6 Common Things That Can Damage Your Car’s Paint

There are a number of things that cars are exposed to on a daily basis that dull, fade and otherwise damage your once-pristine paint job.

Some are obvious, but others might surprise you and oftentimes strike unexpectedly.

With that in mind, here are 6 everyday things that can damage your car’s paint.

 Splattered Insects

Dead insects on the chassis of cars might appear harmless. But their bodies are acidic. Therefore, they can actually cause serious damage to your vehicle’s paint. In addition, if they are not removed immediately, insect body imprints can actually become etched permanently into the top layers.  However, just cleaning the windshield is not enough. Wash them off right away to prevent damage. Wash with a good car wash solution and for the more stubborn guts, use an insect and tar remover.

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Tree Sap

If you park your car under a tree, you’re likely to have tree sap drop on your car. Those annoying tree sap chemicals that react with your car’s painted surface makes it not only difficult to clean off, but it also can damage the paint permanently. Ancient peoples used tree sap as glue for a good reason.

The best way to remove tree sap is to immediately wipe it off using a soft wet cloth with an indicated polish or rubbing compound.  Then wash the area several times with soap and water until all traces of the sap are gone.

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Fuel Pump spill

Be careful when filling up your tank at the fuel station. When filling up your tank, some of the petrol sometimes accidentally spill on the body of your car. The petrol evaporates, but it can leave marks behind and damage the clear paint coat.  When that happens, it is nearly impossible to get the stain off.

If you do happen to spill petrol by accident, the best solution is to grab a bottle of instant detailer and a good, clean microfiber cloth and clean up the fuel before it does any harm.

Bird Droppings

Birds poop can leave a permanent mark on the outside of a vehicle. This is because they are acidic. When baked under the sun, these excretions harden onto the car paint. Not only that, but birds eat seeds and bits of gravel that can scratch your car’s paint.

As soon as you notice bird’s dropping on your car, wash it off immediately.

Use soft and wet tissue cloth to gently wipe away the droppings. When wiping off the poop, be sure to use a lifting action, since you don’t want to grind any grit onto your paint.

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Exposure to sunlight

The sun’s UV rays have a damaging effect on vehicle paint finishing.  Dulling and fading can occur if your car spends many hours a day exposed to direct sunlight.  Auto body paint professionals advise that you keep your car garaged, parked in a shady area, or that you use a car cover when possible to prevent sunlight-related damage.

Dry Dusting or Writing on dusty car paint

When dust settles on your car paint finish, resist the urge to grab a towel to remove it. Dust is highly abrasive and will leave behind fine – and sometimes, not so fine – scratches.

Instead, wash your car with car wash soap (never use dishwasher soap on your vehicle) and water or use a detailing spray or specially-designed duster to remove the dust. Oh, and by the way, drawing a smiley face or writing “wash me” can cause deep damage to the finish.

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