My 2012 is covered in rust

[TitaniumFred]

The whole side of the car from the front doors to the rear hatch is covered in thousands of tiny rust flecks. What's causing this? Brake dust? How do I stop it?

[Sponsor]

[kaptinkurk]

Ouch, have you tried washing them off and see if they return? You may have drove down a dirt road with metal composites or an old bridge that could have sprang them onto your car.

I haven't had any problem with mine doing anything like that, so I would hope it isn't coming from the car.

[whimsicalpouch2]

i would bring it into a dealership pronto before it gets worse. that shouldn't happen to a new car.

[VelociRacer]

brake dust. clay bar the biaaaatch. then wax x2 a year with paste.

[Twenty]

^ Ding ding.

It's not 'actual' rust, as in the vehicle rusting through. It can be anything from environmental contaminants to specks kicked up during winter. There's no stopping it, it will happen over time.

A clay bar will take them off, so just keep an eye on them and when they get noticable it's time to clay again.

[Zillon]

Could also be rail dust.

Don't park near any train tracks, do you?

[Duffman355]

^^^ I was thinking rail road too. I've seen it on a white car before.

[TitaniumFred]

Nope, not near any train tracks. I've discovered that I can scrape them off with a fingernail. It's like they're stuck on the surface of the wax. The whole car is covered with them except the hood and the roof. That's why I'm thinking brake dust. I don't think it's contaminants as the metal doesn't seem to be involved. I do park outdoors all year though.

[Twenty]

That's pretty severe. Have you just noticed them recently? They could even be from the initial transporting of your car.

[erato]

Contaminants from factory smoke have been known to cause things like this on occasions when there's been accidents related to emissions, unfavorable weather conditions etc. At least I know of similar cases from Norway.