Pearl White paint with tiny dots of Rust
 

I saw all of Junkman's car washing video and learned the tiny yellow dots on white painted cars are caused by metal particles eating into the paint?

I have exactly that problem with my Z right now, what is the best way to get rid of these tiny rust dots? Thanks

Have you tried clay bar? It's probably rail dust stuck on the paint.

Clay, absolutely the best way to get these spots off. My wife's 335Xi currently has little reddish rust spots all over it. I will sooner or later detail it and get them all off with Clay and then protect it with a good sealant/wax.

I was also planning to wax so I used claybar before wax. The claybar wasn't able to remove some of these spots.

I've noticed tiny yellow dots on my white 370 but they seem to come off with a quick detail spray and microfiber cloth. Is this the same thing you're talking about? I've always wondered where these yellow things come from. I can also take them off with my fingernail though they sometimes leave a residue (that is easy to clean off just annoying).

There are different types of clay that are more aggressive than others. Some are harder and don't clean the surface as much as some of the softer and more aggressive clays. The softer clays are a little harder to use which is why the consumer types are harder. All of those spots should come off with either some clay or with polishing. Try some Meguiar's Scratch X or some other type of polish and they should come off.

I had this problem with my 04 350z.... I used turtle wax bug and tar remover. ( Only use for a small area tho)

It's rust particles sticking to your surface. White cars show it the worst. I have to use the clay bar to remove those spots.

Technically what they are is iron particles that have deposited on the finish. They don't immediately start to eat into the clear, but when moisture is introduced and they begin to oxidize, thats when you'll have ones that are physically embedding into the finish.

For the ones that didn't come off with clay, try claying again, with slightly less lubrication.

If they're still there you may want to try a mild polish first, afterwards seal everything up with a coat of wax and you should be good to go.

since we're on the subject of particles embedding onto the finish due to moisture i.e high humidity.

I recently gave my car the works with Adam's polishes wahed the car only a couple times and noticed the finish was still smooth, but this past week, had lots of dust on the car, we had some high humidity and noticed the finish was no longer smooth, but quite rough after its 3rd wash. It was as if I had never clayed, polished, and waxed the car 3 weeks ago! Anyways, decided to use Adam's detail spray and the surface was smooth again.

Was scared that all that hard work was thrown out the window with just one week of dust and humidity?

Did you park under a tree? High heat and certain types of trees don't mix - theres a few varieties around here that if you even park NEAR them on a hot breezy day your car will be covered in tiny pin-prick sized dots of hard sap.

nope, no parking under trees. That week, it was only in the garage and to and from the gym. Only once was it at work, but no trees at work. Its all buildings.

... and it appeared to only be rough due to the dust on the car that seemed like it hardened onto the surface???

I had a chance to check it out in the sun and no marring occured from me wiping it down after the wash with detail spray. I really layed on the detail spray though when i was wiping, just in case! I'll just have to wash the car sooner when it gets that dusty.

What's really groovy is when you're running race compound brake pads, do a track day, and then forget to wash the car when you get home..... Nothing like a layer of rust OVER your paint to get your attention... lol..

I found them all over my brother's white 08 vette. I got them out with the mother's clay bar kit (with the 2 80g bars). I'm guessing it is a less aggressive clay being a consumer grade product.

It did take quite a few passes over each spot to remove it all. Keep in mind, the iron particles had nearly two years to oxidize to this point, so it may not have been the easiest job for any clay bar.

Ok so this is a HUGE necro bump but I think it's still relevant, plus I have a link to share! So flamesuit on; heeeeere we go!:eekdance:

I have a 2013 PW Z and I have rail dust issues (bloody frustrating if you ask me). Now I know a lot of people have said "clay bar" but I've found this article on a car detailing site that tells you to do otherwise. Can anyone confirm that the methods he's suggesting is not only more effective, but also safe for paint?

Rail dust and its removal

Also has anyone witnessed rail dust come back or etch their paint after clay barring without doing the recommended chemical treatment to their car?