What's going on? help!...please

[Callaway23]

Hi, I have been trying to contact meguiar's on the phone and its been busy all yesterday and this morning. Do you have any clue what's going on? I need to order somethings and I was wondering if there is a problem. I have some questions about products. Also I have these spots that show up from time to time. They are like orange....yellow....I don't know... I guess like a dark yellow. I mean I can get them off with some quick detailer and quite a bit of rubbing, but it seems like there should be somthing easier. Those aren't my main concern, because I can eventually get them up. BUT, this one spot which is now yellow....started....well I don't quite know because it was under dirt, but when I first saw it. It was like a dark orange. After detailing, washing, and detailing again...it is now yellow. Some body said something like rail dust before it came of the truck ((what is rail dust), or like a piece of metal shaving that sat on the car for a bit, and with the rain ended up leaving a rust spot. Or maybe just ....tar....pollen......I have no clue. Could you please help! It is my first new car. It is a white nissan sentra . Thanks,
Justin C.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: What's going on? help!...please

Originally posted by Callaway23
Hi, I have been trying to contact Meguiar's on the phone and its been busy all yesterday and this morning. Do you have any clue what's going on? I need to order somethings and I was wondering if there is a problem.

I noticed according to the forum clock you posted this at 5:05am East Coat Time, that would make it 2:05 Pacific Time. Normal hours for Customer Care are 6:00am to 6:00pm Pacific Time; are you calling during normal business hours?

Here's Customer Care's phone number, try again...

1-800-347-5700

I have some questions about products. Also I have these spots that show up from time to time. They are like orange....yellow....I don't know... I guess like a dark yellow. I mean I can get them off with some quick detailer and quite a bit of rubbing, but it seems like there should be something easier. Those aren't my main concern, because I can eventually get them up. BUT, this one spot which is now yellow....started....well I don't quite know because it was under dirt, but when I first saw it. It was like a dark orange. After detailing, washing, and detailing again...it is now yellow.

Some body said something like rail dust before it came of the truck ((what is rail dust), or like a piece of metal shaving that sat on the car for a bit, and with the rain ended up leaving a rust spot. Or maybe just ....tar....pollen......I have no clue. Could you please help!

It is my first new car. It is a white Nissan sentra.

Thanks,

Justin C.

Sounds like rail dust could be your problem...

Rail dust is metal particles which are shed from the wheels and probably also the steel train track as a normal part of wear and tear as a train rolls down the track, they become airborne and land on a car's finish where if not removed they bond and embed into the finish causing the problem you are seeing in your car's finish.

You need to clay your car and probably use a paint cleaner like ScratchX followed by a coat of two of wax to resolve the problem.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Agreed. Before I read your entire post, I thought to myself, he must have white paint. Rail dust shows up much more on white paint; having a few white/white trimmed vehicles over the years, I know the dots for which you speak. Yes, claying should removed the spots. Make use to use plenty of claying lube and take your time.

Please keep us posted!

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Something that I would like to point out is that because the car has a white finish, it is easy for your eyes to see the rust spots forming around the metal particles that have bonded and embedded into the finish as the contrast between color white and the orange color of the rust is dramatic enough that it is easy to see the visual difference.

But think about it...

What if on the same train there were some red cars and even some orange cars, chances are good they could have the same problem but because the rust spots visually disappear against the color of the car, the owner might not never know the problem exists unless they inspect the finish with their hands for bonded contaminants.

Kind of the same principal as explained in this article,

A Lesson From White Paint

This is why Meguiar's teaches people to inspect their finish after washing two different ways, visually with their eyes in different light settings, and physically with the sense of touch using your hands to feel for problems with the paint.

[gb387]

Jumping in here... I use to have a white s10 Xtreme. I had the same issue. Like suggested above I clayed and was able to remove the "rail dust". You shouldn't have any problems, clay is easy to use just follow the directions.

[SVT Lightning]

My son just recently bought a 1989 white Dodge Dynasty with his graduation money. You would not believe how much **** the clay got off the paint and the windows. One coat of the Cleaner/Wax and it looked like a different car. He was shocked. The clay is GREAT stuff.

[Murr1525]

People sometimes dont realize it, but even on brand new cars, claying can make a world of difference.

And cleaner/waxes are definately underrated... GOOD Cleaner/waxes that is from Meguairs...

[Callaway23]

So.....

Thank you....

Maybe the one spot is rail dust from wherever the car was parked before I got it. But the other spots that I get here and there that actually come off with quick detailer and some rubbing.
Where are they coming from?....rail dust?....I live over a mile or more from the train tracks. Isn't that way to far for rail dust?

Also, Is there any other alternative? Like what about meguiar's bug and tar remover......?.....or if I have to spend that much time what about the deep crystal paint cleaner?...................

[rusty bumper]

Re: So.....

Originally posted by Callaway23
Thank you....

Maybe the one spot is rail dust from wherever the car was parked before I got it. But the other spots that I get here and there that actually come off with quick detailer and some rubbing.
Where are they coming from?....rail dust?....I live over a mile or more from the train tracks. Isn't that way to far for rail dust?

Also, Is there any other alternative? Like what about meguiar's bug and tar remover......?.....or if I have to spend that much time what about the deep crystal paint cleaner?...................

Maybe the metal dust could be coming from your brake pads, since most pads have some sort of metallic properties to them.

As for alternatives to removing rail/metallic brake dust, I heard one member make mention about using ColorX to help keep it off. After the initial claying and detailing is done.

[Jbirk]

Do the spots appear if you wax?

Like Mike said above after solving the problem 2 coats of Good Wax.

Give it a try and let us know if the wax helps. Even if the spots return, chances are they will wipe right off the wax with no scrubbing, and will not get bonded to the paint.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey

Rail dust usually occurs during the transporting of the vehicle via rail from the manufacturing plant to the dealership. These hot little pieces of metal usually bond themselves to the paint. Claying will remove these bonded contaminents. Other bonded contaminents can come from other sources including semi-metallic brake pads, rotors, road debris etc.... .

Tim

[Jose Torres]

RE: What's going on? help!...please

Hello Callaway23,

We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced in trying to contact us. Just for future reference, our Customer Service/Technical Support Hotline telephone numbers are 1-800-347-5700 and 1-800-545-3321. We are open Monday thru Friday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST, and Saturdays from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM PST. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should ever need assistance. Your continued support as well as your patience are very much appreciated.

Warm Regards,

[Callaway23]

i can't

I haven't been able to wax it., because I wanted to get the spot off before putting was over it. Which is really crappy cause I want to wax it!!! But I don't know what to use. Paint cleaner, clay, or the bug and tar remover? And if it's the clay....do I have to use clay everytime?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Callaway23

The easiest way to remove rail dust is to use Meguiar's Quik Clay and lots of the Quik Detailer for lube.

After claying the paint, I would then use a cleaner and/or polish to bring the paint to a higher level. Then apply 2 coats of NXT Tech Wax.

I usually clay my vehicles 2 times a year as that is all that they seem to require. It depends on your environment whether you will need to clay more or less than that.

Tim

[rusty bumper]

Re: i can't

Originally posted by Callaway23
And if it's the clay....do I have to use clay everytime?

Might not be a bad idea to clay the horozontal surfaces when you decide to wax again.

Run your hand & fingers slowly over these areas (after washing & drying of course) to see if they could use some clay before you buff and wax.