H ow quickly do water spots and etching form, from rainwater, dripping from trees?

[TheZ06andFoxbody]

I park my 1991 Mustang outside. A couple days ago, I noticed that it had rained and there were what looked like cloudy water spots all over my car. Looked like dust had accumulated and then dried. I tried washing my car today, and upon looking closely there are water spots all over; with possible etching.


Could this have happened in two days from rainwater? The spots may have been there before but honestly I may not have noticed them. Only had the car a couple weeks. I’m worried I’ve now ruined the paint by parking the car outside. How likely is it that these were old spots? The car has a coat of Chadwick’s extreme ceramic coating and beads fantastically.

[Nick Winn]

Re: H ow quickly do water spots and etching form, from rainwater, dripping from trees

I park my 1991 Mustang outside. A couple days ago, I noticed that it had rained and there were what looked like cloudy water spots all over my car. Looked like dust had accumulated and then dried. I tried washing my car today, and upon looking closely there are water spots all over; with possible etching.


Could this have happened in two days from rainwater? The spots may have been there before but honestly I may not have noticed them. Only had the car a couple weeks. I’m worried I’ve now ruined the paint by parking the car outside. How likely is it that these were old spots? The car has a coat of Chadwick’s extreme ceramic coating and beads fantastically.

Yes, it is absolutely possible but I also wouldn't worry too much that you have damaged the paint permanently.