Removing road-salt yellow-spots from paint!?

[Dynamic_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)?



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.

Yup, IronX/Trix will do.

[Dynamic_Detailing]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by bmwgalore

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.

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

[Dynamic_Detailing]

Originally Posted by 2old2change

Never tried Trix so I honestly can't say.

Originally Posted by 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

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

[Dynamic_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?