Claying off Rail Dust

[Mbrazelton]

Tonight I removed the Z71 logo on my new pick-up, and did a test area on the side of the box to get what layering of Products I want to use. But when I started to wipe it down, I noticed the towel was getting caught on some tiny sharp nibs, which if you catch then with pressure they pop off, my assumption is they are Rail Dust nibs, I see alot of topics talking about using a clay bar to remove it so I did a little bit.  I noticed that the metal nibs end up in the clay.  My question is how much can I do before the nibs become more damage in the paint from scratching?

 

 

[Nickfire20]

I do not know the answer to your question, but if you have the blue wheel cleaner, spray the paint down with that to dissolve the contamination

[ocdrifter]

If you have wheel cleaner use that it will be safer and it's safe to use and very easy to do. Wash the car, then spray on wheel cleaner agitate with a wash glove/mitt with a rubber glove on your hand feel the paint to see if nibs are gone then your good to go!

[falcaineer]

Video of iron decon process:

 

 

The answer to your question really is "it depends." All sorts of nasty stuff, and even good stuff (DS), gets embedded in the clay, but continually folding it into itself will prolong its life. However, using the iron decon process will likely remove a good portion of what you're concerned anout, leaving behind more of the normal stuff we all deal with.

[Ls1transam]

Personally I do the chemical Decon like these guys have mentioned first. Then I would clay after.

[FP350S]

Never even considered this an option and thanks for the knowledge to use going forward. So many little things to learn...glad I joined this forum!

[chops1sc]

I find the blue wheel cleaner to be a little too thick for my taste (for decon that is). I have used it in a pinch though.

[Mbrazelton]

I find the blue wheel cleaner to be a little too thick for my taste (for decon that is). I have used it in a pinch though.

 

 

Could someone dilute it? 

[chops1sc]

Yes, you can dilute it. 1:1 would probably be ideal.

[ocdrifter]

Why are you tasting it?!?!

 

 

I find the blue wheel cleaner to be a little too thick for my taste (for decon that is). I have used it in a pinch though.

[ocdrifter]

I diluted it, and it took longer to work its magic!

 

Could someone dilute it?

 

[BRZN]

If you're picking the little nibs off with your finger nail, I'll bet they're fly poop, not rail dust. Rail dust is hot metallic pieces that attach themselves to the clear, clay is needed to remove it, or something like Wheel Cleaner, as discussed above. The black specks you're scraping off with your finger nail is, most likely, leaving a tiny circle of residue on the paint. Washing may remove it, clay will remove it. When Wheel Cleaner is applied to it, if it doesn't turn red, it's not rail dust.

[Mbrazelton]

If you're picking the little nibs off with your finger nail, I'll bet they're fly poop, not rail dust. Rail dust is hot metallic pieces that attach themselves to the clear, clay is needed to remove it, or something like Wheel Cleaner, as discussed above. The black specks you're scraping off with your finger nail is, most likely, leaving a tiny circle of residue on the paint. Washing may remove it, clay will remove it. When Wheel Cleaner is applied to it, if it doesn't turn red, it's not rail dust.

 

 

I will try I haven't been able to give it a good super bath, but I need to so I can paint seal it this weekend. 

[Chris@Adams]

One thing that I might add, anytime I clay either with Visco clay bar or our clay mitt I am always prepared to polish if necessary.

 

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/specials/sub-category-1/adam-s-clay-mitt.html

 

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/specials/best-sellers/adam-s-visco-clay-bar.html

[chops1sc]

Why are you tasting it?!?!