So I'm cleaning the car today with some microfiber towels, when I see a tiny brown speck. Looking more closely, I can see five more of these. This is on the passenger side between the trunk and rear wheel arch. Then in the same place on the driver side, same thing. These were most definitely not there two weeks ago when I last cleaned it. Here's a picture of the biggest one (about the size of a freckle). Thoughts? I wonder if this could be "rail rust", something I'd never heard of until today after a bit of Googling.

 

Yes that is rail dust. You need to clean it using clay bar.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...nd-a-clay-bar/

 

Be sure to re-wax or re-seal (whichever your preference) after you clay it off...The clay can remove wax and sealant along with the contaminant.

 

Clay bar will not remove the rust. The clay bar will remove the contamination from the top of the clear coat. Most of the rust in your picture seems to be from in the clearcoat. Dont worry, this is common and can easily be fixed using Iron X or similiar.

 

Thanks, you guys are awesome. And very knowledgeable. I feel a lot better now, I was pretty sick looking at this yesterday. I was panicking imagining arguments with Lexus, lots of crying, the rust spreading and boring holes through the metal, car totally unsellable and being towed off to the wreckers and crushed.

I think I will ask a pro detailer to fix it though as I am sure I will find a way to mess up the paint if I do this myself.

 

No need to get a pro detailer to do it for you. Iron X is completely pH neutral and is safe to use on everything! Apart from Iron of course! All you have to do is spray on, itll turn purple showing a reaction and then rinse off with a hose. All done and no more rusty spots.

After that, just a get a fine grade clay bar. Mix car shampoo and water in a spray bottle and use it as lubricant. It wont mar your paint unless you dont use enough lubricant

 

I really do appreciate the advice given in this thread. Looking a bit better now, here are some completely unnecessary pics

 

glad you figured it out, car looks awesome

 

How hard is it to find rail rust on black paint? Any tips?

 

good question... but if you want to be sure, Iron X will get it off along with any other contaminant on your paint. i've used Iron x on all of my cars, including the Obsidian. i'm sure you can see rust spots on black paint...

 

Lookin good!

 

+1 for the IronX and some advice for anyone else thinking of using the product: the version I used was extremely effective but ... It STINKS bad! However, I noticed a couple weeks back there is now a lemon scent offered? Go with that for sure!