Removing road-salt yellow-spots from paint!?

[Ohio Detailing]

These spots are very problematic!

They seem to be everywhere, ESPECIALLY on white cars (like the pictured truck I snapped), and they also seem to be prevalent THIS YEAR since the DOT in the state I live recently started using the liquid-salt which I think is the culprit behind these spots (brine or something like that)? I've tried clay, and it takes a lot... AND I MEAN A LOT of scrubbing.

So...
-WHAT are these spots (is the liquid salt with brine the root of it all)?
-WHAT is the best method of removal (product(s) and methods)?

Feed back please

THANKS GUYS, pictures below (Note: The last two picture without flash show the spots best)

 

[RZJZA80]

See it all the time, a good rinsing/washing with dawn and clay it. Depending how caked on they are, you may need to clay it a little more than normal or use a more aggressive clay.

 

[2old2change]

I take care of a fleet of white F-250 crew cabs for a landscaping co plus my son and myself have the same trucks. This last yr or so these what I call rust specs have popped up all over the place. I also suspect the salting and treatment to prevent icing to be the cause.If this is what is showing in your pics then a decontaminent is what will take care of the problem. A product such as Iron-X will remove these type of spots easily.

 

[bmwgalore]

Yup, IronX/Trix will do.

 

[Ohio Detailing]

See it all the time, a good rinsing/washing with dawn and clay it. Depending how caked on they are, you may need to clay it a little more than normal or use a more aggressive clay.

I used Dawn, twice, and went through almost an entire Pinnacle Polyclay bar... was hoping there was something more specific out there, thanks though!

I take care of a fleet of white F-250 crew cabs for a landscaping co plus my son and myself have the same trucks. This last yr or so these what I call rust specs have popped up all over the place. I also suspect the salting and treatment to prevent icing to be the cause.If this is what is showing in your pics then a decontaminent is what will take care of the problem. A product such as Iron-X will remove these type of spots easily.

(ANGELLIC CHORUS) "Hallelujah!!!" Thank you

Yup, IronX/Trix will do.

AWESOME, you guys are the best! I did a Mercedes last week and it was covered in these spots, using a specific chemical for this will REALLY aid in my turnaround time (and aggravation)! I love this forum!

PS: Differences between the IronX and Trix, and which do you prefer?

 

[2old2change]

Never tried Trix so I honestly can't say.

 

[bmwgalore]

IronX will remove iron particles only.
Trix will remove iron AND tar.

I'd go with Trix.


Once you cleanse the paint with IronX, your claybar will always finish pretty much clean, cause the ironx will remove everything. You can clay a whole car in 20 minutes after ironX

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Never tried Trix so I honestly can't say.

IronX will remove iron particles only.
Trix will remove iron AND tar.

I'd go with Trix.


Once you cleanse the paint with IronX, your claybar will always finish pretty much clean, cause the ironx will remove everything. You can clay a whole car in 20 minutes after ironX

Thank you so much for replying guys, I really appreciate the help - this will make life so... much... easier as all these cars are being cleaned after the winter!

 

[The Count]

Yeh my dads car had that too, clay wouldn't touch it, I figured it was rust spots, iron x it brah

 

[Ohio Detailing]

PS BMW Galore: You're saying IronX or Trix can be used on the entire vehicle, as a stripper to remove all contaminants prior to a clay bar for good measure?

 

[The Count]

Iron x is pretty well safe on everything, except for delicate things like cheapo brake calipers, and Ironx will not get everything off, just iron particals, it wont get off sap, tar, ect... But I have a blast usin Ironx.

 

[SeaJay's]

I take care of a fleet of white F-250 crew cabs for a landscaping co plus my son and myself have the same trucks. This last yr or so these what I call rust specs have popped up all over the place. I also suspect the salting and treatment to prevent icing to be the cause.If this is what is showing in your pics then a decontaminent is what will take care of the problem. A product such as Iron-X will remove these type of spots easily.

:iagree: Iron-x will take care of it.

 

[bmwgalore]

PS BMW Galore: You're saying IronX or Trix can be used on the entire vehicle, as a stripper to remove all contaminants prior to a clay bar for good measure?

Yes it can. But it can get expensive, but it will save you HOURS of claying.
Just charge $25 extra to make up for the cost, hehe.

One 16oz bottle of either Trix or IronX should do 2 maybe 3 cars (depending on the size of the vehicle), don't get too excited with the sprayer!


You can also get IronX Shampoo, first you rinse the car with regular water, pour ironX shampoo on a wash mitt and spread panel by panel, don't mix the IronX shampoo in the wash bucket, it's a stand alone product.

 

[bmwgalore]

And be careful with some cheap brake calipers. These are basically cast iron, and iron is what you're trying to remove, so...

Calipers made of Aluminum will be fine.

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Yes it can. But it can get expensive, but it will save you HOURS of claying.
Just charge $25 extra to make up for the cost, hehe.

One 16oz bottle of either Trix or IronX should do 2 maybe 3 cars (depending on the size of the vehicle), don't get too excited with the sprayer!


You can also get IronX Shampoo, first you rinse the car with regular water, pour ironX shampoo on a wash mitt and spread panel by panel, don't mix the IronX shampoo in the wash bucket, it's a stand alone product.

Very interesting! I wonder why it can't be mixed with water. Thanks for the help

 

[bmwgalore]

Very interesting! I wonder why it can't be mixed with water. Thanks for the help

The car is slightly wet already, so in theory you ARE diluting a little.

Don't forget to wear nitrile gloves. IronX smells and feels wonderful!