"Rust Spots" is the only thing I could think of to describe what I found on my truck. After my first Northeast winter, it finally got warm enough (high 30's) to finally wash the snow residue and dirt off my truck. I found these little spots that almost look like rock chips on the sides of my truck (nothing on the front or hood). However, they look rusted. Also, my receiver hitch has visible rust all over it. I was not brave enough to look under the truck...wasn't ready for what I might see.

Could this all be a result of the salt on the roads? Is this something the dealer will take care of, and if not, any ideas on a best plan of attack? Good news is I am moving to Phoenix in a month, so goodbye snow. Maybe it would be a good idea to deal with a dealer down there.

 

I can't help much on the hitch...sounds like prep and paint may be your only line of retaliation on that...

The spots on the side...are they VERY VERY tiny?

Can you share some pictures with us?

 

No, it isn't a warranty item. Surface rust is normal and expected on vehicles up North where they salt the roads. The only way it is warranty is if the body rusts completely through (a hole you can see through).
The spots on the paint are from airborne contaminants. Some good detail work with a clay bar will take them off. Read up in the detailing forum for more info.

 

Every year at this time when the Northeast starts to warm up I'm able to hand wash my truck and I usually find tiiny rust spots on my doors and hood. The only way that I can get them off is to use a clay bar and then use a cleaner wax and then use a high quality wax. Then I think about moving south!!

 

all you need to do is get clay magic rub to remove wax after no big deal it just looks that way.M.W.

 

I have a seven month old 04 F150. It also has numorus tiny rust spots all over the body. The same on a number of my friends F150's. All o4's. I wonder if they had metal chips in the clear coat. Any Idea's?

 

Probably along the same lines of the original poster's problems. Do a search for 'CLAY' here in the detailing forum and you'll find a WEALTH of information.

RP

 

i would think it is rail dust or just some fall out. a good cleaning like most others mentioned here with a clay bar then waxing should take care of it.

 

I have an 04 F150 and it was doing the same thing. I have only had my truck for 6 months and on the front and back bumpers and they were both chipped and looked like they were rusting. My front bumper looked horrible, back one wasnt that bad. So I brought it to the stealership and they said no problem.....both bumpers are being repainted as we speak . Service advisor said it must of been a bad prep job and paint. Good luck to you......I know how some of these stealerships can be. Always want to sell you something and when something goes wrong with it they dont care.