Written by: Emily Joswiak • February 20, 2024• Auto

5 Things That Can Damage Your Car’s Paint

Your car’s paint job helps protect your car on top of keeping it looking nice. To help take care of it, watch out for these five common causes of paint damage.

Maintaining your car’s paint job is not just about keeping it looking shiny and new; it’s about protecting the vehicle’s overall value and integrity. However, there are some common assailants to your car’s perfect finish that can be surprisingly damaging if you don’t deal with them promptly. If you take pride in their vehicle’s appearance, you should read on. Here are five things that can damage your car’s paint and how you can deal with them to prevent further damage.

Bird Droppings

Unexpected avian deposits can cause more than just an unsightly blemish on your car’s exterior. The acidic nature of this unwelcome splatter can etch into the clear coat of your car’s paint if left untreated. The longer it sits, the more potential for damage. Fortunately, there are many things you can do when birds damage your paint job to salvage it, but you want to take care of it as soon as possible.

UV Rays

The sun’s ultraviolet rays don’t just affect our skin. They can also lead to the deterioration of your car’s paint by breaking down the chemical bonds. The most common effect of prolonged UV exposure is fading, but it may also cause your paint to crack over time. If possible, park your car in the shade or invest in a tarp or cover if you live in particularly hot and sunny areas.

Tree Sap

Parking your car under a tree may help protect your car from sunlight, but then you may have to deal with another common thing that can damage your car’s paint—tree sap. When sap drops onto your vehicle, it can stick like glue to the surface and, over time, can discolor the paint or even peel it off when you try to remove it. The best approach is to gently apply a sap remover solution specifically designed for vehicles, then wash and wax the car to protect it.

Salt

For those of us living here in Florida, the salt in the air can do a lot more damage than you’d think. Salt is one of the most common causes of corrosion and rust and can certainly damage your paint and other parts of your car if you’re not careful. The best way to protect your vehicle from salt is to gently wash it off every now and then, particularly if you’re driving around closer to the beach.

Abrasive Cleaners or Tools

The simple truth is that one of the harshest things for your car’s paint job is something you might be putting there yourself. Abrasive cleaners or overly scratchy tools can easily chip away at your paint and cause scratches or other blemishes. We recommend using certified safe cleaning products and a softer tool like a microfiber cloth to maintain that bright sparkle!

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Last modified: February 20, 2024