Car owners beware! There are many products and chemicals out there that can permanently damage your car’s paint. Knowing in advance which things can be harmful will help you prevent something from ruining the paint job. Avoid expensive damages or repainting your car by avoiding these harmful substances.
Let’s run down the most common – and most surprising – 10 things which can damage your car’s paint.
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Gas
Silly string
Shaving cream
Ashes
Shoe polish
Tar
Salt
Table of Contents
Top 10 Surprising Vehicle Paint Enemies
Brake fluid
There has been some confusion over this substance’s damaging effects in the automotive world. The experts say that not all brake fluids are actually harmful to the car’s surface, but you should be careful when handling brake fluids that are not silicone-based. Generally, this refers to older types of brake fluid, which are caustic can act like paint thinner and cause the outer layer to peel. The development of more durable car paints has also helped to protect the vehicle from these types of chemicals.
Read What to Do If You Get Brake Fluid on Car Paint.
Most people don’t know that beverages like coffee and soda can harm your car paint. These drinks have high acidity levels which can eat away at the protective layer of paint and begin the corrosion process. Sugar added to the coffee and which is present in soda drinks also leave behind a sticky residue. Be sure to clean up any messes as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage.
Bird droppings
Another damaging substance that will probably surprise you is bird excretions. The droppings can leave a permanent mark on the outside of a vehicle because they are acidic and, when baked on under the sun, they harden onto the paint. It’s best not to let the droppings dry and remove them promptly with a wet rag and mild detergent. When cleaning, try not to rub the spot because seed particles and grit in the droppings can scratch the surface of the underlying paint.
Gas
Car owners should be careful when filling up the tank. Gas that overflows or drips onto the body of the car can stain. The gasoline evaporates, but it can leave marks behind and damage the clear coat. The best preventative measure is to have the vehicle waxed after each car wash. This will also make cleanup easier.
Silly string
It may seem like a harmless prank or a fun way to celebrate, but spraying silly string onto a car can actually leave a stain. If the resin and colorants in the silly string are allowed to dry in the sun, they could cause further damage. To clean silly string from the car, we recommend spot cleaning with soap in water or a full car wash for bigger messes. Any remaining residue could be removed with the help of WD40 or a similar spray product.
Shaving cream
Similarly, shaving cream can cause discoloration of car paint if it’s left there. Wash the vehicle thoroughly with soap as soon as possible.
Ashes
Wildfires or house fires in the area can be a threat to your car. If ashes and soot settle on the outside of the vehicle and are exposed to moisture, from sprinklers or rain for example, it causes a chemical reaction. When wet, the potassium and calcium in the ashes can etch the car’s paint and leave a dark grey stain.
Shoe polish
You might be surprised to find out that shoe polish can stain a car and may be difficult, if not impossible to remove. It’s important not to let it sit or dry on the paint. To clean the polish off your car, refer to an automotive supply store to find a specialized detergent.
When the outside temperatures peak during the summer months, it’s possible to spot tar that has started to melt. Tar can also pose a problem if you drive through fresh asphalt that has just been laid. The substance tends to stick to the car’s paint and, if allowed to dry, it can be tough to get off. Your local auto accessory store should carry products that will help dissolve the tar without damaging the paint.
Salt
In many areas, including Pennsylvania, salt is used to prevent ice from forming and melt ice on the roadways during the winter. It is an efficient and inexpensive way to make streets safer when the temperatures drop, but it can lead to big problems for your car. Road salt can make your vehicle more susceptible to rust and speed up the corrosion process. To help protect the paint and body of the car from rust, wash it often during the winter. You should also have it treated with a wax or sealant before the first snow. If you have just purchased a new car, consider investing in permanent rust protection treatment.
Get more expert tips here: 8 Ways to Protect Car Paint in the Winter.
BADELL’S COLLISION – PROFESSIONAL CAR PAINTING
Badell’s Collision is a local, family-owned body shop. We provide top-quality car painting services. You can request an estimate online or call our Aston or Malvern locations to speak with one of our automotive specialists.
About The Author
Brandon Badel
Brandon Badel is the owner of family-owned Badell's Collision. Brandon's "customer first" approach and true commitment to going above and beyond is what distinguishes him from other local shop owners. Brandon is proud to have two locations to better serve Chester and Delaware County car owners, and looks forward to a future full of success for his team.
Various other fluids, such as engine oil, antifreeze, and caked on brake dust can cause paint damage if not addressed promptly. In case of a spill, rinse the area thoroughly with water and consult professionals for any necessary paint repairs.
Various other fluids, such as engine oil, antifreeze, and caked on brake dust can cause paint damage if not addressed promptly. In case of a spill, rinse the area thoroughly with water and consult professionals for any necessary paint repairs.
Coffee and soda are both acidic liquids, which eat away at car paint. They often have sugar, too, which leaves behind a sticky residue. Wash your car as soon as possible after a soda or coffee spill. Brake fluid: Brake fluid softens your paint, which makes it easier to chip and bubble.
Any collision repair technician will tell you that there are a handful of everyday substances we come in contact with that can deteriorate your paint and cause damage.
This home staple is a versatile multi-purpose cleaner and is great for many surfaces, including the exterior of your car and upholstery. While white vinegar is acidic, when diluted it won't damage your car paint – just avoid using it regularly and only when there is dirt that just won't budge.
Bird Droppings: The acidity in bird droppings can eat into the clear coat and paint if left unattended for a long time. Tree Sap: Tree sap is sticky and can be challenging to remove. If left on the car's surface, it can damage the paint. Road Salt: In areas with winter weather, road salt is used to melt ice on th.
First, WD40 is a petroleum-based product, so it can potentially damage the paint on your car if used excessively. Second, WD40 will only remove light scratches; deeper scratches will require more intensive treatment.
Despite not being a direct threat to automotive paint, hydrogen peroxide does one hell of a number on any wax or sealant sitting atop it, drastically reducing the protective properties put in place to protect the automobile's porous hard surfaces. Beware of ammonia-based window cleaners as well.
Old ethylene glycol on the old type paint on an antique car will show damage. Propylene glycol on modern paint, the glycol just makes dirt want to stick a bit better but has no effect other than that. If the car paint is after the 80s, you probably have no problem.
This is another urban legend when it comes to car paint repair. Vaseline will not protect the paint on your car from damage. In fact, the oil in Vaseline may even attract dirt and dust which will cause scratches to worsen. So the urban myths are just myths.
For starters, it's highly corrosive. When left unchecked on your car's surface, it can erode the protective layers of the paint, leaving it susceptible to chipping, fading, peeling, and rusting. Beyond the exterior, salt can cause undercarriage car damage, eroding vital auto parts like brake lines and exhaust systems.
Paint Protection Film (or PPF) is a thin thermoplastic urethane film applied over the vehicle's paint — think of it like another transparent layer of protection, but it won't chip like a clear coat. PPF protects the paint against stone chips, bug residue, minor abrasions, and UV rays.
Using glass cleaner on car paint can lead to chemical reactions that affect the paint's finish. Ammonia and harsh solvents, common in glass cleaners, can strip away protective wax and damage the clear coat.
Baking soda is a really gentle abrasive so it's the perfect choice for removing tree sap and bugs from your car's exterior without damaging the finish. Dip a damp cloth in some baking soda and use a circular motion to remove all of those nasty little blemishes. Then simply rinse the area to remove the baking soda.
When cleaning your engine, it's important to use a non-corrosive cleaner that doesn't harm or degrade any metal, plastic or rubber components. You should avoid using vinegar, because the acetic acid makes metal susceptible to rust.
The paint on your vehicle should last 10 – 15 years if it's properly cared for, but exposure to the elements, long-term exposure to sunlight, and acidic substances can damage your car paint or make it age quicker. The type of paint your vehicle has will also be a factor in how long it lasts.
If your car was painted with low-quality materials or if the clear coat was not applied properly, the paint may start to peel off sooner than it should. If you suspect that your car's paint is peeling due to low-quality materials, your best bet is to have the paint professionally redone using high-quality materials.
Kerosene would destroy your clear coat, so people sometimes claim that WD-40 would do the same. However, the ingredients are not used individually. WD-40 is mixed to precise proportions, and once it's mixed together, the ingredients are safe on your paint. Yes, you read that right.
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