Car paint gets damaged over time, whether it’s natural causes or small mistakes that might occur now and then. Either way, car paint damage is something you should be aware of.
It isn’t just about chipped paint or paint that has peeled off, there are a multitude of ways a car’s paint can be damaged. Today, we’ll be taking a look at 10 different types of car paint damage that you should be aware of.
1. Damage By Sunlight
If left in an open space for an extended time, car exteriors can get whiteish, blotchy spots caused by the sun. This can be prevented in two different ways:
- Park under a shade
- Use a car cover
This issue can be solved through a multitude of solutions as well:
- Visiting a car wash frequently
- Waxing your car
- Applying a sealant on the car exterior
2. Paint Scratches
When your car grazes a random object, pain scratches can happen. This is a frequent occurrence cause your car might unexpectedly bump into something, or even into the wall of your own garage.
While they are pretty much unavoidable, you can take a few protection measures to ensure that doesn’t happen. An extra layer of protection such as a car paint film or glass coatings can help you safeguard against paint scratches.
3. Paint Oxidation
Paint oxidation is a natural form of car paint damage that happens over time. The worst part of paint oxidation is that it isn’t visible till a large area has been affected by oxidation.
The oxidation spots look like smoky-white blotches and spots on your car. The best way to keep paint oxidation to a minimum is to apply wax and sealant on your car exterior.
4. Swirls
Automatic car washes use stiff brushes, and these brushes move in a swirly motion to cover most areas of your car’s exterior to clean it.
While the idea sounds efficient, repeated visits to an automatic car wash cause your car to get swirls on the car paint from the repeated scratches in the same motion with the stuff brushes.
Another way to get swirls on your car body is when you’re drying the car with a towel that’s dirty, or covering the vehicle with a soiled car cover.
Swirls are relatively easy to get rid of since you can just apply steam wash to take the swirls away.
5. Clear Coat Peeling
Clear coat peeling is another occurrence that happens over a long time where the paint coating slowly peels off. This happens due to regular exposure to natural elements present in the environment.
But coat peeling can also occur due to poor car maintenance. If you are worried about losing your precious paint coating, here’s a list of car care tips for your convenience.
6. Paint Damage Done By Tree Saps
Tree saps often leave glue-like spots on the paint of your vehicle. Tree saps do the most paint damage since these spots can result in extensive exterior repair if not removed soon enough.
These glue-like spots often harden and become permanent on your car’s paint, and you cannot remove them without damaging your current paint, which results in a complete paint change.
The most obvious advice to help with this issue is not to park your car under a tree without covering it with a car cover. And of course, regular cleaning and waxing can help you prevent these tree sap damages from accumulating over your car paint.
7. Bird Droppings
Bird droppings are a very common reason that can cause paint damage, and the reason is similar to the damages done by tree saps.
If not taken care of as soon as possible, they harden on the car surface and cause damage to your car paint. Regular cleaning and waxing can take care of the problem.
8. Fading Car Paint
Another natural occurrence on this list is car paint fading away, which happens from constant exposure to sun rays. Car paint can also faint when you use harsh chemicals to clean your car.
Car paint also can fade away when you’re living in an environment where there’s salt in the air, which is common if your resident is near a sea or an ocean.
You can maintain the glossy finish of your car paint through regular maintenance of washing and waxing. You can also visit car washes to help your car stay looking sharp.
9. Paint Chippings
When driving through any area, your car tires are bound to crush small gravel and stones. These gravels and stones sometimes bounce up and hit your car body, resulting in paint chippings.
This is the kind of damage that you can’t avoid, but there are ways like applying glass coating or protection film on your car to reduce the overall amount of paint chippings.
10. Premature Rusting
Rusting occurs from your car’s metal parts being exposed to natural elements. The oxygen in the air comes in contact with the exposed metal sections of your car, causing rusting.
Premature rusting can occur on any car if it isn’t maintained properly, and the painting is peeled off, exposing the metal bits.
Taking care of your car through frequent maintenance, washing, and waxing can help you prevent premautre rusting.
Bottom Line
Before we end our discussion, let’s take a look at the top 10 types of car paint damage that you need to be cautious about:
1. Damage by sunlight
2. Paint scratches
3. Paint oxidation
4. Swirl damages
5. Clear coat peeling
6. Paint damage done by tree saps
7. Bird droppings
8. Fading car paint
9. Paint chippings
10. Premature rusting
If you’re worried about your car losing its charm and shine from any of these damages, Mav is here to help you with any type of car detailing and servicing concerns!
FAQ
The most common types include scratches, chips, oxidation, fading, bird droppings, rust, swirl marks, water spots, paint transfer, and acid rain damage.
Avoid parking near bushes, use proper washing techniques, and consider applying a protective film or ceramic coating to your vehicle.
Paint chips are typically caused by road debris, gravel, or small rocks hitting your car at high speeds.
Oxidation causes car paint to look dull and faded, reducing your vehicle’s overall appearance and value.
Yes, prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause paint fading and oxidation, especially on darker-colored vehicles.
Bird droppings are highly acidic and can etch into your car’s paint if not removed promptly, causing permanent damage.
Rust can begin forming within 48 hours if the metal beneath the paint is exposed to moisture and oxygen.
Swirl marks are typically caused by improper washing techniques, using dirty cloths, or automatic car washes with abrasive brushes.
Dry your car thoroughly after washing, avoid parking under sprinklers, and consider using a water-repellent coating.
Paint transfer happens when your car comes into contact with another painted surface, such as another vehicle or a painted wall.
Acid rain can etch into your car’s clear coat and paint, leaving permanent marks if not addressed quickly.
Yes, tree sap can bond to your car’s paint and, if left for too long, can cause discoloration and etching.
Wash your car regularly to remove road salt, apply a good wax or sealant, and consider using a ceramic coating for added protection.
Some automatic car washes can cause swirl marks. Look for touchless washes or hand-wash your car for the best paint protection.
Yes, if left on the paint for too long, the acids in bug splatter can etch into your car’s clear coat and paint.
For optimal protection, wax your car every 3-4 months, or consider a longer-lasting ceramic coating.
For light scratches, use a scratch removal product or consider professional paint correction for deeper scratches.
Yes, gasoline can dissolve car paint if spilled and not cleaned up immediately. Always wipe up spills right away.
Hard water can leave mineral deposits on your car’s paint, causing water spots and potentially etching if left untreated.
Paint protection film can provide excellent protection against chips, scratches, and other types of paint damage, especially for high-end vehicles or those driven in harsh conditions.