[ArizonaErik]

Hey guys, anyone have experience with some water discoloration on your vinyl? Hard water here in AZ and previous owner didn't seem to do a good job treating it over the years.
Any recommended steps or cleaning products would be appreciated.

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by ArizonaErik

Hey guys, anyone have experience with some water discoloration on your vinyl? Hard water here in AZ and previous owner didn't seem to do a good job treating it over the years.
Any recommended steps or cleaning products would be appreciated.

Don't know how to address that but to keep it from happening more get a filter setup like this for washing.



Filter and softener. Less than $100, plus no more drying.

[chiefneil]

That sucks, but I think is almost inevitable in that particular spot since IIRC it's where the door's drain is located. Although since it doesn't rain much in Phoenix it wouldn't be too hard to wipe it down after driving in the rain once you're back in the garage.

I'm sure you're aware, living in AZ, there's only 2 ways to get rid of hard water marks. You either scrub (ie abrade) it off, or you dissolve it off. Both are tricky given you're working with a soft, thin vinyl.

If you go for the dissolve method (which involves some form of acid) try it first in a small, inconspicuous spot. Typical stuff is CLR, vinegar, etc. Tons of water spot removers out there at Home Depot and Target. If you have white vinegar sitting around the house try that first, if not then CLR is a pretty popular product I see everywhere. Again, be careful and test first!

Scrubbing would be much trickier since you'd probably alter the sheen of the vinyl in the area where you scrubbed, so I'd try the dissolve method first.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

That sucks, but I think is almost inevitable in that particular spot since IIRC it's where the door's drain is located.

+1, even if you wipe the car dry water in the door will weep for quite a while afterwards. That's another good reason for Optimum No Rinse, water doesn't get into the doors or door frames.

[vooonoo]

Try clay barring it after the car is fully dry

[enjoythemusic]

303 Aerospace , especially for your bright sun situation.

[7iM3less]

You can use Maguire's "back to black" to probably remove/hide some of that.

[MSCD]

Try asking Zach on the link What Can I Do for You? https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1196641 he may have a option.

[ArizonaErik]

Originally Posted by MSCD

Try asking Zach on the link What Can I Do for You? https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1196641 he may have a option.

Just dropped a post. Appreciate the link.. -E

[MSCD]

Good luck. Let us know what the answer is if successful!

[MSCD]

Was cleaning my car today and thought I should mention using one of these to get rid of excess water. Reduces the drips after your done!

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ArizonaErik

Hey guys, anyone have experience with some water discoloration on your vinyl? Hard water here in AZ and previous owner didn't seem to do a good job treating it over the years.
Any recommended steps or cleaning products would be appreciated.

Are you sure it’s hard water or the lubricant stuff that drips down there from the door drain on everyone’s BMW?

[SoCal_NSX]

Believe it or not selsun blue shampoo works great for removing hard water stains. Discovered that when trying to clean my shave mirror in the shower....

For anything else like hard to clean brake dust that just won't budge, use Purple Power. That stuff is amazing for cleaning wheels so if the less powerful shampoo trick doesn't work try a little dab of that stuff.

[ArizonaErik]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Are you sure itÂ’s hard water or the lubricant stuff that drips down there from the door drain on everyoneÂ’s BMW?

Not sure, could be that as well. Have only owned the car for a few weeks so still learning about all of the different nuances.
I just saw the water dripping down that spot and assumed it to be that, now I know there could be more to it. Thanks!