Road Dangers That Can Damage Your Car's Paint

Sometimes lives get hectic, and you think getting a car wash isn't important. After all, the car's just going to get dirty again, right? You can wait until a convenient time or a period when bad weather isn't expected.

However, putting off a car wash can cost you in the long run. Certain grime associated with driving as well as dangers from above can damage your paint job if you don't wash it off quickly. Keep reading to learn about a few road dangers that can damage your car's paint.

When the sun is shining, you naturally want to park in the shade. After all, not only will the shade keep your car's interior from overheating, it will also help protect your upholstery and even paint job from the sun's harmful UV rays. If a manmade structure isn't handy, you may decide to park under a tree. Unfortunately, trees can drop sap and other debris onto your car. The sap itself is unsightly. If left alone, it can attract dirt, which makes it adhere to the car's surface. It can even trap the other tree debris in its stickiness. The car will look exceptionally dirty if enough sap has gotten onto the car. More importantly, the sap can start to eat through the paint and promote rust.

Another danger of parking under a tree is that birds resting there might use it as a toilet. That said, birds fly wherever they want, even over densely populated areas. When they feel the urge, they just release their droppings mid-flight. Said droppings can easily fall onto your car. They're unsightly on their own. However, the highly acidic droppings can damage the car's paint job. What's more, bird droppings are susceptible to heat changes. The substance will actually bond to the car's paint because of a rise in temperatures. Over time, though, they dry out and shrink on the surface. Because of the bond they've formed with the paint, they can put enough tension on the surface that it cracks the paint. Quick removal is the best way to prevent damage.

Many town governments have crews spread road salt after snow or ice storms. The salt lowers the freezing point of the liquid, which makes ice less likely to form on the roads. Obviously, less ice makes roads safer to drive on. However, the salt itself can wreak havoc on your car's surface. This damage may not relate to the car's paint job immediately. Rather, the salt causes oxidization, which turns to rust. The paint job usually consists of multiple levels designed to protect it from such oxidization. However, unpainted parts of the car are more susceptible to oxidization and rust. And once the rust starts there, it can work its way to the more visible parts of your car.

If you go on a road trip, your car will probably collide with insects out in the countryside. The pests can splatter and adhere to your car's front surfaces, especially the bumper and windshield. Large enough insects may even splatter onto your car hood. All of that is gross and leaves your car looking dirty. The insect debris can also damage the paint surface. Insect blood and organs are highly acidic. What's more, they contain other chemicals that are especially damaging to a car's clear coating. Their innards can eat through the surface of the coating in only a few days. You should spot wash the area as soon as you stop the car. However, a full wash is needed to completely remove the residue and prevent any paint damage. Don't let your car's paint job become dull, cracked, or rough because of inattention. Develop a regular schedule of car washes to preserve your car's paint. Visit Grand Prix Car Wash for car cleaning services.