Help - Limescale on my paint!

[Greg964]

Help!
It appears my garage roof has sprung a leak and water has been dripping onto my car door. Now i'm left with some pretty nasty limescale streaks that wont come off with soap and warm water. I can scratch bits of the scale off with a fingernail but it looks like its scratching the paint I've also tried safecut and that didnt seem to do much either.

What are my options?

[Magic919]

Try vinegar or lemon juice.

[530dTPhil]

Household cleaner called Viakal is great for shifting limescale. I have no idea if it will attack paint/lacquer, so testing it would be essential.
There are no warnings on the bottle about testing; it's intended for bathroom use on enamel, taps etc. It doesn't seem to be aggressive so might be worth a try.

[waxaholic]

a solution of white vinegar and water dabbed on will disolve the limescale.

[spearsy]

I would try clay bar.

[waxaholic]

claying over limescale which is hard will damage the paintwork

[Tim Bomford]

spearsy said:

I would try clay bar.

I hope thats a joke Tony?

A serious suggestion that has worked well for me is a solution of fallout remover. I used Autoglym fallout remover and it was ok but not great. I then used Autosmart Treble X for a similar problem. Apply, leave to soak and rinse the limescale off.
Under NO circumstances scrub of you will mark the paint for definate.
I have heard (but no idea if true) that the same active ingredient found in fallout remover can also be found in Meguiars wheel brightener if you have any?
Best wishes
Tim

[kds keltec]

spearsy said:

I would try clay bar.

The last thing i would try for this problem !!!!

[mneame]

good luck with this one. must admit, not something i'd like to tackle. i agree not to go with the claybar for this one. I'd be tempted to try the vinegar route. be sure to go over with a wax / protectant afterwards though. good luck and let us know how you get on.

[gleammachine]

Would advise a touchless approach, like Tim recommended something like a fallout remover, apply and leave to dwell and soften followed by rinsing of.

[grumbledoak]

Sadly, I don't know what the Eastern Europeans near to me used when I had a similar problem, they just looked at the stain and went to get some kind of spray. Worked a treat, but no help to you.

I'd try a weak vinegar solution, and either dab it on gently, or use one of those water-spray things so you don't touch it at all.

[Greg964]

Thanks very much for the replies guys, they are really appreciated. I've simply not had a chance to sort this yet, but will try the vinegar solution approach and let you know how i get on.

[Greg964]

Guys, a MASSIVE thanks for the vinegar tip !!!
It worked like magic

[gleammachine]

Glad you got it sorted, without any damage.

[Envy Valeting]

Great news, a nice simple home remedy. Good as new, just need to fix where it came from now;)
Best Wishes
Tim

[waxaholic]

glad you got it sorted