Automotive car paint continues to improve but there are still some substances that can harm your vehicle’s paint.
- Magnesium Chloride – This compound is critical in keeping our roads and bridges safer during cold and snowy weather but it should be washed off from both your paint and undercarriage soon after it splashes onto your vehicle. Magnesium chloride can only be removed with warm soapy water. Many Denver car washes do not heat their water so it is useless in removing magnesium chloride from your vehicle.
- DIY Car Washers – Use a clean sponge, shammy and cloth. Dirty cleaning tools can leave small scratches in your paint.
- Acidic compounds – Coffee or bird droppings can stain the surface of your vehicle.
- Chemicals – If gasoline drips onto your car paint at fill up, clean it off quickly or discoloration and/or permanent stains can happen. Brake fluid can also cause paint damage.
- Eggs – If some egghead throws an egg at your car wash it off immediately. There’s a protein in eggs that will cause the paint to look foggy or faded if you don’t wash it off immediately.
- Household items – Shaving cream, shoe polish, silly string and mustard are other household items that can stain paint.
- Scratches – Especially annoying are hairline scratches caused by any number of metal or sharp objects that can make your car look old before its time.
Do yourself and your car a favor, wash your vehicle on a schedule, don’t wait until so much dirt and grime collects on the surface that it takes 2 washes before it’s clean. Happy and clean motoring!
