There’s nothing like a pristine automotive paint job. When a car drives past that’s shiny, clean and perfect, heads automatically turn to watch it go by.
Lots of people love having their car’s paint job in perfect condition. They wash and wax it regularly. But in a place like Vancouver, keeping the paint job perfect can be a difficult task. There are hazards everywhere!
Of course, the best thing to do to keep that paint perfect is to keep the car hidden and protected. But not everyone has the luxury of parking their vehicles in a covered, dry, safe place. So if you live in Vancouver or any major city, here’s what you need to avoid to preserve your automotive paint job.
Bird Droppings
It seems birds have some kind of weird knowledge that as soon as you wash your car, it’s a great place to drop some…droppings. It happens every time! Bird droppings erode paint and expose the underlying layers so wash them away as soon as you can and try not to park in bird hazard zones like under a tree or wires.
Eggs
Have you done something to upset the little rascals in your neighborhood? Have they retaliated by throwing eggs at your car? If so, wash them off immediately because eggs will eat away at the layers of paint on your vehicle.
Ice/Salt
In Vancouver, the roads aren’t icy often. But when they are, the city heavily salts and sands them. That salt is terrible for paint so wash it as soon as it warms up!
Gasoline
Most people are careful when filling their tanks, but if there is spillage onto the vehicle, that gasoline can eat through the top layer of protection, exposing your paint to the elements and putting it at risk.
Tree Sap
Yes, trees are beautiful and we are lucky to have so many in Vancouver. But some, like the giant maple trees that line some streets, drip sap onto vehicles and both break down the paint and act like glue for other dirt and debris.
Bug Guts
While it’s not as bad in the city, bug guts can do damage to your automotive paint job, especially if you are going on a road trip. It’s a good idea to run your vehicle through a car wash when you get to your destination.
Dirt and Debris
If left to build up, dirt and debris can cause scratches and imperfections to a paint job. Or if you leave too much dust on your car, you’re almost asking someone to trace the words “WASH ME” into it. While this might seems funny at first, it actually scratches and damages the paint.
Detergents and Abrasive Cleaners
If you are going to wash your car at home, make sure you use automotive soap. Things like dish detergent and/or sponges that have a scratchy side will do more harm than good. Find a soft sponge and proper car soap before you start washing.
Temperature Fluctuations
It’s not that easy to protect your vehicle against Mother Nature’s whims, but drastic swings in temperature can cause the paint to expand and shrink. Over time, this will cause the paint to degrade so you might want to cover your car in the extreme sun or ultracold.
The best thing you can do to keep an automotive paint job in good condition in Vancouver is to take action. Apply a wax coating to give it some extra protection, watch where you park and give it a wash if you see build up.
And if there’s already damage done, bring it into Grandcity auto body shop in Vancouver and we’ll be happy to help!