Chalky white marks on your bonnet and roof that do not wash off are usually calcium deposits. They are common in Brisbane, and they are worth dealing with early.
Where they come from
Hard water carries dissolved minerals. When sprinkler overspray, rain or a rinse dries on hot paint, the water evaporates and the minerals stay behind. In strong sun the deposits can bake on.
Why you should not leave them
Left on, the minerals can etch into the clear coat. At that point the marks are part of the paint surface rather than sitting on it, and washing will not shift them.
How they are removed
Light deposits often lift with the right chemical products used carefully. Etched marks need machine polishing to level the surface, which is part of our paint correction work. We assess the paint before choosing the approach so no more clear coat is removed than necessary.
Avoid these mistakes
- Do not scrub with abrasive pads or rough cloths, which scratch the paint.
- Do not dry hard water on the car in direct sun.
- Do not use harsh household cleaners on paint.
Preventing it coming back
Dry the car after washing, avoid parking within reach of sprinklers, and consider a ceramic coating, which makes water bead and run off instead of sitting and drying. Our car maintenance service also keeps contamination from building up.
Have marks you cannot shift? Send us a few photos and we will tell you what is possible.