water-stains/

 

[sbw1]

We chamois the glass every morning before the dew dries. It is sort of like a spot free wash at the car wash.Stays clean. Doing this after it rains produces similar result. Free and not too much work. Probably not so much if you are a salt water boater.

 

[dwna1a]

Go to Window Cleaning Resource and get a bottle of A1. Don't use any other products on the glass till you polish the glass. You may ruin the chances of getting them clean.

You can also look into YouTube postings done by MrHardwater, it will teach you how to remove the hard water spots.

If you were closer I'd come over and give you a hand, I do this for many homeowners and boaters.

 

[Bentwings]

I do classic cars too and I just use distilled water or water from the bulk at the grocery store. It’s soft water.

Also I use a neat kinda rubber feeling cloth from the auto parts store. One just for wiping after washing and one just for glass. I rinse these in distilled water when done. These come in a plastic container that I stow behind the seat of the el Camino and in the rear storage compartment in the Buick RoadMaster Estate Wagon.

These also work great on the dash and to wipe both leather and vinyl interior items. I’m very careful not to drop them in the ground too. They aren’t easy to get sand out of. They work better than chamois but feel the same. Chamois actually is a little abrasive and will eventually leave micto scratches in auto paint. Regardless of all the good they are supposed to be. Classic car guys call chamois “old school”

 

[Boatguy49036]

This stuff is the best, no scrubbing, polishing, buffing...spray, wait a few, wipe. Totally clears the windshield of water spots.

Ducky Water Spot Remover, 32-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WNU02S/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_tai_0rPxBb109D2A4

 

[NotHerDecision]

I’m sure there are tons of products. We use driven glass clean from amazon. It is acidic and you rub it on then wash it off. Like others have said it will take a mechanical method. Once you do get it clean I recommend ppg aquapel as a sealant.

 

[endless seas]

I used a copper steel wool pad with Buff Magic (pink paste) by hand and it worked perfect on our 450. the glass looked brand new.The copper pad did not allow the tiny particles to rust.

Good luck,
Tom

 

[Ponty]

I also used buff magic from shurhold with their wool pad. Worked great and windshield looks like new

 

[FastMarkA]

Look no further: https://www.chemicalguys.com/Marine_and_Boat_Heavy_Duty_Water_Spot_Remover_Gel_p/mbw10316.htm

 

[Boater420]

When I worked for a Mercedes Benz dealer, the cheap trick was Bar Keepers Friend. Worked like a charm for a few bucks. Regular kitchen sponge, pour it on the class, rub it in and rinse it away. It's not abrasive enough to scratch the glass, but the oxalic acid works wonders.

 

[juggernaut1]

I used Meguires Ultimate Polish (removes fine swirls) on my windows and screens on my car and came back like new. Im sure a cleaner wax will probably work well to.

 

[Windjammer]

A dockmate was having his windows tinted and I asked the guy who was doing this what they used to remove water spots before tinting. He recommeded 3D Eraser Gel and cautioned me about not leaving this on for more than one minute. So I got some of this stuff (Amazon), and applied it in small sections (about a square foot) with a Scotch Brite scrub sponge, and I am really pleased with the result. I really liked the gel as opposed to a liquid. Not sure if I should apply a sealer to the windshield or just used Flagship wax..

 

[Almightys]

When I wash the boat, I use the charcoal water filter. Helps keep the spots down. Also, wipe off the widows before they dry.

 

[Shaps]

A dockmate was having his windows tinted and I asked the guy who was doing this what they used to remove water spots before tinting. He recommeded 3D Eraser Gel and cautioned me about not leaving this on for more than one minute. So I got some of this stuff (Amazon), and applied it in small sections (about a square foot) with a Scotch Brite scrub sponge, and I am really pleased with the result. I really liked the gel as opposed to a liquid. Not sure if I should apply a sealer to the windshield or just used Flagship wax..

I think it all depends on how much calcification is on the windows to start with. When I first got my boat the glass was heavily etched with water spots. I tried various potions but the only thing that ultimately worked for me was using heavy compound on a foam pad. After that, I followed up with fleetwax and so far, so good.