Iron particle paint damage - cause & fix?

[ScottyP]

Hi all,

My white Passat CC is parked outside much of the time. I've noticed a few times that, over time, it gets small (mostly pin-head sized) brown marks in the paint. I've taken the care to the detailers a few times and it comes back good as new.

I did a bit of research on the weekend (as well as taking it to the detailers... again!) and discovered that the marks are, apparently, iron particles that are corroding. The only way to remove them is to have the car clayed, which is what the detailer does when I take it to them.

Is there any way (short of covering or garaging the car) to minimise these marks, or make them easier to remove? Perhaps washing more often? I suspect the damage is mainly caused when it rains and the car then air dries, with the water reacting with the iron particles. Being white, the car show the marks more clearly than others colours too.

Also, will having my car clayed reasonably often (once every two months) do any long-term damage to the paint?

Any advice appreciated!

Cheers,
Scott

[carcareproducts]

Scott, do you have any sealant or wax protecting your paint work?

[gavs]

Scott, the claybar is not the only option, Car Care Products now sell the Wolf chemicals Iron X which disolves iron particles.

I used this recently on my candy white polo GTI after washing and claying and the amount of iron contamination (I work where there is A LOT of steel work going on!) that was still in the paint was phenominal. Hands down, the best product I have ever bought for car detailing. It dissolved 2 years worth of baked-on brake dust etc on my girlfriend's Pug 207's wheels and theynow look brand new again.

[Wolfgang]

Scott, the claybar is not the only option, Car Care Products now sell the Wolf chemicals Iron X which disolves iron particles.

You'll find it's called Wolfs Decon Gel, Iron X is a similar product manufactured by CarPro. Both work by dissolving the iron particles without harming your paint.

I use the Wolfs Decon Gel on my wheels every 2nd wash and every 6 months on the paint as part of a full paint decontamination including claying.

[gavs]

Thanks Wolfgang, you are correct Got my lables mixed up.

Either way, the Wolf's decon gell works a treat.

[ScottyP]

Thx for the advice guys. I'll have to look up the 'Wolfs Decon Gel' product.

@carcareproducts - yes, the car is waxed after being clayed. Not sure about the quality tho