There is nothing that can impact the look of a car quite like damage to the paint. When the damage is done, you have to worry about car paint matching as it can be a tricky process – whether you do it on your own or if you’re paying a professional to do the job.
While you may not be able to fully protect your vehicle from such an event, there are things to be aware of. Before you find yourself having to explore car paint match or colour match car paint, here are eight potential hazards to your car’s paint job that you need to know!
1. Bird Poop
Bird poop may be the most common enemy to vehicle paint. Birds seemingly go out of their way to leave their droppings on your shiny new paint job. While it looks awful, the acidity within can wear down your paint. It starts with staining, then dulling, and can even chip paint away over time. Take care of those nasty bird droppings before they have a chance to fester and cause real damage to your car’s paint job.
2. The Sun
While the sun is responsible for providing us with very valuable vitamin D, there are some very dangerous hazards as well. That comment applies not only to us, but our cars as well. If you leave your car out in the sun on a regular basis, it can damage the paint. That vibrant colour will look more and more faded over time, so keep your car in shade, a garage, or carport if you can.
3. Gravel
Driving on gravel can have the kind of immediate impact that bird droppings and sunlight don’t. If you drive on dirt gravel and hear the constant noise of rocks bouncing off of your car, it can’t be doing good things for your paint. It can scratch and dent the paint, leaving you with the need to treat the issue sooner rather than later.
4. Salt
For those who live in colder areas, it is not uncommon to see trucks out spreading salt. The salt helps to melt ice and provide an enhanced grip for tires. But that same salt can be highly detrimental for your vehicle. Salt build-up over time can chip away at paint and leave it stained and tattered. In the winter especially, regular car washes are a great idea.
5. Petrol
Despite the prevalence of electric vehicles, most of the world still uses petrol in their cars. For the most part, that petrol goes into the car, not on it. But if the petrol leaks out and gets onto your car, it has the potential to strip the paint. If you notice petrol on your car after a fill-up, clean it away as soon as you can.
6. Dust
Dust may seem inconsequential as it is just a thin layer of filth. But sometimes all it takes is the most minute of factors to leave your paint’s finish looking scratched and dull. Regular car washes can help to protect your car’s paint and ensure that small imperfections like this don’t happen. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.
7. Ice
Another problem for those in colder areas. When snow sits on your car and hardens, that ice can be potentially damaging to the paint. Make sure that you brush off your car, shaving away any ice that may be on the paint. Keeping your vehicle in a garage or carport is the best option here, though that may not be available to everyone.
8. A Dirty Cloth
This one might seem a little out there but think about it. When you wash and wax your car, a cloth or rag that is rough can potentially scratch the paint on your car. Any damage can potentially weaken your paint job, even something as small as a few scratches from a rough rag.
Life happens and damage can occur to your car’s paint. Still, you can take plenty of preventative measures to ensure that your paint job stays vibrant and shining for a long time to come. If you’re on the hunt for hail damage repair, car smash repairs or car paint matching services, simply contact the experts at Brighton Panel Works today. The specialist team has been servicing prestige cars in the greater Melbourne area for over 50 years.