How do I prevent this?

[DR06]

This past weekend, a friend of mine was waxing their car. It is a Silver dodge durango that had been garage kept until about a few months ago and was washed and waxed often. They showed me and I noticed little dots like pen mark dots on the paint. It was dark and raised a little. I was asked what it was and I used my fingernail and ran it over it, and the "mound" came off and revealed what I believe is rust. They aren't that big literally the size of a dot made by putting the pen point on a piece of paper, but they are scattered along the car. Seeing as to how the car was well take care of, the pain smooth to the touch (no roughness felt), was thisa problem from the factory? Or is this what happens when you don't clay your car?

After seeing, this, even though my cars paint is new (less than one year) and the finish is very smooth (no bumps, just like glass). I am wondering if I should clay my car to prevent having this happen down the road. Sorry for the long post. I hope someone can help me out here.

[Murr1525]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Well, the wax would be to try and prevent it, but some gunk in the air is really acidic, etc, and can get to the paint and stick there. So that is why claying is important, so they dont build up too much, and you get off the few that are there before they do much damage.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Are you sure it's rust??? When you ran your fingernail over it, was there a brown stain underneath? Can you clearly tell the paint has started to chip and rust? Can you see the depression of a paint chip?

I really think that you have some tar and road grime on the truck. I've had tar that was left on for a while and it left a brown stain when I removed it with my fingernail. It turned out to be just tar...

I hope it's tar. If so, it's pretty easy to take care of with some clay. The Quik Clay or Smooth Surface kits are a good place to start.

[DR06]

Re: How do I prevent this?

First of all, thank you for the replies.

I'm pretty sure it was rust, as some parts seemed a little depressed when compared to the rest of the paint. But I will definitely take a closer look next time and honestly it is a little hard to tell because of their size. Tar would make for a happy owner.

It looks like I'll be buying a clay bar set soon. Claying once a year is good enough correct?

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Claying really depends on the need and area. Around Indiana, the air is quite good. I'm not too sure about Florida.

I usually clay about four times a year, but I'm a perfectionist. Clay twice a year and you should be okay.

Back to the question at hand, I honestly think it's tar. Rust on a Durango shouldn't be happening. That truck is not that old. There are some other factors, like driving conditions - sand, dirt, etc.

[Murr1525]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Well, depending on your environment, you may have to clay twice a year, 4 times, monthly... who knows. If you get sprayed with overspray, you would have to clay the next day.

Just have to get a feel for what smooth clean paint looks and feels like, then go from there.

[MR.CLEAN]

Re: How do I prevent this?

I notice on alot of my dealer cars have little dark brown dots all over them.I think it is sometype of tree sap,it is hard to remove.If you clay it will leave a stain on the paint where the sap was.or it could be brake dust ?

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: How do I prevent this?

It could be a number of things. It might even be NUCLEAR FALLOUT!!!

To be more serious, I've never had a problem with brake dust outside of the wheels. Possibly a paint cleaner - DC1 could help.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Claying once a year is good enough correct?

Common question... answer can be found in our Hot Topics Forum.

How often do I need to clay my car's finish?

[HagFan]

Re: How do I prevent this?

I don't think you're going to see rust start as a minor surface defect. Even with metalic paint, the clear coat over it is essentially a plastic, is it not? I would sooner suspect that it's tree sap, tar or some other common bonded contaminant that the clay will pick up.

Please let us know if clay does the job.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How do I prevent this?

I live in the Tampa area. I find that for me claying 3 times a year is great. Keeps finish soft and clean. I usually clay, In January, May and November. Hope this helps. In case your wondering,January, dry season, May, get rid of pollen and any other spring fallout, also before it gets to hot out. Then in November, end of hurricane season, clean her up from any bad storms.

[DR06]

Re: How do I prevent this?

Thanks once again for the replies. It definitely has me thinking. I will let you guys know the outcome. However, I will first have to read up more on claying and then find the time to see if it will work.