Most people purchase a vehicle for its looks and performance. But unless the vehicle is kept in a garage and never driven, it’s impossible to keep it in pristine condition. Some kind of damage to the vehicle’s clear coat or enamel paint on the car is to be expected.

If you want your vehicle to remain in the best shape possible, you need to take an active role in maintenance and damage prevention. The risk for damage increases the longer a substance remains on the paint.

Ultraviolet light: Just as UV light affects the skin, hair and other parts of your body, it also affects a vehicle’s paint. UV rays oxidize the paint and cause a white, powdery film to form on the car. Washing the car frequently and applying the best quality wax will help keep UV rays from penetrating the paint.

Oversprays: It’s not always possible to prevent your vehicle from getting doused in paint spray, tar, concrete and other chemicals routinely used in construction zones. Don’t allow these substances to harden on your vehicle. Rinse promptly with automotive soap – and avoid construction zones whenever possible.

Rain: Both acid rain and regular rainwater (plus other sources of water) can dissolve paint over time. The U.S. Geological Survey states that water is a universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid. Whenever the vehicle becomes wet, it should be dried with a towel or chamois and not allowed to air dry.

Natural substances: Tree sap, bird droppings and splattered insects contain compounds that can erode the paint on a vehicle. Avoid parking under large trees where sap and bird droppings may be prevalent. In terms of bug splatter, try to wash it off as soon as possible to alleviate damage.

Eggs: Some rambunctious children get their kicks from egging vehicles. The enzyme and sulfur content of an egg can cause paint and clear coat to dissolve, leaving white spots in the wake of the egg. Since egg can be sticky and hard to remove once dried, it needs to be washed off as soon as possible. It takes only a few hours for the damage to become permanent.

Bleach: Although a bleach-and-water solution can be an effective way to clean many things, it should not be used on a vehicle. Bleach is an oxidizer and will pit metal and discolor paint. Be careful with pool chemicals as well, as chlorinator is usually regular household bleach.

There are many things that can damage a vehicle’s paint job. Although it’s impossible to shield it from everything, taking a few simple precautions can keep your vehicle sparkling like new.

– Courtesy of Metro Services