water spots

[dragonrpc]

So I sprung for the "perma plate" and had it done within 2 days of receiving my car, the dealer washed it a few times, then I had to let it sit for a week while I was on vacation and I got some RAIN water spots. Washed them and car looked pretty good, next time I had Mercedes wash it (freebee) I noticed some hint of water spots in my garage lighting, the next day my companies sprinkler hit me, (recycled hard water yikes) I immediately washed it when I got home but noted there were still some older water spots. Went to the dealer today and they said well permaplate was a good choice but wont prevent/cure water spots, they washed it twice and still has some water spots.

Recomendations? Mercedes wants $100 for a detail and wax. is it worth it? or do I bust out the funds for the home stuff? do the regiman suggested in related threads? problem for me is I can wash it weekly but no time for detail.

thanks

[tiggerfink]

Go here to get some info.

http://www.meguiars.com/faq/_index.cfm?faqCat=Paint%20Care&faqQuestionID=48&se ction=_48#_48

[Blast26]

dragonrpc, whats perma plate? Do you know where i can go to get more info on it (web site)? What does perma plate do anyway?

Tiggerfink, you've done it again! I've learned so much from the sites that you suggest! Thanks a bunch, no wonder you win car shows!

[dragonrpc]

Blast,

Perma plate is the Merc dealer offering for "clear coat" I do not know the exact compounds used, but most any dealer should have something they offer as there paint protection (its an inside and out) detail and protective coating.

Thanks for the meguiars link Tiggerfink

[tiggerfink]

I hope the water spots are not on top of the factory clearcoat. Is that is the case and the dealer put the paint protection film on top of the water spots, I would go to the dealer and make them redo it.

Go here for more information on paint protection film.

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1124586&posts=8&hl=3m

[dragonrpc]

No the water spots are on top of the clear coat and perma plate coat. they can be buffed, I have an appt this week, my sales rep said he will get it taken care of on them.

[mflowin]

I had the same thing happen. Parked at the airport for 3 days and when I came out hard water spots all on the driver side. I went straight to the dealer from the airport to wash the car and it did nothing to remove the spots, so I went hime and pulled out the Meguire's NXT and it did OK but I could still see the spots. -Outcome-
I had to have the car detailed with a clay bar but it removed them all, not to mention make the car look f'n sweet.
The detailer said if the spots had sat longer it would have been very tough to get them out completely.

[Blast26]

Okay, I just got some water spots on my car yesterday. I washed and waxed it today. But Im not satisfied. Would it be okay to clay bar a brand new car? Not even a month old.

[mflowin]

It is OK to clay bar a new car.

[ByByeAmericanPie]

In fact you SHOULD clay bar a new car. Most new cars today are shipped by rail. This leads to the accumulation of "rail dust", the metallic dust produced by the action of metal wheels on metal tracks. This metallic dust, if not removed can permenantly embed itself in the paint.