Water stains on windows/mirrors….ideas to remove? (1 Viewer)

[sleepycruiser]

2011 LC200

My side mirrors have water stains on them. I tried vinegar, tried vinegar with baking soda and left it on there for awhile. I even tried scraping them off with a razor blade. Windows are the same, but not as noticeable.

Any ideas?

If not, can I just buy the mirrors instead of the entire mechanism?

 

[Leaky2014]

Grade 0000 steel wool and your preferred window cleaner.

 

[bloc]

My go-to for removing rain-X is glass polish compound and an appropriate pad on a DA polisher. This also works wonders with water spots. Would be tough on the side mirrors.. I’d probably remove the glass and do those on the bench.

 

[Kinnada]

i park my cruiser in a below grade garage at work that sometimes seeps highly calcified water from the ceiling, leaving pretty nasty water spots. ive been sparingly using simple green lime scale spray for years and it works like a charm. might be helpful if you have really difficult hard water stains. says 'organic' salt based active ingredient, not dangerous hydrochloric acid like some scale removers. test spot is advised on painted areas.

Simple Green Household Cleaning Products Line

Simple Green is the leader in high-quality, environmentally safer cleaning products. See our full product line for household, automotive and outdoor cleaning.

simplegreen.com

https://cdn.simplegreen.com/downloads/SDS_EN-AU_SimpleGreenLimeScaleRemover.pdf

 

[vipergrhd]

That must be some real hard water if even vinegar can't remove it. Just so you know the side mirror is not even real glass or even a mirror it's just a film on a plastic backing.
The window glass on the other hand can be saved try this product you can also use a detailers steel wool. Just to add not sure if your side mirror is a real mirror but I could be wrong.

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz - safeway

Shop Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz from safeway. Browse our wide selection of Specialty Surface Care for Delivery or Drive Up & Go to pick up at the store!

www.safeway.com

 

[Kinnada]

That must be some real hard water if even vinegar can't remove it. Just so you know the side mirror is not even real glass or even a mirror it's just a film on a plastic backing.
The window glass on the other hand can be saved try this product you can also use a detailers steel wool. Just to add not sure if your side mirror is a real mirror but I could be wrong.

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz - safeway

Shop Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz from safeway. Browse our wide selection of Specialty Surface Care for Delivery or Drive Up & Go to pick up at the store!

www.safeway.com

never thought about it at the time but i hit a mailbox with my right side mirror and it exploded like you would expect a glass mirror would, so without further research i would say it's a real mirror. not cheap either $$$.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Grade 0000 steel wool and your preferred window cleaner.

That won’t scratch the mirrors?

 

[KLF]

Do NOT use a Scotch Brite pad on glass. I learned that the hard way. Scratched the hell out of the window.

 

[jivewalker]

I tried everything to get water spots off my wifes windshield. According to a glass guy i know nothing works except cerium oxide and elbow grease followed by proper sealing. I read somewhere recently that a clay bar might work on some glass stains but havent tried. Magic eraser didnt work either. Good luck.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I tried everything to get water spots off my wifes windshield. According to a glass guy i know nothing works except cerium oxide and elbow grease followed by proper sealing. I read somewhere recently that a clay bar might work on some glass stains but havent tried. Magic eraser didnt work either. Good luck.

I’ve read about clay bar on paint to remove water spots, but not sure on glass. Probably take so much experimenting it could be cheaper to buy new mirrors.

 

[gaijin]

2011 LC200

My side mirrors have water stains on them. I tried vinegar, tried vinegar with baking soda and left it on there for awhile. I even tried scraping them off with a razor blade. Windows are the same, but not as noticeable.

Any ideas?

If not, can I just buy the mirrors instead of the entire mechanism?

Here's the real deal for your windshield water spots (Bon ami Original Formula on Amazon):

• The original formula since 1886
• Made with gentle feldspar for polishing and soap for cleaning
• Defogs windows and mirrors
• Cleans and polishes glass, windows, mirrors, porcelain, unlacquered metals, chrome, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic tile, cast iron cookware, whitewall tires, and tools
• Natural ingredients contain no detergent, bleach, perfume, or dye

I'm not sure about your mirrors, though. The mirrors on my 2013 LC200 look like they have a film over glass which might be scratched by even this stuff - I just don't know. Try a small area first, but worth a try.

HTH

 

[05ls430518]

Try a test spot with 100% pure acetone I use it to take anything off of glass windows. I took 2 year old concrete stains on a store fromt window off in 6 mins with acetone and elbow grease.

 

[nwfl4runner]

I use this stuff - it works:

Sud factory

 

[sleepycruiser]

Just tried some ‘Lime Away’. Didn’t work.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Vinegar

Is also an option.

 

[CharlieS]

I get ads for some detailer products that claim to remove water spots on glass. Maybe check in the detailer forums?

Spotless X2 Glass Water Spot Remover - Sud Factory

The World's #1 Water Spot Remover! Spotless X2 glass water spot remover is the only water spot remover in the world designed for all glass surfaces including windows on the home, cars, boats, appliances, shower glass doors, and more. Specially formulated to penetrate the deepest water spots...

sudfactory.com

 

[gasman4u]

I tried everything to get water spots off my wifes windshield. According to a glass guy i know nothing works except cerium oxide and elbow grease followed by proper sealing. I read somewhere recently that a clay bar might work on some glass stains but havent tried. Magic eraser didnt work either. Good luck.

I put on some window treatment a few months ago and the instructions specifically mentioned using a clay bar on the glass. It sounded weird to me too, but even after thorough initial cleaning steps the glass did "feel" smoother following the clay bar.

NOT recommending this, but I know a guy who used a razor blade to scrape his. He said it took a long time and he was very careful to not apply too much pressure on the edges. His glass did look better, but I wouldn't have done it to my rig.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I put on some window treatment a few months ago and the instructions specifically mentioned using a clay bar on the glass. It sounded weird to me too, but even after thorough initial cleaning steps the glass did "feel" smoother following the clay bar.

NOT recommending this, but I know a guy who used a razor blade to scrape his. He said it took a long time and he was very careful to not apply too much pressure on the edges. His glass did look better, but I wouldn't have done it to my rig.

I’ve tried the razor blade (carefully) and I think that is going to be the route I take. This stuff is ON there.

 

[gasman4u]

I’ve tried the razor blade (carefully) and I think that is going to be the route I take. This stuff is ON there.

I just saw a plastic razor blade as another potential option for you. They sell them online (detailed image, autogeek, etc) and I'm guessing you could get one today at big box home improvement stores.

Plastic may add another level of forgiveness vs the metal blades.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I just saw a plastic razor blade as another potential option for you. They sell them online (detailed image, autogeek, etc) and I'm guessing you could get one today at big box home improvement stores.

Plastic may add another level of forgiveness vs the metal blades.

Even the metal razor blades aren’t working.