Rust Spots

TJay74 · March 13, 2013

It is not only GM cars, my wifes $45k Lincoln MKZ we had was painted with the white diamond tri-coat paint and did this the very first winter we had. Once winter was over I washed the car, then clay barred the entire car and put a good wax on it. Never came back after that.

Z45 · March 13, 2013

Its from the environment the vehicle is driven in, its not the fault of GM. You will only see it on light colored vehicles but every vehicle will have it. Like has been said, its very minute metal particles floating in the air that deposits on the paint that turns to rust because of the change in temperatures in your area. Rust is unavoidable unless you happen to live in a dry arid area.

GuyGene · March 14, 2013

Okay, I'd be very upset too if my new truck started showing rust spots like that! So, my question is: do the other makes (Ford, Toyota, Ram) have this so called rail/brake/acid rust? I haven't seen much of that on the other truck forums I read. If they don't have it, it's GM's issue!

Wires · March 16, 2013

I had that on my black truck after I followed a snow plow for a couple of miles in a nasty snow storm. In my case, the metal filings from the plow pierced the clear coat, and was rusting the paint. Clay bar fixed the paint, but all the chrome trim still looks like a$$ since it tarnished where it was rusting. Same deal on the chrome side running boards.

Never had that on my '00, so my guess is stupid thin clear coatings just aren't protecting the paint on the GMT-900's. I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the manufacturers have the same issue since they've been shaving quality for profit margin.

Merlin Huff · March 17, 2013

Got my truck back from getting an Acid wash to remove rust spots. Have to say I was impressed. The dealer did a great job. The big question will this be an ongoing issue every year?. I have noticed several products on the web that seem to address this issue. Thanks to all of you who have posted with solutions and support.

Z45 · March 17, 2013

Okay, I'd be very upset too if my new truck started showing rust spots like that! So, my question is: do the other makes (Ford, Toyota, Ram) have this so called rail/brake/acid rust? I haven't seen much of that on the other truck forums I read. If they don't have it, it's GM's issue!

Yes, but unless you happen to live in state where they plow and salt the roads its unlikely to be a concern. The first time I ever seen it was back in 1995'ish when a friends white Furd F150 had these tiny rust specks all down the sides and he was po'd about it and trying to clean it off. We started looking at other white and light colored vehicles and noticed a lot of them had it.

I had Auto Armor Paint sealant applied last summer to my new 2012 Sierra and just recently noticed the tiny spots on the rear of the truck. They plow, salt and sand the roads here on a daily basis. Mine are so fresh you can rub them off with your finger so I hardly think over 1 yr later they are from rail dust.

Now my car on the other hand has never been driven in the winter and there are none of these rust spots on it.

ShadowGM · March 17, 2013

Many have hit on it perfectly. This is normal on all vehicles. It's not a manufacturing issue, its daily use. Fine metal particulates that come from brakes and other vehicles finds itself on your paint. Since it's metal, it will rust. If you take a closer look, you'll also find them on non-metal parts as well (where they manage to stick). They have nothing to do with your paint or body panels, and they aren't a manufacturing problem. It won't harm your finish if you take care of it promptly. The real issue comes when that particle might etch deeper into your paint and the rust reaches underneath. This will contribute to rust bubbles forming under the paint from your body panels. Body panel galvanization can only do so much to prevent rust from starting.

They exist on all vehicles, but it's difficult to see them on dark paint. WHITE vehicles are both a curse and a blessing because of this. A curse, because the rust spots are easily noticable. A blessing, because if one really takes care of their paint, they can see all of these rust spots and deal with them before they become trouble. As mentioned, a clay bar is the remedy. One can also take care of it with a pre-wax cleaner in a three-stage waxing process (pre-wax cleaning - sealer - wax). Either way, it's hands-on maintenance, just like an oil change.

I had a completely white Monte Carlo that had an imaculate body for over 13 years because I stayed on top of things like those little rust spots.

Z45 · March 18, 2013

I found a product that works well to remove this when its fresh. I used THIS on my truck yesterday and it removed the rust spots and tar with ease, although it not really designed to do this.

GMCustomerService · March 18, 2013

Got my truck back from getting an Acid wash to remove rust spots. Have to say I was impressed. The dealer did a great job. The big question will this be an ongoing issue every year?. I have noticed several products on the web that seem to address this issue. Thanks to all of you who have posted with solutions and support.

Glad to hear that your concern seems to have been resolved. Feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

GuyGene · March 24, 2013

I've just heard that other makes are having issues with white trucks.

spankrz · March 25, 2013

nobody adressed this for chrome parts, that i noticed while i read through. if you have this problem, or most any other problem other then flaking on CHROME and CHROME only, 00 steel wool takes it right off. chrome is hard enough that the steel wool won't damage it, but anything that could be on the chrome is not. i have made factory bumpers on cars from the 60's and 70's that have been in a field for 20+ years look like new with exception of a few pits. if the bumper is pitted, there is nothing you can do except replace/rechrome. DO NOT try steel wool on anything but chrome, because it will scratch. (this means do not use seel wool on polished aluminum wheels, so make sure you know the difference before you try)

now that i have contributed to the conversation, it is time to vent. in no way are the spots described in this thread the fault of gm or the automaker of what vehicle you might see them on. these "rust spots" are foreign particles on top of the paint, just like dirt, dust, mud, or anything else that can make your truck dirty in some way. they can come from railroad transportation as stated, snow plows as stated, or even something as simple as a construction site where metal work is taking place somewhere near and/or upwind where you are driving or parking. in my opinion, expecting your dealer to take care of these spots on your truck is like expecting them to wash it a month after you buy it because it got dirty, -unless- the spots were on the truck when it was sitting on the lot, in which case this should be taken care of before delivery.

i feel better now