i have noticed about a few month into owning my IP coupe, that small rust like dots started to appear on the backside of my car. i try to rub them off, and only after a rigorous 4-5 min attempt to get rid of the spot, does the spot just start to fade away...but not completely. after a bad hail storm yesterday afternoon, i have begun to see the same type of "rust spots" on the hood and fenders of my car today. =[ what are these? and how can i get rid of them??
thanks in advance.

 

post a pic for better analysis

 

My guess would be rail dust. There are several posts in this forum about rail dust. Buy yourself a claybar kit (~$20 or so.. Meguiars and Mothers both have them available at most auto parts stores) and have at it. Then a fresh coat of polish and wax and you should be set.

If you want some hints about how to use clay bar, you can look on www.meguiarsonline.com

 

I agree with Jim. Basically it sounds like "raildust" which doesn't come just from trains and parking near train stations. Your exhaust will spit out fine metal particles which float and then land on your rear bumper where they settle. Once they get a little moisture, you'll see little tiny dots that begin to rust and form an almost prism like ring right around it.

Grab a good clay bar, wash the car, then spend some time claying the rear bumper. Use as directed, very easy! Just keep keep rubbing the clay over the troubled spots until it is free from residue. Then follow up with a few coats of wax!


www.gsquad.org

 

I agree with Jim. Basically it sounds like "raildust" which doesn't come just from trains and parking near train stations. Your exhaust will spit out fine metal particles which float and then land on your rear bumper where they settle. Once they get a little moisture, you'll see little tiny dots that begin to rust and form an almost prism like ring right around it.

Grab a good clay bar, wash the car, then spend some time claying the rear bumper. Use as directed, very easy! Just keep keep rubbing the clay over the troubled spots until it is free from residue. Then follow up with a few coats of wax!


www.gsquad.org

 

Just curious.........did you notice that there's more of these spots on areas that are facing the sky vs. the doors, qtr panels, bumpers?

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialists
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2003 AT Sedan / 2004 6MT Coupe

 

ahh.. ic ic.. thanks for all the responses..
wil: i have noticed these spots on the rear bumper of my car.. and just recently, on the hood and front fenders. not so much on the doors or anything. =[

 

It's likely environmental contaminants and oxidation that you are seeing on your car. The contaminants are airborne and generally land on the car while it's parked and get baked onto the very top layer of the clearcoat. All you need to do is clay these areas lightly.........keep in mind that even though many clay bar companies label their stuff as "clearcoat" or "paint" safe, the paint can get scratched if you are aggressive in the claying.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialists
Certified Paintless Dent Repair Technicians
VentureShield Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
2003 AT Sedan / 2004 6MT Coupe

 

One more thing........as the guys here already mentioned, after claying the area, be sure to follow up w/ a wax or sealant for paint protection.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialists
Certified Paintless Dent Repair Technicians
VentureShield Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
2003 AT Sedan / 2004 6MT Coupe

 

would there be any possible irreversible dmg if i dont take care of this asap?

 

If it is rail dust and contaminants, you risk the possibility of etching, which means it actually corrodes the surface of the clear coat. Your pobably not in any big trouble if you dont get it taken care within a month or so.

Using a clay bar really isnt that hard. Just straight back and forth motions.

What is the problem with doing it ASAP?

 

All this time I've been thinking it was because my wife parked the white Sequoia under the trees at her work. If it's an environmental issue then I should stop giving her a hard time about the trees.

One thing I noticed is that after a good coat of zaino, the "enviro-crud" seems to disappear for 3-4 months. All of a sudden it magically reappears (right about the time to re-zaino the big beast).

Finally, I've used zaino clay bar with GREAT SUCCESS at removing these little troublesome spots. Sometimes it takes some rubbing but they all come off. Just remember to use clean soapy water when claying the vehicle and you'll be set.

 

Leaveing the spots on the car will allow them to etch the paint as prevously mentioned. I would remove them as soon as possible.

When you have alot of them on your car, it is likley that you will be lightly scratching tha paint when u clay and I would recommend that you polish tha car afterwards.

Since your car is white this will not chow as much as would a black car.

And of course follow up with wax.

The only way to avoid this problem is to not drive the car and put it in a showroom, however the way I have found to minimize it is to always have wax on the car even if that means cleaning the car a couple of times per week and using the quik detailer afterwards. You will then need to add wax fairly often, I would say about 2 coats once a month.

Also I find that during the rainy season it is worse since most of the rusty dots are brake dust that has got into your clear coat and started to rust.

Good Luck.

 

I use carburator cleaner or 3M General Adhesive cleaner (same thing). It sucks that right out of the 'pores' of your paint w/o hurting the clear coat. You wipe the stuff off with a MF towel, and the surface is absolutely smooth.