Ever wondered if your car got attacked by tiny rust ninjas? Here’s how to kick them to the curb!

Those sneaky little rust spots on your car aren’t from a ninja battle, but from a common problem called iron fallout. These small iron particles mainly come from brake dust or other road debris—and if you’re lucky enough to live in a cold place that allows studded tires, that can add to the problem. On a white car, you might not even see these iron spots until you spray an iron remover and notice it turning purple. You might think your new car doesn’t need this, but funny enough, most new cars still end up with plenty of iron on them due to being transported by train, sitting in parking lots for months, and so on.

To remove these iron spots, you’ll need a dedicated iron remover. No shampoo or pre-wash will stand a chance against these bad boys.

1. Apply on a Dry Surface
It’s best to wash the car first, then dry it, and apply the iron remover. If you spray it on a wet surface, you dilute the product significantly, reducing its cleaning power.

2. Consider a Double Application
If the car is really contaminated, we usually apply iron remover both during the pre-wash and after the contact wash. Since iron is metal, you don’t want to drag these particles all over your paint when shampooing.

3. Watch It Work
Within a few minutes (if your car’s color allows you to see it), those iron spots will turn purple due to the chemical reaction.

4. Rinse Thoroughly
After a couple of minutes, rinse it off.

5. Evaluate and Repeat
Step back and see if the iron spots are gone. If not, just repeat the process.

6. Agitation: Only If Necessary
We generally avoid scrubbing iron fallout since you could mar the surface if you drag metal particles around. But if it’s really bad and there’s no other choice, spray iron remover directly on the spots and a bit on a microfiber towel, then gently wipe them off.

Afterward, it’s wise to apply some form of protection so iron has a harder time sticking next time. We recommend our ceramic spray sealant, HERCULES, for a quick and easy job that still gives you solid protection.

No more rust ninjas—just a clean, smooth, and well-protected surface!