Many elements from our surroundings can damage your car paint. Some cause instant damage while others take time. From bird droppings and sharp objects to vandalism and minor accidents, there’s a lot that can ruin the exterior of your car. Naturally, knowing what damages car paint can help you protect it better against all those elements.
Here is a complete list of things that can damage your car paint, and all you need to know about preventing such damage.
Causes of Car Paint Damage
Dents caused by accidents aren’t the only things that scuff up your car’s paint. We have listed down a few seemingly harmless and everyday things that can fade your car’s beauty.
Petrol
A little prudence while filling up the tank can save your car from many mishaps. Fluids like diesel, petrol, brake fluids, and engine oil can damage your car paint. Although most of them evaporate quickly, they can leave marks and stains, which are impossible to remove if left too long.
Make sure to rinse the part that came in contact with fluids or you can apply a coat of liquid wax on your car. This will prevent paint from stripping and make the cleaning process easier.
Tree Sap
Some environmental factors can also damage car paint. One such example is tree sap that eats away at your car paint. Sap is hard to remove especially if it dries hard. The process can be accelerated, if the car is facing extreme temperature outside.
By not using proper products, you will only spread it to a wider area. Rubbing too hard can scratch and damage the car paint. Using microfiber mitt or tar removal spray can help remove sap. In addition to that, applying a wax layer can help prevent any future deposits. You can also use a spray cleaning solution and rubbing alcohol of your choice on top of the area covered with sap. Leave it for 30 sec to a minute, and then use a wet washcloth to gently remove the solution.
If sap has dried to the point where it has a tar like consistency, you can scrape it off with a box cutter blade. Just keep the blade flat against the surface to avoid causing more damage in the process.
Soda/Coffee
If you have a habit of placing your coffee cup and soft drink can on top of your car, make sure you clean the bottom edges of the cup and also wipe that area afterward. Most people don’t realize coffee and carbonated drinks can harm your car’s paint. Sugary drinks also leave a sticky residue on the surface. If hardened, they can leave a mark or damage the car’s paint.
In addition to that, these beverages have high acidity levels, if left for too long, they can eat away the protective layer of paint. If you do end up spilling these drinks on your car, make sure to wipe it up right away to prevent long term damage.
Water
Water itself doesn’t cause lasting damage if wiped immediately. Continuous rain, coastal air or automated sprinkles near the parking spot can be one of the main causes of car paint damage. Rainwater contains minerals that leave spots and are difficult to remove, but any water that stays on the surface for too long will expedite corrosion.
You may want to consider this guide for restoring faded car paint through some easy yet quick DIY option.
To prevent long term damage, you can park your car under a shade. If exposed in rain for too long, wash your car immediately with car shampoo, and dry it with a microfibre cloth. Exposure to water can rust the car parts, this guide can help you remove the rust from a car in 8 simple steps.
Vandalism
Unfortunately, one of the many causes of car paint damage is vandalism. Whether its graffiti or scratches, it would be better to have the car examined by a professional. Your insurance policy might cover such damages. However, they will require a police report to process your claim of vandalism. One more way to avoid vandalism is by investing in better car security and safer parking.
That concludes our guide of things that can damage your car paint. A scratch or scrape every now and then is inevitable, but there is a lot you can do to prevent excessive damage. Minor damage can be repaired through a simple DIY car paint correction process, but if your car paint keeps chipping for no apparent reason, it may be a good time to renew the entire paint. You can also consider buying a used car in Dubai in better condition to avoid such hassles.
For more information about cars and car parts, stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog.
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