Will Rail dust come back? How often does rail dust need to be removed from my truck? These questions started to pop into my head within a few days of discovering how to remove rail dust. So, the big question is:
Will Rail Dust Come back? Yes, rail dust will return. You may notice rust specs of rail dust within a couple of months of removing rail dust from your car. If the source of rail dust is not addressed, then, you will likely see new rail dust specs appear on your car within a month or two. This article explains how to prevent or minimize rail dust from reappearing.
So, how do I prevent rail dust from reappearing on my car? To answer this question, you need to understand where rail dust comes from. A Google search will reveal that there are nearly as many opinions on the source of rail dust as there are predictions for next year’s Super Bowl! Based on my research and experience, here are the top three sources for rail dust: 1. Transporting your car from the factory to your local dealer by rail. 2. Fall out from industrial and natural sources. 3. Brake dust from your own car’s brakes. (Spoiler alert, the author has a strong opinion on which of the three was the cause of orange spots on his vehicles.)
So, considering these sources of rail dust, the information below will help you understand the source and how to prevent or minimize the source of rail dust:
1. Transporting your car from the factory to your local dealer by rail road will cause rail dust.
1. Transporting your car from the factory to your local dealer by rail may likely be the source of rail dust on your vehicle. “Rail Dust” describes specs of any ferrous material that lands on a car’s painted surface and creates orange dots of rust. Automobile manufacturers originally coined the term when it was believed that delivering the cars to the dealer by rail was caused by rail dust.
If you discovered rail dust on your vehicle, or orange spec’s, or rust specs, on your new car, then, rail road tracks and cars could likely be the source of your rail dust. If you believe this to be true for your situation, then, your next step is to return to the dealer who sold you the car and ask them to address the rail dust on your car.
The automobile manufacturer may cover the removal of the rail dust, spots and specs under warranty. For example, the Ford 2013 warranty states: “ The 2013 Model Year Ford Warranty Guide states: “For damage caused by airborne material (environmental fallout) where there is no factory-related defect involved and therefore no warranty − our policy is to provide free repair of paint damage due to the airborne material for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.” Click here to read another article on this website that discusses warranties in detail.”
Click here to read an article from this website that includes the Ford rail dust removal procedure.
Through all of my research, I discovered that rail dust goes beyond steel particles originating from steel rail cars wheels contacting the railroad track. Or even rail car brakes that activate to slow the rail car. There’s much more that falls within the definition of rail dust, then just Railroads.
2. Fall out from industrial sources.
2. Fall out from industrial sources will cause rail dust on your car’s paint
The iron spec’s actually fall out of the sky – aka fall out….as in “fall out of the sky”
What is industrial fallout?
Industrial fallout is a very common term used by environmental protection professionals who either measure pollution or develop technologies to protect the environment. Sometimes, the environmental protection applies to wild life. Sometimes, it applies to humans. Sometimes, it applies to the painted surface of our vehicles!
Industrial Fallout can include any material that can come from a manufacturing/industrial process. This could be ferrous metal particles from a foundry or sawdust from a saw mill. Industrial fallout could be any airborne particle that originates in an industrial facility. In the 2004 Technical Service Bulletin, Ford put this into perspective when it defined Industrial fallout as:
“Ferrous metal particles( hot iron dust) are generated by manufacturing facilities, rail shipments, Etc. Moisture and heat combine with particles to create a chemical reaction. This reaction creates an acid causing the iron to corrode and etch into the paint surface.”
Considering the state and federal (EPA) requirements to minimize air pollution, I question whether industrial fallout is a strong source for orange spots. In my particular case, there is no industrial fallout within miles of my workplace, yet my truck developed orange dots. However, the internet is filled with situations where workers park their car outside of a work place and see deterioration of their paint because of emissions from work place.
I’ve actually gone into more detail on this topic than I intended. Click here to read another article on this site where you can learn more about industrial fall out.
So, how do you prevent fall out from causing rail dust on your car? Avoid the cause of the fall out. If you have identified the source, such as a certain workplace, then report your findings to the workplace. They may be able to take action to reduce or even stop the source of the rail dust. More realistically, you can only control what you can control. Consider parking away from the source. Or, consider leaving your car at home and commute with public transportation, by bike, walk, or carpool with a friend who drives a darker color vehicle and hasn’t learned about rail dust yet!
Covering your car with a tarp or other type of customized car cover is a viable option. This would keep material from settling onto your car while you are at work. Although this could be an effective method, it is not the most attractive nor the most convenient solution. Let’s face it, we all want to protected or car or truck (protect our investment; make the car last a long time; keep it looking good; or just love our car!) However, nobody wants to be that guy who covers his car.
3. Brake dust from your own car’s brakes will cause rail dust.
What is in a brake pad that could cause orange spots on my paint?
Two common categories of brake pads are semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads. All brake pads include some amount of metal. The brake drum or rotor itself is composed of ferrous metal. The semi-metallic brake pads are the most versatile for all braking characteristics, so more popular. Semi-metallic pads contain anywhere from 30-65% metal by weight Semi-metallic brake pads consist of steel, iron, copper, etc.
Wow! I didn’t realize there was so much metal in a brake pad. Granted, the brake pads have to wear and need to withstand intense temperature due to friction. However, that is a significant amount of metal! Actually, the amount of ferrous (iron oxide/rust) producing metal is notable.
What are ferrous metals? Ferrous metals are highly vulnerable to rusting and corrosion when exposed to moisture or an acidic or corrosive environment due to the high content of carbon molecules. Commonly used ferrous metals are: Steel, Carbon steel, Alloy steel, Cast iron, and Wrought iron. Ferrous metals are those metals that are primarily composed of iron and have magnetic properties. Some common ferrous metals include alloy steel, carbon steel, cast iron and wrought iron. Iron forms Iron Oxide, or rust…..or orange spots on your paint.
Here’s the answer to the spoiler alert mentioned earlier. In my experience, brake dust has been the cause of rail dust on our white Ford Explorer. I replaced both the pads and rotors. Approximately three months later, I was stunned to see more rail dust appearing on the tail gate of the car. Now, you might suggest that the same rail dust is causing the rust spec’s on the tailgate. However, I noticed that the two nicks on the tail gate had not developed another rust ring. So, those spots of bare metal were not rusty, just these spec’s across the tailgate. Considering this finding, I’d expect cheap and middle of the road brake pads to cause problems. Also, new rotors should come from the original automobile manufacturers (OEM Parts.) These companies have paid a lot of money in paint damage cases, so, they are more likely to spend time and money researching brake pads that do not cause rail dust, AND do not create headaches for the service managers at each dealership.
On an interesting side note, I learned that Ford will sell me brake pads with a lifetime warranty. I’d just need to pay for the labor to change the pads. Hhhhhhmmmmmm. Seems like a good deal OR an admission of a problem! I’m looking forward to researching the content of these lifetime warranty brake pads!
I captured the moment when I made the realization of the link between brake pads and rail dust! In the video below, you’ll see my amazing discovery!