Can I Leave Water Spots On My Car – How To Prevent Them

How long can a car go without contact with water unless parked in a garage, and even that isn’t a guarantee?

You have to wash your car, drive in the rain, drive through puddles, and sometimes, other people’s actions can get water on your car.

While these unavoidable things can happen, many people tend to ignore the water on their car till it dries and leaves spots, but is that okay?

Quick Answer

As a general rule, you shouldn’t leave water spots on your car because the spots can become permanent and ruin your car’s aesthetics, and even worse, damage the paint job and even cause your car to corrode. 

Water spots can cause problems for your car’s finish, and you shouldn’t treat it with levity.

Consistently leaving water to dry on your car will cause water spots on it, and the consequences are things you shouldn’t have to deal with when you can avoid it.

Find out how to prevent and remedy water spots on your car.

Can I Leave Water Spots On My Car?

Water spots occur when you leave water droplets to dry on your car, and they can sometimes contaminate it.

Some people may think it’s no big deal and neglect it, but it’s not always the case.

Quick Answer

In total, you shouldn’t leave water spots on your car because they are full of contaminants and, if left on vehicles for an extended period, can damage the car’s finish and aesthetics.

Water spots, whether etching or hard water spots, aren’t great for your vehicle, and the worst type is the etching because that means it has eaten into your car’s clear coat.

You must prevent water spots from developing on your car. That way, no damage can be done to your vehicle.

While you can’t stop rain from falling on your car or refrain from washing it, here are what you can do to prevent water spots on your vehicle:

  • Dry your car using a damp microfiber towel after rain, washing, or contact with water.
  • Remove water from inaccessible areas of your car using pressured air.
  • Use a drying aid or detailer spray when drying your car.
  • Use low-pressure water to rinse the car to clear water droplets from panels.
  • Don’t wash your car under direct sunlight to prevent water from drying off on it.
  • Don’t park your car near water sprinklers.
  • Rinse your car with deionised water.
  • Rinse your car with low-pressure water after the rain.
  • Apply a sealant, hydrophobic wax or ceramic coating on the car.
  • Check your car for water spots occasionally and remove them quickly.

What Happens If I Leave Water Spots On My Car?

Water drops getting on cars are inevitable, but you can prevent them from happening.

However, if you leave water spots on your car for one reason or another, what’s likely to happen?

Quick Answer

As a whole, a few things happen if you leave water spots on your car, and they point to the finish’s damage. Water spots leave minerals and corrosives behind and can be bad for your car; these spots can get bigger if you do nothing about them and can eventually dent your car’s paint.

Water spots on cars aren’t a good outlook.

Water spots vary from hard water spots, which are the commonest and can be hard to remove, then bonded material which occurs due to acid rain, and etching water spots that affect the clear coat and cause permanent damage to your car.

Thankfully, there are solutions to removing water spots before they worsen. The solutions include:

  • Using white vinegar or citrus cleaners to remove spots.
  • Washing the car and drying with a microfiber towel or pressured air.
  • Using a clay bar to remove stubborn marks.
  • Wiping with polish and a polish pad.
  • Wet sanding the paint.

Conclusion

Water spots on cars are budding finish problems that you must pay attention to.

Ensure you prevent water spots on your car through the preventive measures you read in this article.

The most crucial thing to do is to monitor your car for water spots so you can tackle them quickly before they become a problem.  

Key Takeaways:

  • Don’t leave water spots on your car to prevent problems with your car’s finish,
  • Applying a sealant or ceramic coating can prevent water spots,
  • Never leave the water to dry on your car to prevent water spots,
  • Always watch out for water spots for quick fixing
Jan-Lucas Ganssauge
Jan-Lucas Ganssauge