5 Substances That Can Ruin Your Vehicle’s Paint
JB Auto Paint & Body in Longview, TX knows how important it is to keep your car looking its best. Dents and dings can detract from your car’s appearance, so it’s always a good idea to address them as soon as possible. For those who take pride in their car’s appearance, waxing your vehicle regularly will help maintain its smooth, vibrant paint.
But in addition to regular maintenance, it’s essential to avoid certain substances that can seriously damage your vehicle’s paint. Here are five substances that you should keep away from your car’s exterior to preserve its finish:
1. Shaving Cream
Shaving cream might seem harmless, but it can cause serious damage to your vehicle’s paint. Often used as a prank, especially during weddings, shaving cream can discolor your paint if it’s left on too long.
If someone puts shaving cream on your vehicle, it’s important to remove it before it dries. While foamy shaving cream won’t cause immediate damage, dried cream can cause discoloration. Always rinse it off quickly to prevent any lasting effects on your paint.
2. Vehicle Fluids
Your car needs fluids like brake fluid and coolant to run smoothly, but these should never come into contact with your car’s paint. Vehicle fluids can soften the paint, making it more susceptible to damage.
If you spill vehicle fluids on your car, be sure to clean them up immediately. The longer the fluid sits on the surface, the more it can damage your paint, potentially leading to costly repairs.
3. Bird Droppings
It’s a common and frustrating issue—bird droppings on your car. Not only do they look unsightly, but they can also ruin your paint if left too long. Bird droppings are highly acidic, with a pH level of up to 4.5, which can eat through your car’s wax coating and paint.
It only takes 3 minutes for bird droppings to start affecting your vehicle’s paint. To protect your car, park indoors whenever possible and avoid parking under trees where birds tend to congregate.
4. Eggs
Eggs, particularly the yolk, are highly acidic and can be just as damaging to your vehicle’s paint as bird droppings. While throwing eggs at cars is a common prank, it’s also a serious threat to your car’s appearance.
The egg yolk can eat through the paint, and the eggshell can scratch the surface, damaging your vehicle’s base coat. If you find eggs on your car, remove them immediately—just like bird droppings, the longer eggs sit, the more damage they can cause.
5. Salt
In colder regions, salt is often spread on roads to melt ice, making driving safer. However, this corrosive substance can severely damage your car’s paint if it’s left on for too long.
If you live in a region that uses salt or plan to travel to one, be sure to wash your vehicle as soon as possible after exposure. Salt will eat through your paint and cause long-term damage if not cleaned off promptly.
Protect Your Vehicle’s Paint
If your vehicle’s paint has been damaged by any of these substances, don’t wait to get it fixed. At JB Auto Paint & Body, we specialize in auto body repairs and can help restore your car’s exterior to its original condition.
We offer free inspections to assess the damage and provide you with a no-hassle lifetime guarantee on all auto body repairs.
Contact Us Today
For expert care and quality repairs, contact JB Auto Paint & Body in Longview, TX. We’ll help you keep your car looking great, no matter what challenges it faces!