What causes paint to fade, chalk, and crack?
There are some things that can speed up the aging process of your car paint and cause it to deteriorate faster than normal. Here are some things that you should avoid if you want to keep your car paint looking new for longer:
- Bird droppings: Bird droppings are acidic and can eat through the clear coat on your car paint, causing it to become dull and faded. If you don’t remove bird droppings quickly, they can permanently damage your car paint.
- Tree sap:Like bird droppings, tree sap is also acidic and can eat through the clear coat on your car paint. If tree sap is not removed quickly, it can permanently damage your car paint.
- Pollution: Pollution can cause your car paint to become dull and faded. Over time, pollution will eat away at the clear coat on your car paint, causing it to become thin and brittle.
- Sunlight: Sunlight is one of the most damaging things to car paint. UV rays from the sun can cause the clear coat on your car paint to become dull and faded. Over time, sunlight will damage the structure of your car paint, causing it to crack and peel.
- Water spots: Water spots are caused by hard water deposits that build up on your car paint. If these deposits are not removed quickly, they can permanently damage your car paint.
If you want to keep your car paint looking new, it’s important to avoid these things. If you do accidentally damage your car paint, you should take it to a professional auto body shop to have it repaired.
What can you do to protect your car paint?
Here are some things that you can do to protect your car paint and keep it looking new:
- Hand wash your car: Hand washing is the best way to clean your car without damaging the paint. Use a gentle soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid using harsh chemicals, scrubbing pads, or high-pressure water.
- Wax your car regularly: Waxing creates a barrier between the paint and the elements. It will help to protect the paint from UV rays, salt, and debris.
- Park in a garage or covered area: Parking in a garage or under a carport will help to protect the paint from the sun and weather damage.
- Promptly remove bird droppings, tree sap, and other contaminants: The longer these substances sit on the paint, the more damage they will do. Use a soft cloth or sponge and a gentle cleaner to remove them.
- Polish your car regularly: Polishing helps to restore the shine to dull and faded paint. It also removes minor scratches and swirl marks.
Now that you know what can damage your car paint, you can take steps to protect it. By following these tips, you can keep your car looking new for years to come.