Repairing damaged car paint is more difficult than you might think. In fact, car companies have created between fifty and sixty thousand car paint colors over the years! This means that finding an exact color match for your car may be difficult or costly.
Thankfully, avoiding paint damage is simple, as long as you’re aware of the issues that cause it.
Curious to learn more? Keep reading. We’ll review the four most common causes of car paint damage in Franklin and how to avoid them.
1. Cleaning Cloths
Did you know that the items you’re using to clean your vehicle may actually be damaging your car’s paint? This is because cleaning cloths pick up debris, dust, and dirt. And if they’re not properly cleaned after every use, they transfer these items when used again.
All it takes is one swipe of a dirty cloth or rag across your car’s exterior to create tons of scratches. Avoid this issue by only using new or clean microfiber cloths to wipe down your vehicle.
2. Bird Droppings
Not only are bird droppings unappealing, but they can also damage your car’s exterior. And the scientific explanation behind this damage may surprise you.
During the day, the paint on your car is warm and expanded. If a bird dropping makes contact with your car during this time, it will harden while the paint is soft. Once night falls, the paint will contract around the hardened area, causing an imperfection in the paint’s surface.
To avoid damage from bird droppings, act fast. The quicker you can remove the dropping, the less likely it is to cause permanent harm.
3. Sunlight Can Cause Car Paint Damage
If you want your car’s color to stay vibrant, keep it out of the sun. After all, just like the sun’s UV rays can cause damage to our skin, they can also cause exterior car damage.
When UV rays hit your car’s paint, they damage the paint’s molecular bonds. And this damage can cause more than just a faded appearance. To avoid sun damage, keep your car parked in a covered area.
4. Automatic Car Washes
If you think automatic car washes are an effective way to clean your vehicle, think again. In fact, they may be causing exterior automobile damage at every turn. The brushes, bristles, fabrics, and cleaning agents used in automatic car washes are far too abrasive, causing scratches or even chipping your car’s paint.
Next time you want a sparkling clean car, look into vehicle detailing. Steering clear of automatic washes will prevent expensive damage to your car.
The Bottom Line
Car paint damage is detrimental to more than just your car’s appearance—it affects your car’s value as well. In order to avoid repainting expenses, remember:
- Avoid automatic car washes.
- Keep your vehicle out of the sun.
- Only use clean or new cloths to wipe your car’s exterior.
- If you see a bird dropping on your car, clean it off right away to avoid permanent damage.
Do you have any questions about this article or our services? Feel free to contact us anytime.