How to Get Rid of Water Spots on Car Windows | 6 DIY Methods
Water spots on car windows are affecting the visual appearance of the car and making it look dirty. These spots also reduce visibility and are very annoying, especially when driving. The question is how to get rid of water spots on car windows. In this guide, we will share the top 6 DIY methods to get rid of water spots on cars and tips to prevent them in the future.
Table of contents
- What Causes Water Spots on Car Windows?
- The Effects of Water Spots on Your Car’s Glass
- 6 DIY Methods to Get Rid of Water Spots on Car Windows
- Preventing Water Spots and Tree Sap in the Future
- Utilize Car Window Tints to Prevent Spots
- Effective Tips for Spotless Car Glass Cleaning
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What Causes Water Spots on Car Windows?
Water spots formed when the water drops dried up on the windows of the car. If there is too much dirt on the car’s window and the water drop falls and dries up, the spot will be more hard and prominent. The common causes of water spots on windows are the following:
- Hard Water: Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals. So, when it falls on the windows and dries up, the spots are produced on the surface.
- Rainwater: Acidic rain also contains acidic minerals and can leave spots on car windows when it dries.
- Sprinkler Water: Outdoor sprinklers often spray water that contains minerals. This also results in the production of spots when water dries up quickly.
- Car Wash Residue: Another common cause of water spots is not drying your car properly after a wash, which can lead to spots.
The Effects of Water Spots on Your Car’s Glass
The water spots do not seem critical initially, but later on they can lead to several problems. Therefore, whenever you see spots, find out how to get rid of water spots on car windows and remove them quickly. Here are some bad effects of water spots:
- Reduced Visibility: Water spots can make it harder to see through your windows.
- Permanent Etching: With the passage of time, the minerals start damaging the glass surface.
- Dull Appearance: Spots can make your car look less polished and clean. The windows can lose shine permanently if spots are not removed on time.
- Difficult Cleaning: If you wait longer for removing water spots, getting rid of them will become difficult.
6 DIY Methods to Get Rid of Water Spots on Car Windows
Here are the six best DIY solutions to easily remove the water spots on a vehicle’s windows:
1. Use vinegar to remove water spots effectively
Vinegar is a powerful natural solution for spot removal. It is usually available at everybody’s home and is also very cheap. Here is the process to use it:
- Mix equal portions of vinegar and water and add it into the spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the water spots on the window and leave it for a few minutes.
- After some time, this solution will soften the spots.
- Take a microfiber cloth to wipe the vinegar solution off.
- Finally, rinse with water and dry the car’s window with a soft cloth.
2. Lemon juice for spot removal on the car’s window
Lemon juice is another natural solution that is accessible at your home. If you do not have it at home, you can easily buy it from a nearby vegetable store. Here is the process of using lemon juice to get rid of water spots on car windows:
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto a soft cloth.
- Rub it directly on the water spots.
- Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with water.
- The natural acid in the lemon juice will soften the spot.
- Wiping with a clean towel will remove all spots.
The lemon juice method is very helpful to get rid of water spots on car windows. It dissolves minerals in the water spots and removes them from the window without any damage.
3. Use baking soda to remove hard water spots
For removing hard water spots on car windows, baking soda is an effective DIY solution. Here is the process:
- Mix baking soda with water to make a decent amount of paste.
- Gently scrub the paste on the water spots using a soft microfiber cloth.
- Rinse the paste with water and dry the car windows.
- You will see that all spots are removed from car windows.
4. Clay bar for deep cleaning
If the water spots on car windows are very hard and deeply embedded, the clay bar DIY method can be useful. The clay bar technique is described below:
- Spray a clay lubricant on water spots on car windows.
- Then gently rub the clay bar on the car windows in a circular motion.
- Finally, wipe off the residue with a wet microfiber cloth.
- The clay bar method is effective for hard-to-remove water spots, but it works slowly.
5. WD-40: A surprising water spot removal solution
WD-40 is not just for fixing the squeaky doors; it can also help to get rid of water spots on car windows. The process is simple.
- Just spray the WD-40 on the clean cloth and rub the cloth over the water spots.
- It will quickly dissolve the dried minerals of water spots and perfectly clean the car windows.
6. Use toothpaste for hard water spots.
Toothpaste is another simple yet effective DIY method to get rid of water spots on car windows. The application process is almost similar to other DIY removal techniques.
- Apply non-gel toothpaste to a damp cloth.
- Gently rub it over the water spots.
- The mild abrasives in the toothpaste will remove spots on car windows.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry the glass.
Preventing Water Spots and Tree Sap in the Future
Here are 6 precautionary measures to prevent water spots and tree sap in the future:
Regular washing to minimize buildup
Regular washing keeps your car safe from dirt, hard water spots, and tree sap. If the water spots and tree sap stick on your car windows, wash with good car shampoo and dry the glass thoroughly. To remove hardened tree sap from a car windshield, you can also use rubbing alcohol, baking soda, or vinegar.
Use good car wax for protection
Car wax acts as a shield that prevents the buildup of water spots and tree sap. After washing the car windows, apply the polish for extra protection in the future.
Park your car away from trees
Parking your car under trees exposes your car to tree sap and hard water spots from sprinklers. Therefore, choose the shaded areas to keep your car safe from these risks.
Use a car cover for extra safety
Whenever you park in open or closed areas, use a car cover for extra safety. It is a very cost-effective and simple way to keep your car windows safe from water spots.
Apply a water repellent on car windows
Water repellents prevent the water drops from staying on car windows. With a water repellent, the drops will slip off the windows instead of drying and leaving spots.
With these DIY spot removal methods and prevention tips, you can keep your car windows spotless. Knowing how to get rid of water spots on car windows helps to keep your car in top shape. Keeping the car in top shape also attracts buyers and increases its trade-in value.
Utilize Car Window Tints to Prevent Spots
Car window tints are another great way to prevent water spots and protect windows. No matter which car window tint shades you use, they will protect the windows from spots. Moreover, the tint also protects the window from scratches and the interior from fading. In many states across the USA, lighter window tinting is common practice.
Effective Tips for Spotless Car Glass Cleaning
Here are the six effective tips to keep your windows spotless, shiny, and scratch-free:
Clean windows in the shade to avoid streaks
Cleaning the windows in a shaded region helps you avoid streaks. Direct sunlight quickly dries up the water drops, which results in hard water spots.
Use a microfiber cloth for the best result
Microfiber cloths are highly recommended to safely get rid of water spots on cars. Towels and other regular clothes leave scratches on the car windows.
Avoid harsh chemicals that damage glass
The harsh chemicals damage the car windows and especially the window tints. So, use high-quality glass cleaners that are specifically designed for automotive use.
Follow a routine cleaning schedule
Try to follow a regular cleaning schedule to prevent water spots. Not cleaning the car for too long results in hardening of the water spots on the windows. Moreover, always instantly wash your car after exposure to rain, sprinkler water, or dusty environments.
Replace damaged wipers to prevent scratches
Worn-out wipers produce scratches on windows and do not wipe water drops properly. If the wipers are damaged, instantly replace them to avoid damaging expensive car windows.
Inspect glass for stains and scratches
Daily inspect your car windows for water spots, scratches, tint glue, or tree sap. Early detection lets you easily clean the window without damaging the surface. Whether it is a small water drop or tree sap, quickly removing it saves you time, effort, and money.
Conclusion
For spotless window cleaning, you must know how to get rid of water spots on car windows. With the right method, you can remove the water spots easily and without damage. You can use any of the 6 DIY methods, including vinegar solution, lemon juice, baking soda, clay bar, WD-40, and the toothpaste method. With these techniques, your windows will always sparkle.
FAQs
How do you remove stubborn water spots from windows?
To remove stubborn water spots from car windows, you use any of the following six solutions:
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- WD-40
- Toothpaste
- Clay bar
Among these 6, the clay bar method is only recommended for stubborn water spots. The process of using each of these solutions is described above in this article.
How can I prevent water spots on my car windows?
To prevent water spots on car windows, regularly wash the vehicle, use high-quality wax, park the car under shades, use the car covers, and apply water repellent on car windows.
Can I use regular household cleaners on car windows?
We do not recommend using harsh household cleaners because they can damage the glass and window tints. For DIY water spot removal, use natural solutions like vinegar or lemon juice.
How often should I clean my car windows to avoid water spots?
If your car mostly stays on the road or in an open area, clean the windows daily. On the other hand, if you drive the car less, park it under shade, and use the car cover, you can clean it on a weekly or monthly basis.
How do you get hard water spots off the glass?
You can use any of the 6 DIY methods mentioned in this guide to get rid of water spots on car windows. The best home-based or easily accessible items for removing hard water spots are vinegar, lemon juice, toothpaste, baking soda, WD-40, and clay bars.
