rangerr91,

I'm not sure how your dealership treats it but I assume you're still under warranty. I just picked up my silver 04 on 3/30 and today I also noticed the small specs that were diagnosed as "raildust", I originally though it was overspray from my liner but was told differently. Stopped at selling dealership, paint/body mgr saw the truck and scheduled an appt for next WED. Said it would take approx 2 days, until late Thurs to have the truck "cleaned". You might want to try the same route.

 

Clay does not work by abrasion (at least not destructive abrasion) but it can become destructively abrasive if it gets contaminated with sand like you say.

Quote from the following link:

"The final solution, a special clay bar, was developed in Japan nearly five years ago. This clay safely removes rail dust and industrial fallout by "pulling" it off the surface. It does not "cut" or perform any abrasive action normally associated with polishing or compounding."


http://www.properautocare.com/usclaybartor.html

The clay can become abrasive from contaminates when rubbing the clay bar on the vehicle.

Quote from the following link:

"Tech notes: Car must be clean and dry before using clay. To properly preserve your Wolfgang Poly Clay, spray it with Wolfgang Clay Lubricant and store it in a sealed plastic bag. Store clay at a moderate temperature. It will last through seven to ten applications if cared for this way. It’s time for a new clay bar when contaminant particles are visible or the clay, itself, doesn’t seem to absorb debris any longer.

To use: Before each use knead the clay to expose a fresh, unused surface. Spray a small area of your car’s surface with Wolfgang Clay Lubricant. Using moderate pressure, pass clay across the paint until you don’t feel any more “grabbing.” The clay will move freely when all pollutants have been removed. Be sure to keep the car well lubed. Check clay often for any particles that might scratch the surface, and shave them off ."

http://www.premiumautocare.com/woelpoclbar.html

 

I have the same problem with my 03 Screw, which is white. My wifes car, a 99 White Malibu also had these spots. We took her car back to the dealer when we noticed it and they removed the spots. However, they came back. Like someone has already said, you have to get really close to see them.
My personal opinion is they must be caused by iron in the water you are using to wash with. Wifes car is 5 years old and these have not caused a problem.

 

Yep I have the same problem with my 98 white F150 XL. I use "claying" to get em out. About a week after I bought the truck I went to wash it and noticed them. Took it back to the dealership and they explained that it was enviromental damage caused by railroad dust, factory fallout etc. They clayed it for me the first time and now I do it about once every 3 or 4 mos. I have tryed every kind of wax out there and nothing seems to stop them from returning. It's annoying to say the least. You would think that they could figure a way to keep this from happening.

 

True but, you have to consider how they're occuring. It's nothing you're doing (unless you're intentionally parking near a railroad or airport (or similar)). The friction generated between the railcar 'wheels' and the rail itself is what's causing the 'rail dust' as it's nicknamed. This metal on metal friction causes small particles to shoot away from the friction point. These pieces are very hot and thus, they slightly 'melt' into clearcoating that is on the surface.

The good news, the clearcoat is there to take the brunt blow of the fallout/dust. The bad news, it requires some type of friction to remove them with products like clay or similar.

It's one of those situations that falls into the catch 22 catergory. *shrugs*

RP

 

I have a question/Theory...(I'm not a detailer, so take this as you will...) just something that popped into my head...

Isn't one of the ingredients of any type of white paint iron oxide??

I will see if I can google up some info...

just a thought...

 

I'm not sure as to the answer to that question but, I'm sure we could dig up an MSDS somewhere for someone's white paint.

The key is that it can be removed though. The paint is covered with clearcoating, or clear paint, to protect the colored paint. Thus, if you can remove the oxide compound, it must be located on the surface of the clearcoating as you don't have access to the colored paint.

RP

 

I guess after a brief amount of research, the term I was thinking of was "Titanium dioxide"...Like I said, it was just a thought...

We now return to the previously scheduled "RockPick Imparts Knowledge"

 

I have been fighting these "spots" on my 2000 since new (oxford white). My initial thought was it's dust from the brakes that gradually accumulates and eventually rusts. Not sure if that's what's causing them, but it explains their eventual return. I have also seen these spots on some silver colored vehicles, so I do not believe it's a white paint issue. It's some work, but the clay bar does remove them. I can't say it gets worse or better based on how frequently you wash.