When I was washing our new to me 2006 Explorer I noticed a bunch of tiny rust spots all over the paint. You can only notice them if you're really close. If you use your fingernail, they come off and it feels like there may be something embedded in the clear coat.

What is this and what can I do about it other than pick every one off. I've done a little searching and it looks like it might be rust from metallic brake pads (I have no idea what is on it), small bits of metal in road grime, or small bits of metal from rail transport when it was new.

Anyway what can I do about it?

Mike

 

It is brake dust ,,clay bar ,& or buffing is all you can do...

 

I did some Googling and came up with wash, clay bar, do some sort of paint cleaner, then wax.

I was looking at Meguiars clay bar kit. What kind of paint cleaner and is Turtle Wax any good or is there something better?

Is this a metallic pad issue or just a white paint issue that I'll always have?

Mike

 

Could be something common to white 2006 Fords. Dad's 2006 SuperDuty (white) has the same issue.

Although I strongly believe it is a result of living in the rust belt and not washing the truck for over a year.

 

Rail dust (metal particles imbeded in the paint) is not unique to white vehicles , but it doesn't stand out on other colors like it does white.
Many moons ago when I was working at the ford dealer, we would wash them with a special cleaner with an acid I believe that would help open the pores of the paint to remove the particles, and then polish the vehicle. But this was late 80's and early 90's.
I am sure the clay bar and polishing will do fine. I don't ever remember seeing, or at least was not aware of clay bars back then. They might not have been around yet, or at least not widely known or accepted in the USA. The first I remember being introduced to and using a clay bar was somewhere around the mid 90's.
I am not a fan of turtle wax, but to be fair the only stuff I've ever used is stuff on the hardware store shelf. I'd stop at a paint and body supplier, and if they have a knowledgeable counterman, he should be able to help you out with product selection. A decently stocked paint and body supply should have a wide array of cleaners and glazes, and widely used brands such as meguires and 3m.
DetailCity.org - Auto Detailing & Car Care Forum is a forum you might want to visit as well, as this is the sort of thing detailers do every day. Although body shops do detail, most body shop guys spend more time fixing damage, painting and making new paint look its best then detailing.

 

^^^^100% agree^^^^

 

It is rail dust, The meguiar's clay bar kit is a great kit and will remove the rail dust. Make sure you use plenty of the quick detailer to keep the bar lubed. Use your fingers to be your guide they will let you know when you have removed it all. Put your hand in a plastic bag and run it over the paint, this will magnify your feel for the imperfections and help you find them. Use the Clay Bar and lube until the paint feels glass smooth.

Stay Away from Turtle Wax, it is junk. I would follow with Meguiars Swirl X or Color X to clean the paint and then follow with their NXT Tech Wax. Their are some other options out their but can be difficult to find, you should be able to find the Meguiar's products at any Advance Auto or Pep Boys. Stay away from the miracle waxes, once a year car polish, etc..

Here is some results I have had using the Meguiars Clay Bar kit, Swirl X with a Porter Cable polisher.

It is an 05 Explorer. This is the paint before:



The after: These are reflection shots of my truck reflecting of the wifes explorer

 

Claybar will take care of it....but you'll be doing it once a year...i've now done my 07 2 times, while the kit is good....I went to a body shop supply place and got a 3m clay bar that was about three times the size of the one that came in the kit....it made it much faster. Then wax and wait....