I have searched the forum for comments on rail dust, and just wanted to get a little input from some of you guys on my particular situation. I bought a new 04 F150 worktruck in July of 04. Before I closed the deal on the truck, I noticed that the truck had rust covering the entire truck, and I don't mean a little rust, I mean everywhere, completely covering all body panels. They had another truck on the lot with the same options as mine, but it too had rail dust, and just as bad as my truck. They promised me they could get it all off with the clay bar. I buy the truck, but I don't take it home with me, as I want the rail dust removed before I take delivery. It stays there 2 days, and when I go to pick it up, it isn't ready. I needed the truck, so I took it anyway. I came back about a week later and left the truck to be worked on for a second time. Picked it up at the promised time, it was supposedly "ready", but it still had rail dust all over. At about 11,000 miles I had some warranty issues with the brakes, tires, and fuel door, so I figured I would let them sort the rail dust while it was there. The service department calls me and tells me the truck is ready. I go to pick the truck up, and the brakes have not been touched, and there is STILL rail dust all over the truck. I leave the truck and tell them I don't want them to call me until every warranty issue is fixed. The general manager calls me and tells me that they can't afford to keep working on my rail dust problem, and it has to be something I am doing to cause all the rust (even though my salesman acknowledges that the truck was completely covered in rail dust). I tell him that is not the case, and he basically calls me a liar. i get a call later that my truck is ready. Upon walking up to the truck, I immediately spot rail dust, and by now, my paint looks like s--t from being gone over with the clay so many times. They tried waxing it, but the paint still looks hazy, even on a white truck, like the clear is basically gone. I let them know that the truck is not right, but take it anyway, and tell them I hope I never have to bring it back there for anything. While washing my truck today, I noticed alot of rail dust still all over the truck, especially in the areas that they can't get to with the clay. I don't live or work near railroad tracks, I live in E. North Carolina where cars don't rust for 20-30 years. Any input would be greatly appreciated, as ford customer service says that removing rail dust is the dealers job, and now that my paint looks like crap and I still have rail dust, I am not sure what I can get the dealer to do about it. I sure as heck don't want a brand new truck to be repainted over rail dust.

Thanks, and sorry for the long post.

Chris

 

This is going to sound completely idiotic, but since your dealer is a useless turd, you will have to be proactive and take care of the problem yourself.

Here comes the idiotic part: You could give the entire vehicle a wash down with undiluted antifreeze from a pressurized container. One of those pump-up things that yard chemicals are sprayed with will work fine. The anti rust properties of the antifreeze may be just enough to loosen the metal particles so they can be washed off.

I would powerwash it afterwards, then give it a good wash with some Dawn liquid dish soap. Get a clay bar kit and do the whole truck, rewash, allow to dry, then buff with PC. If you don't have a PC, now you have a reason to get one.

Good luck with it.

SL

 

I'd like to offer a word of caution here. Before doing anything else to remove the "rail dust" - if that's what it really was - I'd want to know what shape your finish is really in right now. Why would I want to know that? First of all, the last time most dealers saw a clay bar was in 3rd grade art class. That would mean the likelihood of them actually having used one on your truck is pretty remote.

Second, the answer to most paint problems at most dealers is a rotary buffer and rubbing compound. As you might know, those two can be very dangerous - even in professional hands. That combination can remove a good deal (or all) of your clear coat pretty quick. If that's the case, you might be in deep do do - and it sounds like that might be the case from your description of the finish.

So what would I do? I'd seek a second (professional) opinion. Either a real detailer (not Bucky down the street who has a can of Turtle Wax) or a reputable body shop. Rail dust isn't all that hard to get out - if you do it properly. Doing it wrong can lead to all sorts of problems. On the bright side, if it's still visible, I doubt that they've removed a significant amount of your finish yet.