What Is This?

[Lito]

Today my car had the first spring wash

I just used a very mild car shampoo, mainly to remove grime, and discovered these little orange dots (about 1 to 2 mm in diameter) that will not rub-off! I didn't want to try anything aggressive before consulting. It is present all around the car except in the front, glass of top.

I thought it could be something like tree sap, but it is well under the half-line of the car (closer to the ground as you can see by the side marker). Strange. Any ideas of what it might be and how to remove it?

[Coast Steve]

Not sure what it could be but a degreaser in a liter can for about $10 might work and won't hurt the finish.Also, a silicone polish remover might work.Ask at a body shop if it doesn't work.But don't use lacquer thinner whatever you do.

[scwmcan]

It could be rust, just not from the car ( sometimes in some areas rust specks appear on paint ( especially white)). I would try clay baring it, and then a polish if the claybar doesn't lift it off.

[dmoonen]

Brake dust can cause the spots (rust) due to it being a metallic compound. My off white Chrylser 300 had the same thing.

[KurtMan]

Welcome to owning a white car, every year I have a professional do an acid bath on my pearl white mazda. I hear the clay bar works but takes FOREVER!!! And my mazda has lots of nooks n crannies where that rust crap likes to hide, go see Mike @ Sterling ford on Ogilvie and have him take a look at it.

[Lito]

After reading your feedback and closer inspection, I think you guys are 100% correct. You could say it is as if my front disks "spit" the particles and there is a "comet tale" of specs from the front wheel wells back.

I also had not heard of clay before, but I found this (to me) useful video

I think I shall give this a try next time I wash the car.

Any suggestions on what kind of product/wax to use afterwards, to prevent the rust from adhering directly onto the paint?

@ KurtMan - I'll try that. Should I say "KurtMan" send me?

Edited May 5, 2013 by Lito

[Alex]

Lito bought a white car! Lito bought a white car! (In that schoolyard chanting tone.)Yes, brake dust sounds exactly right. I would imagine any auto detailing aisle has a specific product for removal. Iron oxide is quite simple to dissolve chemically, I'm sure one could design a formulation easy on the finish and very effective.

[KurtMan]

Actually Lito I need 2 call and make an appointment soon so I will say I'm sending someone.

[MikeT]

Snowploughs leave steel residue all over the roads in the rust belt and that's where most of this crap comes from.

[aderoy]

I also had not heard of clay before, but I found this (to me) useful video

Have found using Mothers Claybar twice a year (mid may and mid Sept-Oct), waxing and of course washing helps to limit the 'rust' etc on the body.Canadian Tire - Mothers Claybar system

[Leadwing]

After clicking on the link for Canadian Tire in the previous post, I scrolled down to customers' comments and found that most were impressed with this stuff. In keeping with the OP's issue with little rust spots, I found the following:

It Works! May 2, 2012 "Reluctant at first but glad I bought it. Removed those yellow rust-like dots and the black dots presumably from the stuff they put in the cracks during road repairs. Just spray a small area, press and glide the clay bar (half a bar is enough at first) as if it were sandpaper on wood, then wipe it dry.

[Lito]

This is great info people! Thanks again!!!