paint sucks!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Iowa
I'm in Iowa, and have two F350's ('00, and '02), my father in law has a ranger ('99), and my brother in law has an excursion ('00). All are white in color, and all have had the exact same problem - little pinpoint rust spots that appear on the vehicle. From what I can tell, it's embedded in the clear coat, because we are able to actually buff the spots out. I understand the train concept, but I've always been a bit suspicious of the concept as all four of the vehicles above have the rust problem from the back of the front wheels wells back - never on the hood or the front quarter panels in front of the wheels. But from the front wheel on back, our vehicles have them back to the tail lights, and even on the tailgates of my 350's. Frustrating, for certain. I've often wondered if it's off the brakes of the trucks themselves. I'm not claiming that's what it is, but wondered if anyone else had the same thought.
Greg
Greg
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Iowa
I've wondered the same thing. I've seen some of the semi's carrying vehicles , and the fronts are wrapped up, but so are the tailgates, etc.
Again, not that I doubt the train theory, nor am I stating that there's a conspiracy
of some sort, (Or am I?? he he he) - I'm just kind of curious as to why it's not on the entire vehicle....
greg
Again, not that I doubt the train theory, nor am I stating that there's a conspiracy
of some sort, (Or am I?? he he he) - I'm just kind of curious as to why it's not on the entire vehicle....greg
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: Douglas County, GA
My neighbor is a materials engineer for Norfolk Southern. I mentioned this same thing to him about a year ago, because others were posting the same questions back then. He said he deals a lot with issues on the train cars that are used to transport automobiles. He said he didn't see how hot flakes off the wheels or brakes could end-up on the vehicles because the train wheels are below (and under) the bed of the railcars. He said they would end up stuck to the underside of the railcar, and that even if they came from the railcar in front of the one carrying the vehicles, the trains typically travel a speed speed that would be too slow for the wind to carry them to the next railcar back. It makes sense to me. But, he could definitely be wrong too.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Rail dust is very real and a serious problem. Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes group says it is caused by the friction between the wheels and the rails.
http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/re...dust/index.cfm
http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/re...dust/index.cfm
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: NJ
and why can't they creat a way to keep the dust off the vehicles, they move so many by rail and all these years they can't enclose the train cars? hundreds of thousands of dollars on every trip with a train, you'd think they'd do something about it by now. glad i don't see anything like that on mine. i never heard of anyone having this problem until i just read this thread. lots of friends with fords, some of which are white and dont see any specs of rust or rail dust.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I agree with these guys about the clay bar. My new 2006 f250 was covered in rail dust, I used Meguiars clay smooth surface kit and it came out beautiful. I told the dealer not to detail the truck, because past experience proved they would have wheeled it, causing swirls and burnt paint. Thumbs up on the Meguiars product.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Originally Posted by F250tuff
the trains typically travel a speed speed that would be too slow for the wind to carry them to the next railcar back.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
Given the cost of a repaints or annoyed customers, you'd think that Ford would happily use that white protective film on more surfaces of the trucks. Quality being Job 1, and all...
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