On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 19:55:56 -0400, "red rover" <natpress@sympatico.ca>
wrote:

>
>"George Macdonald" <fammacd=!SPAM^nothanks@tellurian.com> wrote in message
>> Are those rust spots bubbling up through the paint or could it be run-down
>> of rusty water from a mechanism or hinge? I'd probably handle those
>> myself, especially since it seems they are not a part of the car which
>> shows. Depends how much you want to keep it looking "original" on a part
>> which is not seen as the "finish" of the external appearance but try
>> <www.por15.com> - they have a clearcoat which might fit the bill.
>
>The spots seem to be bubbling from underneath. I would expect this is
>a sign of things to come and it will spread. I don't think this should be
>happening. It isn't that old and it has rust-protection. It isn't even
>rusting
>in the classical places where water and salt collect (like the bottom of
>doors).
>
>> I don't think it can be the metal flakes in the metallic paint. Could it
>> be vegetation stains... leaves, berries etc. from where the car is parked?
>> Another possible reason that's been mentioned for those very small rust
>> spots is raildust, picked up when the car was transported by railcar.
>>
>
>I thought about berry/vegetation stain but it sure as heck looks like rust,
>and
>so tiny for a vegetation stain.
>
>I would think that after 3 years there wouldn't be any raildust left would
>there?
>Unless somehow waxed in by the dealer.

Google on it - there's lots of references but I don't know the details of
the timing. For the first few days after leaving the factory, the paint is
quite soft and in fact it takes several weeks for it to reach final
hardness. The raildust is microscopic and beds into the soft paint where
it sits waiting for moisture. AFAIK the "solution" is claybar.

>It looks like there may be some on the black mudflaps too. So I now think
>it cannot be the paint. I'm wondering if it could be some rusty plumbing at
>a car
>wash leaving spotting. Do think that would wash off at another car wash?
>I did have it just washed before I was looking at it but it was at a pretty
>high-end
>car wash where several people attend to your car. I would think a place like
>that
>wouldn't allow rust into the water supply.

Maybe it's not rust but some chemical from a nearby chemical plant or
dropped by a leaking tanker on the road - the fact that you mentioned the
sides of the car and now even the mudflaps sounds more like the latter. If
it's rust it should come off the mudflaps fairly easily.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??