Salt Damage On Paint?

[Honda Fit]

My brother called me yesterday asking me if I knew how to fix his problem.

Car: 2008 Lexus GS350 Black Sapphire Pearl

Problem: He said that there are tiny white dots on the front end, windshield, hood, and top of the car. He thinks that the specs came from some new type of road salt that they city sprays over bridges and overpasses to prevent the road from freezing. Doesn't appear to be rock chips. Won't come off if you use fingernail.

Advice:

1. I told him to pick up Meguiar's Claybar. He used it and said that the car is smoother, but you can still see the little specs. He said they look like little "dimples." He thinks the paint is ruined, but I'm a bit optimistic about it.

2. I told him to pick up some ScratchX and try that out. What would you guys suggest? I know it's hard to figure out a solution without knowing exactly what the problem is and what it looks like...

He lives in Texas and I live in California, so helping him is kind of hard. I told him to take some pictures so that I can see what I'm working with and get a second opinion from you guys.

Thanks ahead of time for the help

[Murr1525]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

Dimples would be bad.... but at least if he can get the white out.... The paint cleaner would be the thing to try for that.

[Honda Fit]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

He said that he waxed the car not too long before it happened. Car is garage kept. Would you know what might have caused the problem?

[Murr1525]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

Wax can stop some stuff.... but if he got hit by some new strong chemical, or concrete spray, or who knows. Its only a microscopic layer, it can only do so much.

[tguil]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

If it is a salt solution, it should come off with a *good * soaking with a quality car shampoo. Then try the clay. If he just ran his car through a car wash that might not have taken it off.

On a trip to Minnesota I drove through some of that salt solution stuff. I really had to work at it to get it off my headlights so that I could see.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

Hopefully these white dots are something on the paint and on the glass and not actual pits or small etchings in the paint and in the glass.

Washing and claying are the first two things to try. He should be able to clay one small section, (Test Spot), and then compare it to the surrounding paint and have an idea as to whether claying will work and whether or not the white dots are something on the paint and not in the paint.

Wonder if the Department of Transportation does any research into how the chemicals they spray on the road will affect the tax payer's cars, specifically the paint? Because of the high price of a new car or a re-paint it seems like the right thing to do.


Keep us updated as to what happens when he tries claying. Maybe have him take a digital picture of the white dots before he starts and either you can upload it and put it in this thread or e-mail it to me and I'll do it for you.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

I got nailed by a salt truck yesterday! the stuff is all over my front, and all down the side. No warning on the truck, no flashing lights, 40mph at the top of a 2 lane bridge, no where to go and all I heard was pop, pop, pop, pop, and the stuff is even in the door jambs. and I can't wash it off because of the cold, grrrr!

[Murr1525]

Re: Salt Damage On Paint?

I know, my car is suffering badly....