Water spotting on windows

melford, Feb 19, 8:45pm
Is anyone else having this problem - is it the water quality in our area or defective glass in the windows?
booksgoboom, Feb 19, 11:14pm
Hi Dianne,

Is it all your windows this is happening to? Have you got a sprinkler system? Usually, water spotting on windows occurs when mains water is left on the glass to dry, so shouldn't happen just from rain water.
melford, Feb 20, 1:00pm
yes it is happening to all windows. Surely other people use sprinkler systems without having their windows permanently spotted I would have thought the glass would have been treated to withstand this which makes me think the glass is defective in some way
martin11, Feb 20, 1:07pm
Its the water in Rangiora we get it also on our windows . Glass is not defective
colin433, Feb 20, 1:24pm
we bought a bus, jap import. it had spotty windows, unfortunately not seen at the time of purchase.
We had that bus for years, and never managed to get rid of the spots. A very expensive, guaranteed to remove spots preparation, failed to remove them, and the manufacturer refused to honor the guarnatee, saying we should rub harder. We did, and got scratches on the glass.
booksgoboom, Feb 20, 5:55pm
Unfortunately, not. I often get asked about this (I restore shower glass) and explain to customers that it's the exact same process that causes spotting on their shower glass units (mains water sitting on the glass, heat and light make the water evaporate, leaving the minerals behind). It's rarely permanent damage, but if you did get your glass back to clear, the damage would return unless the sprinklers were moved/turned off.
booksgoboom, Feb 20, 5:56pm
Can you tell us which product this was?
socram, Feb 20, 7:41pm
I asked a similar question regarding water spotting on a dark car.

Warm engine + hot sun + light rain shower = waterspotting. One helpful poster put in a link and it seems that maybe white vinegar was worth a try.

I see no reason why it wouldn't work on window glass.
gilligee, Feb 20, 7:55pm
PLEASE tell us your secret?
martin11, Feb 21, 10:56am
It is well known to others ,but apparently not to you that in some areas the water staining actually etches into the glass and is very difficult to remove if not impossible if left on too long . .
i.e North Canterbury , Marlborough , Hurunui for some near to where you are
melford, Feb 22, 9:10pm
Why did my previous windows not get water spotted and could easily be washed with the garden hose yet these new double glazed ones are water spotted and not etched into the glass as with considerable effort and a water spot remover they can be removed. The council say our rangiora water is sourced from an aquifier so it is pure
omamari, Feb 23, 6:23am
When your council say the water is pure, I think they mean free of bacteria, The water would still contain minerals
melford, Feb 23, 7:58am
Thank you for all the helpful replies.
scout_6001, Feb 23, 4:51pm
We get water marks on our windows after the sprinkler has been used. I make up a mixture of water, white vinegar and dishwash liquid. Slap it on with a soft brush, give it a good scrub and rinse off with cold water, wipe the excess water off with a cloth. Repeat if need be.
ceebee2, Feb 28, 12:56pm
Had same with imorted car and removed them successfully using G3 paste compound from Repco / applied it with damp sponge fitting in cordless drill and ground it on low speed. (Keep away from painted edges)
Removed it all.
Used same system in my glass shower which alkso removed the water spotting. Must keep it damp though all the time.
bryshaw, Feb 28, 1:44pm
Try a dry polipad and rub on dry window. You will notice it takes off all film, then wash and squeagy.
colin433, Mar 2, 8:11pm
Sorry, haven't been on here for a while.I can't remember the name of the product, it was a greyish powder that I was later told it was finely ground pumice. (that's probably why it scratched when we rubbed harder) We bought it through Mitre 10.
thistle4, Mar 7, 2:31pm
We had a badly marked window. Got it clean and then used Rainex on it. Water doesn't sit on the glass at all now. We have it on our glass shower door as well.
melford, Mar 7, 2:36pm
thanks thistle - how did you get it cleaned before you used the Rainex?
thistle4, Mar 9, 2:10pm
I didn't, my husband did. I think he just used soapy water and one of those non scratch pads and elbow grease.
macandrosie, Mar 9, 4:27pm
We got water spotting after having the house sprayed for spiders years ago. Have never been able to get rid of them. Used wet & forget window witch but they still remain.
dutch9, Dec 12, 9:00am
There is a product we use from Pacer Automotive Products to remove water spotting on car windows . Try Repco or some other similar outlet for a similar product .