What Gets Blown Around in the Wind Can Damage Your Paint.
I’m sure you agree when I say, Winter has lasted far too long this year, especially in Northern California, where the average temperature for March is supposed to be around 70 degrees. Not 49 degrees with high winds and heavy rain.
The other day, when there was a break in the weather, I ran a few errands. When I walked up to my car, fresh spring leaves were stuck to my car’s paint. Talk about being horrified to see that the wind had blown leaves all over my car’s paint and glass.
Just like you, I take pride in my 2020 Honda CRV, so I tried to brush the leaves off with my hand. I barely made progress, then I tried picking them off with my fingernail, but the leaves insisted on sticking to my paint. My next thought was, they’ll blow off as soon as I drive.
I was wrong. When I arrived at my destination, and climbed out of my vehicle, to my disbelief, those fresh spring leaves were still stuck to my car’s paint.
Now, you wouldn’t think that leaving those leaves stuck to my paint would be a big deal.
But you’d be wrong. You see wet leaves contain pollen and tree sap, which is acidic and can damage the finish on a car’s paint.
I’m sure you can imagine what I did next, with me being fanatical about my car. You guessed it. I immediately took it to a professional car wash.
When leaves mix with rainwater, you’ve got yourself a potential problem. The blend of natural acids and toxins can cause leaf stains on the surface of your paint.
Leaves and all plant life contain acid-based materials that help them absorb carbon-dioxide and convert it into oxygen. As the plant life dies, the inner composition seeps outward—and that’s when the damage can begin.
The problem with wet leaves is they are wet, and act like glue and will bond directly to your car’s paint.
Leaves and other contaminants can be a problem if they’re allowed to sit too long.
When I purchased my vehicle, I protected my car’s paint from damaging UV rays, pollen, bird dropping, acidic compounds, and pollutants in the air by applying ceramic coating.
You might find it hard to believe from looking at the photo of my vehicle, because it looks so shiny, but it had been several weeks since I last washed my car. We have the cold, miserable weather to thank for that.
You too can protect your car’s paint from oxidation by applying a ceramic coating. It removes the worry of contaminants damaging your paint, especially if you keep it maintained by washing your vehicle using ceramic soaps or foam every time you wash your car.
High winds, and even in inclement weather, it’s difficult to avoid debris, and contaminants from landing on your vehicle paint. But there are some precautions you can take during seasonal weather.
How to Avoid Oxidation to Your Car’s Paint.
- This one is obvious. Avoid parking under trees—especially if you’re not driving your vehicle very much.
- When you remove leaves from your vehicle, do it carefully. Remove them by hand or use a leaf blower at light air pressure. An air blower at full pressure can cause leaves to lodge in hard-to-reach places and cause swirl marks on your exterior paint if the leaves have dried. Also, don’t use any sharp objects to remove leaves from sunroof seams. This may cause damage to the felt or sunroof lining. Instead, use a car vacuum to dislodge any lodged leaves. To remove leaves from the windshield, open the hood to clear leaves from air ducts, and the heater intake system.
- You can remove tree sap and bird droppings by using a product such as Bug B Gone by Ceramic Garage. Just spray on and rinse off. Bug B Gone will also safely remove grease and grime from your paint.
- Wash your vehicle every two weeks: This is a general tip—but it’s important in fall. Leaves that fall on a vehicle can cause a lot of damage, and overtime; the leaf waste will eat away at the protective clear coating. Washing your vehicle every few weeks will reduce this type of damage. Using distilled water as a final rinse will reduce water stains.
- Wax your vehicle before the change of seasons will help protect the paint from oxidation. There are spray on waxes you can buy these days that make waxing your car so much easier.
- Consider protecting your paint against bird dropping, bug splatter, debris, and other contaminants by adding ceramic coating, or a paint protection film to your car’s painted surface. Do you have a long commute to work or enjoy weekend road trips? Then paint protection is the sensible choice for your car as it can protect the paint from chips caused by flying stones and insects.
- Do you wax your vehicle regularly by doing it yourself or having it professionally polished? Then paint protection might not be necessary. But if you love your vehicle and want to preserve its showroom finish, then do as I did and get your paint protected installed by Ceramic Garage of Modesto, CA. After all, it’s rather a substantial and lasting investment, so keep your vehicle looking in tip-top condition.
*Just remember, paint protection does not protect your vehicle against poor drivers on the road but (PPF) Paint Protection Film can help protect your paint against door dings from careless drivers, shopping carts, and rock chips.
Everyone these days who buys a new car wants to keep that showroom finish for as long as possible. Paint protection can help you achieve that goal.
Otherwise, those fallen leaves mixed with water and corrosion begin—and expedite the degrading on your paints clear coating, plastics, rubber, and even glass. If the leaf remains on your vehicle for an extended period, it can cause stains that only paint correction can remove. Continued exposure will ultimately create rust.
*Driving tip—Remember wet leaves can be slippery, so increase your distance from the vehicle in front of you on leaf-strewn roads.
*Driving tip—Remember wet leaves can be slippery, so increase your distance from the vehicle in front of you on leaf-strewn roads.
Phone: (209) 718-7000 to schedule your appointment
Location: 500 Glass Lane Ste C-3, D-4 Modesto, California 95356
Contact us through our Contact Form
