Red specks on BMW

[wander2039]

Went to wash the BMW X3 couple days ago and noticed all these red specks all over the upper portions. I’m at a bit of loss how to get these off. I’ve tried both Turtle wax bug and tar .. stoner tarminator and while it does help some but I really have to scrub with a microfiber. At first thought it was the sap tree next to the house but we’ve been here 20 years and every car I’ve cleaned off never took this much effort. It’s more like bug specks under a light.

I have a little diesel.. how much would that hurt the finish? I might have a little acetone or other brush cleaner. I’m going to scrub forever seems like. This BMW I think has a ceramic coating. Just trying not to kill the finish whatever I use.

 

[loneryder]

NO ACETONE! Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[CarbonToast]

Did try using claybar on the area?

 

[Klutch9]

Is this a new car? Might be rail dust. Had to remove some from our white Carnival not long after we bought it.

 

[CarLuver]

go buy an iron remover car product and see if that will remove it

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I was thinking clay bar as well. Never use any acetone or anything else similar. You’ll be paying for a panel respray at the very minimum!

 

[Sequoiasoon]

go buy an iron remover car product and see if that will remove it

Search Paint Iron Remover and pick your flavor. I have IronX from carpro. Griots, Adams, TW all have versions.

Follow up with clay bar or clay mitt and some nice sealant after that.

 

[RooflessVW]

Need a better pic.

Could be iron contamination, but if it can catch a fingernail it could also be artillery fungus.

 

[wander2039]

Did try using claybar on the area?

Didn't think of it truthfully. Might try the iron remover first.

Is this a new car? Might be rail dust. Had to remove some from our white Carnival not long after we bought it.

2018.. We're less than 2 miles as the crow flies to a rail yard so might be possible. Don't see anything on my truck though which is also white. Of course wouldn't care if it was on the old Dakota.

go buy an iron remover car product and see if that will remove it

Never knew there was such a thing, learn something new on occasion. The Walmart I got the Turtle wax bug and tar didn't have any of it. But looks like the stores up here has it but I'll stop by Autozone on the way home.

 

[wander2039]

Need a better pic.

Could be iron contamination, but if it can catch a fingernail it could also be artillery fungus.

About the best I can do.. It is really hard to see and my wife didn't even notice it. Some specs can catch with the finger nail but not all.

 

[Nessism1]

Hate to say this, out of fear of something bad happening, but you may want to see how careful use of a single edge razor blade works. If it knocks off the material, then you know for sure that something landed on the paint. If the material is foreign contamination, it will be on the glass also. Maybe trial the razor blade on the glass first.

 

[wander2039]

Iron remover was indeed the answer! 30-60 seconds and it would turn purple and easily wipe off. Had to go over some panels 2-3 times but 99% gone. Kinda expensive and small bottle, almost need another to finish the front bumper. Thanks all that suggested it!

 

[John105]

That looks like artillery fungus to me. Is there any mulch near the car when parked?

It comes off, but takes significant effort. I'd use a cleaner wax so it doesn't harm the clear coat. I wouldn't use anything harsher, again it may make removal easier, but it's not harmless in doing so.

 

[wander2039]

That looks like artillery fungus to me. Is there any mulch near the car when parked?

It comes off, but takes significant effort. I'd use a cleaner wax so it doesn't harm the clear coat. I wouldn't use anything harsher, again it may make removal easier, but it's not harmless in doing so.

Had to look it up but not that I know of. Could be but none of the other cars has it. Well at least that stuff removed it.

 

[CarLuver]

Iron remover was indeed the answer! 30-60 seconds and it would turn purple and easily wipe off. Had to go over some panels 2-3 times but 99% gone. Kinda expensive and small bottle, almost need another to finish the front bumper. Thanks all that suggested it!

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if you ever had a perm, you would recognize the smell. its the same chemical .