something embedded in my paint (most everywhere)

I went to wash and wax my newly-acquired 1999 Camry, and found that the paintwork - especially the roof, trunk and hood - were sort-of gritty. On very close examination I find that there are tiny particles embedded all over the paint, and if I pick one off with a fingernail, it leaves a tiny pit.

What in the world could've caused this? I thought about welding residue, but ALL OVER the car? And all in teenysie little particles?

I'm concerned that if they "melted" (or however they got there) all the way through the paint, I'm going to have a major rust bucket in a few years (even though I'm in Florida).

Who knows what "evil" embeds in our paint. It could be industrial fall out, overspray, tree sap or other such nasties.

My suggestion would be to try a clay bar to remove the particles. This should leave your ride as smooth as a baby's butt. Follow up the claying with a good coat of wax for shine and most importantly... protection.

Sounds like you have what i refer to as solvent popping going on in the paint. Is there a cure? To be honest the olny cure i know of is repainting it.