Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Rail Dust vs Rust

  1. #1
    Noob
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Rail Dust vs Rust

    Hi All,

    I've recently purchased a Mazda 3 (white) and will be picking her up on Wednesday. I've read a couple posts on here that mentioned that white displays alot of rust speckles which is in fact "rail dust" which requires a certain chemical be to permanently removed, is this true? If yes, is it something that can be done at the dealership or will I need to go elsewhere? My little car is currently on a train on it's way to Toronto so if it needs to be treated I would rather do it sooner than later.

    Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!!

  2. #2
    Sr Member MAZDA Kitten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Stoney Creek
    Posts
    5,439
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    No 'chemicals' required. Just clay bar the car if you notice rail dust

    2004 Mazda3 GT { BLACK MICA / 5MT / GFX pkg / BLACK, RED & GOLD BEEBS }

  3. #3
    Jr Member seelsy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Age
    35
    Posts
    785
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
    Mentioned
    5 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    basically all you need to do is give it a good run over with a claybar to remove the dust from the clearcoat. Most dealerships wont do it for you. You can do it yourself at home, or take it to a detailer and they can do it for you. But basically all you need to do is clean the car fully, dry it, use a clay bar on the car, then wax it.
    2013 Mazda 3 GS Sport Sky CWP
    20% tints
    6000k HIDs
    18" RX8's Wrapped in Sumitomos



  4. #4
    Noob
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Great! Thanks guys!

  5. #5
    Sr Member Dave_The_BMXER's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    6,243
    Thanks
    367
    Thanked 761 Times in 324 Posts
    Mentioned
    79 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    You can do an ABC wash to remove rail dust, involves chemicals. I would not do it myself....

  6. #6
    Newbie bigmikey's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    59
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    I used a clay rub from turtle wax at first... but it left circles in the clear coat....
    so i'm not doing that again.
    on my old protege 5, it worked perfectly
    on my 3, it left the swirls...

  7. #7
    Sr Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    7,795
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Quote Originally Posted by littleladyLC View Post
    Great! Thanks guys!
    Just a warning. I did this for my wife's girlfriend's car. It was silver and you could see the rail dust on it. It took me a good 2 hours to get it all off with very constant rubbing. It does come off but you'll need to put some "elbow grease" into it.

    The results are well worth it.

    2006 Copper Red Mazda3 GT Sport

  8. #8
    Official TM3 food tester froggy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    1,929
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    don't most cars get shipped with that white vinyl wrapping anyway to just avoid this situation in the first place, or to at least reduce the severity of it?
    there's no such thing as too much zoom zoom

    Thanks to MazdaBetty for the avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by mazdabetty View Post
    OHHHHH I HATED IT when people used to steal my pole

  9. #9
    Jr Member coriolis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Markham
    Age
    37
    Posts
    884
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts
    Mentioned
    15 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Higher end cars usually do, I know Audi does:


  10. #10
    Member bunchi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Markham, ON
    Posts
    2,044
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    that's why our cars are not called "high-end" cars

    anyway, I got them too a few months after i got my car. used claybar and they're off. amazing results. however, I always see again them after winter (like now). aside from rail dust, they can also be contaminants floating in the air. parking at work is also just beside railroad tracks, so that can be a reason as well that i have to claybar my car every friggin year

  11. #11
    Sr Member Donutz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    3,008
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Quote Originally Posted by bigmikey View Post
    I used a clay rub from turtle wax at first... but it left circles in the clear coat....
    so i'm not doing that again.
    on my old protege 5, it worked perfectly
    on my 3, it left the swirls...
    Likely your clay was contaminated with foreign particulates. (Yes, I busted out two 12 letter words on a forum). If you keep your clay and cloth clean, use enough lubricant, and don't over do it by rubbing too hard, you shouldn't see any damage.
    Is not here

  12. #12
    Member b.rabbit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    1,121
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    What happens if you leave the rail dust...does it make your car rust quicker?

  13. #13
    Member sudz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,628
    Thanks
    28
    Thanked 45 Times in 20 Posts
    Mentioned
    7 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    lol, not really, its just... dirty particles stuck on your clear coat - More prone to surface scratches, And dirty cars... well they get dirtier quicker. (anyone else notice this, or am I just on crack?)

  14. #14
    Newbie
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    64
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    lol you're not on crack.. dirt sticks easier to dirt or uneven surfaces better than clean waxed surfaces

  15. #15
    Newbie
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Clay bar then wax will not only remove rail dust but help protect paint. Then wax yearly.

  16. #16
    Newbie
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    207
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Remember, rail dust is a generic term.
    Tons of metal particulate is lying on the roads. It originates from the vehicles driven on the road.
    Drive down the road and you will have "rail dust" eventually. Clay bar once or twice a year and your car will thank you.
    The rear will always have more dust due to the way the air flows over the vehicle.

  17. #17
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    1,465
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Rail Dust vs Rust

    Quote Originally Posted by Cardinal Fang View Post
    Just a warning. I did this for my wife's girlfriend's car. It was silver and you could see the rail dust on it. It took me a good 2 hours to get it all off with very constant rubbing. It does come off but you'll need to put some "elbow grease" into it.

    The results are well worth it.
    klasse aio.. little rubbing involved!

Similar Threads

  1. Via Rail
    By marvin24k in forum General Lounge
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-28-2009, 10:29 PM
  2. Mazda 3 Rear Ended & Rail Dust
    By tpirovol in forum Mazda3 General Discussion
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-29-2009, 03:15 PM
  3. Thanks Biz...'07 CWP GT on rail
    By cwp_sedan in forum Buying a Mazda3
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-21-2007, 11:13 AM
  4. Rail Rust
    By AFbunnie in forum Problems with the Mazda3
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-25-2005, 10:07 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •