There is only one thing worse then a chromed out bike that is dirty and that is a chromed out bike FULL and COVERED in water spots. I went with a new soap this time when I washed it before waxing and detailing it. It's Eagle One "enviro-wash" car soap. I have never had this issue, ever! I have been detailing cars and bikes for 40 years now and if I do say so myself I am very good at it. I have NEVER seen anything like this though. I went over the entire bike after I dried it with Windex and it still won't touch these damn water spots and I mean I rubbed hard too. I took an area of the bike that can't be seen and I even hit it with Wesley's white stuff, that still didn't phase these water spots. I hit it with rubbing compound, still spotted. Mother's detailing compound, still spotted. I don't want to try wax yet because I don't want to "seal" these water spots under the wax. Also, if all that other stuff didn't remove these water spots I don't even think the wax will remove these spots! I am just stumped, never have I ever seen anything like this! As much as I hate to admit this and say this because of how long I have been doing this but I honestly don't know what to try next. Anyone have any idea's? I honestly can't believe I am asking for help with this but I have never seen anything like this, tried all the tricks I know of and still...spotted over the entire bike, painted and chromed surfaces. I have a bike rally and Memorial run this weekend. If I can't get these spots off, it's not leaving my garage. It's embarrassing the way it now look's. Go easy on me guy's, it's not easy asking for help with something that I have done for years and would seem so easy to deal with.

 

then................






sorry ... I am not much help lol

 

.. can't help with the water shots except to say, next time try S-100, then a thorough rinse followed by drying with a leaf blower, then hit everything with a microfiber...
This problem is one of the reasons why I elected to go with (as someone mentioned here) the "chrome delete package"...

 

You could try this, it might work.

 

Try glass cleaner with a white scotch brite pad.... It has to be the white ones any other will scratch the hell out of everything!

 

 

Sweet on the white vinegar. After I hit send on my thread, Vinegar popped into mind and I don't know why but it did. I'm off to Walmart at midnight to buy a bottle so it's here 1st thing in the morning.

 

Vinegar will work pretty well if the spots are caused by dissolved minerals in the water, which have dried on the surface. Like many products for dissolving lime and mineral scale, it's a mild acid. I used to use it all the time to get persistent water spots off of the chrome on my boat. If there's heavy buildup, it can help to lay a paper towel moistened with it on the area and let it sit for a bit.

I'm not sure that's what you have going on though, because it sounds like you're using the same water you've always used. However, it's possible that the new soap you are using doesn't contain "water softeners" or "sheeting agents" (think Cascade dishwashing detergent which isn't supposed to leave spots), so maybe it could still be mineral deposits.

 

Thanks for that info Warp Factor and all you other's who commented. I have never seen anything like this but yes, same water, new soap. It has to be the soap. I have washed this bike probably more than anyone else has washed their bike in the past year, at least 20 times and I had a spot here and there but nothing like this, ever. I had a gallon of this soap but it is now sitting at the bottom of my trash can. I had to work on that bike most of yesterday and I need all of today to try to remove these spots then finish out the detailing. There is no way I would use this crap on my car's either, especially my 78 Biarritz. Again I say, your never to old to learn and asking question's is one of the reasons of what this site is for. You just have to humble yourself to ask questions that's not always easy to do. My O.P. may sound trivial or seem like a dumb question, especially for how long I have been detailing vehicles but this turned out to be anything BUT easy. Sand blasting, of course, is not an option. I'm also surprised I only got dinged by one other member! I was sure I was going to get replies when opening this site today ranging from everything from here is what to do to fix this to what an ******* and dumb ***** I am for asking such a question, but "it is what it is".!!!

 

Couple of things, the water with which you wash your bike may have been softened by a method called "ion exchange". This method utilizes sodium (salt) to remove the hard particulates from the source water. Although the method rarely increases the sodium content of the finished water, there are some particulates suspended within the water. Then when water is heated to over those suspended particles fall out of solution. Essentially the same thing happens when that water is allowed to evaporate on any surface, the result will be what ever was suspended in the water will remain. I have found that for the most part, a mild soap contain a lemon additive will relieve most the issue. Foremost make sure that the surface to be washed is as cool to the touch as possible and that all remaining water is removed before it can air dry. I feel that a chamois does the best job. Then you can wax or polish as desired.