If you live in a hard water area there are two things that will be common occurrences: ruined kettles and water spots on your paintwork after cleaning your car, which makes using the best water spot removers possible so important. They are small, but incredibly frustrating once you notice them. But in the world of car cleaning it’s another step to ensuring your car has an immaculate body.
Water spot removers are slightly more niche than your standard car cleaning kits or car shampoos. Instead, they’re formulated only for that specific job in mind with perhaps a few benefits attached.
There are different kinds which include water spot removers designed for metal, glass, or both. You can even decide between having a spray or gel when removing the water spots, depending on the surface needs.
The best water spot removers at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Gtechniq W9 Water Spot Remover – buy from Amazon.
The best water spot remover for glass: Mothers Glass Water Spot Remover- buy from Amazon.
The best gel-based water remover: Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover – buy from eBay
The best water spot removers
Editor's pick
It’s safe to apply on all paint surfaces and glass, which means no more horrible water streaks on the windscreen. Another reason why we’re championing Gtechniq is how easy it is to apply; it’s a simple spray followed by buffing with a microfibre towel. All you need to do is make sure our car is out of direct sunlight, the bottle is well shaken and you’re wearing gloves.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good capacity
Cons
- Car needs to be out of direct sunlight before use
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Type | Spray |
The best water spot remover for wiping
For even more stubborn water spots, it’s possible to spray it directly onto the panel and wipe away, but this shouldn’t be necessary for most occasions.
Pros
- Safe for use on ceramic coating
- Easy to use
Cons
- Needs multiple wipes for it to be effective
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Type | Spray |
the best water spot cleaner for glass
It's a truly comprehensive solution when it comes to bugbears on exterior glass. What's more, it can be applied to the wing mirrors as well to keep maximum visibility at hand.
Pros
- Can tackle a number of different stains and spots
- Good value for money
Cons
- Only designed for windows and mirrors
| Capacity | 355ml |
| Type | Spray |
The best heavy-duty water spot remover
It comes in a 473ml bottle and clings to vertical surfaces. Ideal for, say, the side panels of a car.
Pros
- Very effective water spot remover
- Useful on multiple materials
Cons
- Smaller capacity than others
| Capacity | 473ml |
| Type | Gel |
The best gel-based water spot remover
Chemical Guys recommend coating the bodywork with a layer of wax or sealant after use. This is simply to prevent future water spots from appearing, giving your car a nice, streak-free finish.
Pros
- Very effective against water spots
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Requires quite a few extra detailing steps for the best finish
| Capacity | 473ml |
| Type | Gel |
Why does water leave spots on paintwork?
If you’re using water to wash your car straight from the tap then you’re bound to end up with a few water spots, thanks to all the minerals found in regular tap water. Water spots are thin layers of limescale, which is the same substance that ruins kettles.
Can I prevent water spots?
You can spend a lot of money on filtering the water you put through your pressure washer, the compact sort or otherwise, just to ensure that water is de-ionised and free of the minerals that cause water spots. This requires a fairly hefty purifier to cope with supplying a pressure washer, so this solution is probably best left to a professional detailer.
Any other way that doesn’t require re-plumbing my home?
Aside from these sprays, there are a couple of techniques you can apply to minimise the chances of water spots accumulating. The first thing is to work out of direct sunlight, as the sun will cause the water to evaporate quicker and leave the mineral deposit behind.
Also, think about how you apply your car shampoo. It’s best to work a panel at a time to reduce the chance of the shampoo (and water) drying out on your paintwork leaving marks over your paint.
Why should I bother?
Water spots aren’t the worst contaminants that can embed themselves in a car’s paintwork, so it can be easy to ignore the problem. One big reason for getting on top of water spots is that, when they are left to fester, they can eventually embed themselves into the clear coat and require polishing out.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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