Paint covered in dots (possible fungus?)

PabloLeGato · July 10, 2017

Hi all,

Curious to see if any of you have had a similar problem to this. Purchased my '17 Sierra (White) back in April.

The first time I washed it, I noticed a good many of these tiny brownish/orange dots that were very difficult to get off, I ended up using my fingernail to get most of them off.

The second time I washed it, I noticed more of the dots than before. Continued to use fingernail some or just say screw it and forget about them.

Washed it again for the Fourth of July and noticed that the front of the truck was COVERED in these dots, I ended up using the bug scraper sponge to get a good many of them off, but there were still some that I could not get off.

Less than a week later, and now the entire truck seems to be covered in these dots. The front hood, the roof, the chrome around the grill and the door handles, etc.

At first I was thinking it could possibly be pollen from a lilly that grows near my driveway, but it seems far fetched that the lilly could spread that much pollen and that it would be that sticky and hard to remove.

After some searching I came across: http://extension.psu.edu/pests/plant-diseases/artillery-fungus/faqs
Artillery Fungus, a type of fungus that grows in mulched areas (Three mulched flower beds right beside the driveway) and can easily shoot into the air and become very difficult to remove from cars. Though the spots on mine appear more orange-ish than black, everything else seems to line up.

Has anyone else ever had an encounter with this? Hoping to find a solution that won't involve completely relandscaping the whole yard.

ChevyRoofer · July 10, 2017

Hi all,

Curious to see if any of you have had a similar problem to this. Purchased my '17 Sierra (White) back in April.

The first time I washed it, I noticed a good many of these tiny brownish/orange dots that were very difficult to get off, I ended up using my fingernail to get most of them off.

The second time I washed it, I noticed more of the dots than before. Continued to use fingernail some or just say screw it and forget about them.

Washed it again for the Fourth of July and noticed that the front of the truck was COVERED in these dots, I ended up using the bug scraper sponge to get a good many of them off, but there were still some that I could not get off.

Less than a week later, and now the entire truck seems to be covered in these dots. The front hood, the roof, the chrome around the grill and the door handles, etc.

dots 1.jpg

dots 2.jpg

At first I was thinking it could possibly be pollen from a lilly that grows near my driveway, but it seems far fetched that the lilly could spread that much pollen and that it would be that sticky and hard to remove.

After some searching I came across: http://extension.psu.edu/pests/plant-diseases/artillery-fungus/faqs

Artillery Fungus, a type of fungus that grows in mulched areas (Three mulched flower beds right beside the driveway) and can easily shoot into the air and become very difficult to remove from cars. Though the spots on mine appear more orange-ish than black, everything else seems to line up.

Has anyone else ever had an encounter with this? Hoping to find a solution that won't involve completely relandscaping the whole yard.

Brownish orangeish color? Look up rail dust.

Use a clay bar & clay bar lube to get this off without damaging your paint. Fingernail & bug scrubbing brush will damage clear coat if too much pressure is applied.

Fresh coat of wax/sealant after cleaning everything up will help this come off easier in the future

PabloLeGato · July 10, 2017

Looking up rail dust - definitely seems like it could be that. Damn.

Sounds like it will just continuously come back and the only solution is to repeatedly clay bar it. That's unfortunate.

Eddie 70 · July 10, 2017

Do you live near railroad tracks or park near them? Could be rail dust landing on the truck.

cbrsilv15 · July 10, 2017

It's just crap that's in the air and drops on the paint. Don't park under any trees. I've seen that stuff before. Clay bar and a nice sealant should help some.

Rail dust is usually too fine to see, until it starts to rust and you can see the small rust spots. Hence the word rail "dust".

Thomcat · July 10, 2017

Answer is in the posted photo.........Tree sap or droppings from insects feeding on the trees............ most likely the ones above shown in the reflection in the hood.

bc-chris · July 10, 2017

do you live by an airport?

when my wife and i first got married our first house was close to the airport so there were always planes flying over. the 'exhaust' from the planes would leave tiny dots on everything.

i'd pressure wash/brush our house in the spring and fall to try and keep the tiny dots in check.

i never noticed it on our vehicles, but my wife's car was black and my old truck is a really dark blue. our house was a tan colour and the dots were very noticeable

PabloLeGato · July 10, 2017

do you live by an airport?

when my wife and i first got married our first house was close to the airport so there were always planes flying over. the 'exhaust' from the planes would leave tiny dots on everything.

i'd pressure wash/brush our house in the spring and fall to try and keep the tiny dots in check.

i never noticed it on our vehicles, but my wife's car was black and my old truck is a really dark blue. our house was a tan colour and the dots were very noticeable

Nope, do not live near the airport.

Answer is in the posted photo.........Tree sap or droppings from insects feeding on the trees............ most likely the ones above shown in the reflection in the hood.

I don't park directly underneath any trees, though there is a huge oak very close to where I park and there has been a surge in insects this time of the year..

Do you live near railroad tracks or park near them? Could be rail dust landing on the truck.

Do you live near railroad tracks or park near them? Could be rail dust landing on the truck.

Nope. I drive over them occasionally but don't have any near my immediate day-to-day vicinity.

TheGovernment · July 10, 2017

Im surprised you didn't get some tool telling you to take it back to the dealer and tell them to repaint it... seems to be the norm around here.

PabloLeGato · July 10, 2017

Im surprised you didn't get some tool telling you to take it back to the dealer and tell them to repaint it... seems to be the norm around here.

Haha surprising indeed.

Just ordered a bottle of Iron-X off of Amazon that is supposed to remove rail dust and reacts by turning it purple, so I will test it out in a few days and see if it is in fact rail dust and then update ya'll with the resolution.

613Sierra · July 10, 2017

It's actually fly shit! My Summit White really shows all the dots around July and August.

mr4wdLTZ · July 10, 2017

i've got this same issue and thought it may be some minor surface rust. i do have some iron-x on order. so ill try that first.

lots of interesting theories on this. Glad im not the only one! haha

613Sierra · July 10, 2017

Before I wash it I usually spray a rag with WD40 lightly and most wipe right off. Have a few I have to scrape with my fingernail after but majority come off.Iron X is good for the rail dust but it wont really help with the spots. I have 4 cars in the driveway and for some reason the bugs like to hang out on the white truck and leave all other vehicles alone.

Silver16 · July 10, 2017

I get um too. When you wash and dry with Terri cloth towel. Come off.

audioworks04 · July 12, 2017

White is notorious for showing them, all colors get it though. Need a good wash with claybar treatment followed by a good wax to keep it from building up in the future.

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