Surface Rust?

[JTGary0415]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced rust that seems to be on the surface of the paint. It seems to only be on the lower half of the truck. Nothing on the hood. It is even on the rear bumper (which is plastic I believe). It am beginning to wonder if it is something metallic that is coming off the brakes sticking to the sides of the vehicle then rusting. Does this sound plausible. I am able to remove the spots with my finger nail, however they don't come off when simply washing it.

[zepada]

Sounds like railroad induced rust. When autos are transported by rail, the iron dust created by the rail cars and rails floats onto the autos. Try a clay bar to remove all traces then wash/wax.

[JTGary0415]

That makes sense on new cars. Sorry I forgot to put that mine is a 2008 white rtl...with about 50k miles.

[hiPSI]

For some reason white ridgelines have this problem. If you search, you will find many of the members had that problem. My first one was white and had that problem too, almost like something was sticking to the paint and rusting. Never caused any problems though because they came off with waxing or fingernail.

[RALCPA]

I have a 09 White RT and gave it a good washing and waxing yesterday and noticed what looked like rust spots. My reactions were shock, then anger, then denial, then bargaining, then acceptance. (sounds like the seven stages of grief!) I thought it was a paint issue but noticed that it was also on the after-market door protector trim that I put on when near new. The door protectors are all plastic so it can't be rust. Could it be dust from the brake pads? I think they are semi-metallic, no? I'd curious to hear from others, this may not be a white paint issue, it's just that owners of other colors don't see the spots.

[SalemChiro]

I have the same spots on my silver RL.

[hwycycle]

I also have the same small orange colored spots.. they seems to be more evident on the lower, rear sides of the truck.. a little work with a clay bar will take care of it.... They seem to develop of the winter months..

[raaze07]

I get the same spots on my silver RL, they show up during the winter months, I'm guessing there's something in the salt they use around here that sticks to the paint and rusts.

I didn't have much luck removing them with a clay bar, but what did work was the Mr. Cleam Magic Eraser. They make a heavy duty version that will take these specs off (with a little elbow grease). They also work great to remove the rust haze on the wheels from the semi-metallic brake pads.