JustinL
Member Since: 26 Jul 2006
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
  
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| Paintwork damage from railway line dirt |
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Hi,
Wanted to tap into the combined knowledge of the forum members.
My office is in central London, right by the railway lines going into Waterloo and we have a carpark right next to and below the building. Directly adjoining the railway lines.
Over the working lfe of my last car (Audi) I noticed that the paintwork became flecked with what looked like iron filings which marked the paint and caused tiny rust spots. Its texture was as though I had lots of tree sap on the paintwork and inspite of regular washing and polishing I couldn't avert this damage. The windscreen was also marked with what looked like oil spots. Very annoying. 
Obviously as I have just replaced the Audi with a D3 I want to do everything to avoid it suffering the same fate. 
Currently I am parking (at vast expense) elsewhere on the days I have to be in the office but this does seem kind of mad! 
Does anyone know what it is that is coming off the rails that would cause this damage and indeed if there is anyway of stopping it?
Is there any treatment I can give the paintwork that with help prevent the freckles? 
There is a lot of paint on a disco and it would be a real shame to damage it if it can be avoided......
Any bright ideas?
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 23rd Aug 2006 2:12 pm |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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we have this problem in Adelaide with the tram and is indeed the iron shavings from the wheels that damage the paint. have you thought of putting a car cover over it. I have seen some for the D3 but can't locate it at the moment
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| 23rd Aug 2006 2:42 pm |
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JustinL
Member Since: 26 Jul 2006
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
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Thought it might be iron shavings.
I have thought of a cover and perhaps that is the only 100% answer.
Thank you catweasel.
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| 23rd Aug 2006 2:54 pm |
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DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
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Used to get this problem at work with cast iron dust settling on the car. Used to stick and rust - quite difficult to see until the rust specks appeared, but felt very rough to the touch.
They used to wash the cars with an Oxalic acid (?) solution to get it off. You could only do it a couple of times though, as I presume it removes layers of wax etc. Disco 5 HSE Lux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peyiqaJrmMU
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| 23rd Aug 2006 2:57 pm |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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you could have a look at this product http://www.toughseal.co.uk/
might be best to give them a call regarding iron dust.
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| 23rd Aug 2006 3:41 pm |
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JustinL
Member Since: 26 Jul 2006
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
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Catweasel,
Spoke to the guy at tough seal and he advised me that there is only one way to avoid these blemishes and that is a over!
It seems that it is caused by hot iron particles coming off the brakes on the trains and they burn onto the paintwork on contact and then rust.
If you wash them off straight away it should minimise the damage, however a cover is the only way to prevent it.
I will have a hunt for a suitable one, but if anyone has any ideas let me know.
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| 23rd Aug 2006 4:26 pm |
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Martin
Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18452
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A very good way to get rid of them is a clay bar/paint rubber type product 
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| 23rd Aug 2006 6:07 pm |
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JustinL
Member Since: 26 Jul 2006
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
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This is excellent. Thank you.
I think I will try and find a good cover, and then check and use a clay bar if needed.
I will pass these tips onto the guys in the office whose cars are in a bit of a state from the rail dust!
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| 24th Aug 2006 7:58 am |
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JustinL
Member Since: 26 Jul 2006
Location: Somerset
Posts: 48
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We have looked at it, but as we are right up against the rails I am not sure how much difference it would make? We are also very tight on space, and as the carpark is shared with the other floors in the building it might be a costly and complex operation....
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| 24th Aug 2006 8:10 am |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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JustinL, will look for the cover I saw before as it was tailor made to suit the D3 and if I find it again I will advise. I live near a steelworks and the fallout is a concern so I am interested in a cover too. I geuss I should've bookmarked the site
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| 24th Aug 2006 9:39 am |
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