How to Remove Stubborn Water Stains from a Sunroof?
3 Answers
Take one dry and one damp cloth. First, use the damp cloth to clean both sides of the glass, then use the dry cloth dipped in a small amount of alcohol to vigorously wipe the glass to remove the water stains. Similar to the steps using alcohol, but these specialized cleaners are more effective. Dip a towel in a bit of cleaner, scrub hard, and then wipe clean with a dry towel. Take an appropriate amount of toothpaste, apply it to the water stains, then wipe with a soft towel. Repeat several times and rinse with water. If none of the above methods work, you can only go to a car detailing shop to sand the sunroof glass and then polish it to restore it to like-new condition.
I've also had these water stains on my car sunroof before, which are mineral deposits left when rainwater isn't wiped dry in time. First rinse with clean water to soften the stains, then spray a 1:1 white vinegar solution and let it sit for 5 minutes to break down the minerals. Use a microfiber cloth to scrub in circular motions with some force - darker stains may require a few extra passes. Finally, remember to rinse off the vinegar smell thoroughly, or it might attract insects. Try to avoid parking under trees when possible, as leaves and dust mixed with rainwater tend to leave worse stains. When washing your car on weekends, remember to wipe the sunroof edges - preventing water stains is much easier than removing them. I've found glass cleaners work too, but avoid abrasive formulas that might damage the coating.
I have a unique trick for dealing with water stains on the sunroof. These marks are mostly calcium deposits left after hard water evaporation. Buying a bottle of citric acid from the supermarket works wonders. Dilute it with water as instructed, spray it on, wait ten minutes, and even stubborn stains will lift. A microfiber cloth will wipe them right off. During the rainy season, it's best to clean the sunroof tracks monthly, using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove dirt from the crevices. Once, I neglected it for three months, and the drain holes got clogged, causing water to accumulate and leaving stains that looked like a map. Now, I always keep a waterless cleaning paste handy in the car for quick and easy touch-ups.
