I've got what looks like small specks of rust on the surface of the clear coat. They are very small, like overspray. You can get it off with a cleaning wax, but given the surface area.... Has anybody seen this before? I would prefer to eliminate the source of the rust, if that what it is. It's on the sides and rear. I guess it could be from the road, but I haven't noticed it on my cars. Any thoughts? The truck is white.

 

You're lucky that it's just specks of rust that are easily fixed. Check out my Excursion. These pics are old already so the rust is worse now. I've even found more spots with the same amount of rust forming.

 

I noticed that on our white Saturn Outlook I just traded for my Ex. I was told it was rail road dust (BS) and to take it off with a clay bar. The clay did work well, but I'm still not buying the rail road dust excuse. I don't think they wanted to repaint a tri-coat white paint job. Hopefully that helps.

Ortiz, that sucks man. Only a body shop can take care of that and it looks like some expensive work!

 

I have something similar on my front bumper. It looks like the previous owner has driven through a pebble road at high speed. Or maybe even the sand off of the highway. You don't really notice it unless you ride a motorcycle. We have numerous bridges here in Charleston (SC) that are covered in sand, and when you go over them with a cross wind, it's like being sand blasted.

 

My white one does the same thing. It comes off with the clay bar. I give it a good cleaning/clay bar/waxing in early spring and late fall. It's not much of a problem.

 

Yeah, it's definitely no fun.

 

Brake dust.... that's the cause of the little specs on the clear coat. If you look at any newer white vehicle you will see it... I had it on my F250 and had to rub it down with clay bar and then re-wax.... Not aware of any way of stopping it from happening and all cars / trucks get it, just more noticable on white vehicles.

 

I've had good luck once removing the specks, to use a good quality wax twice a year and it makes it easier to remove the specks once they are there again.

 

Brake dust. Makes sense. I thought it might be tar, but tar remover hasn't really worked. It is mainly on the side panels and back.

I haven't heard of clay bars before. Where do you get it and how do you use it?

 

I also agree that the clay bar works great. Real easy to use and gets it real smooth.

 

You can pick up a clay bar kit (one clay bar and a bottle of exterior detailer) at pretty much any auto parts store, and I have seen them at Target and Wal Mart also. It's really easy to use, just spray the detailer on a small area of the vehicle, then use the clay bar to gently rub the contaminates off the finish, using the detailer spray as a lubricant. Also work the clay bar to keep freshening the clay. Removes surface contaminates and leaves a perfectly smooth finish. Good luck!

 

Got the clay kit at Autozone. Wow! I've done the hood, driver's side and back. What an improvement. What a pain in the ***. I'm going to try and get the passenger side tonight or tomorrow night. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this before. It's amazing how the ride improves when your paint is nice and shiny !!

 

After claying darker vehicles you will need to buff them out or streaks will be visible.

Make sure you wash the truck first before clay baring, use lots of lube when clay baring, and like mentioned wax after clay. For lube you can also just use soapy water.

 

^ Since that post I went out and it took me to about 30 minutes ago to clay bar my whole X. Taking a rest now and heading out to wax this evening. It was the first claybar I think the truck ever got and it too had the rust specs along with black specs that are even harder to get off.

I am glad that is done! I forget how much it hurts my hands and arms.