As your trusted car care specialists, we understand the unique challenges Australian car owners face when it comes to maintaining that showroom shine. Today, we want to shed light on the top 5 common contaminants that can take a toll on your car’s paint, and provide you with practical insights to keep your car looking its best. Besides, it is not always about that showroom shine, but a matter of taking small routine steps to avoid hefty unexpected bills down the line. For example, failing to respond to certain contaminants, will result in permanent damage. Early intervention is always key – don’t neglect and equip yourself with the right tools and supplies to keep your car in top shape.
5. Hard Water Spots e.g. Rain, Tap Water etc.
Water spots on cars are typically created when water containing contaminants, such as minerals or dirt, evaporates from the surface of the car. This leaves behind the residue of these contaminants, which can result in visible spots or marks on the paintwork. Some water spots may come out with a regular car wash shampoo and in some cases require machine polishing for those that have been left unattended for too long. The main difference is how long it has been there for, some can be difficult to remove even with a heavy machine cut and polish.
Factors that contribute to water spots include:
Hard Water: Water with a high mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium, can leave behind mineral deposits as it evaporates, leading to water spots.
Environmental Factors: Rainwater or even washed water that contains airborne pollutants or dirt can leave residues behind as it dries, resulting in water spots.
Sunlight: In combination with environmental factors, sunlight can bake water spots into the paintwork, making them more difficult to remove.
4. Pollution Reside – Traffic Film, Road Tar, Metal Fallout etc.
Pollution, including road tar and traffic film, can make its way onto your car through driving in urban areas or on highways where vehicles release exhaust emissions and particles. Road tar tends to get kicked up from the road surface and adhere to the car’s exterior, while traffic film is a combination of airborne pollutants and dirt that settles on the car.
These contaminants damage the paintwork by chemically reacting with the clear coat and paint, potentially causing staining, discolouration, and erosion. Additionally, they can trap moisture against the paint surface, leading to corrosion over time. It’s important to regularly clean and maintain your car to remove these pollutants and protect the paintwork from potential harm. You can use an industrial fallout remover to help address build-up, simply spray and rinse off after a few minutes along with the use of a clay bar decontamination process. If you regularly drive on highways, freeways or roads with heavy traffic, then this is something you should be on the lookout for. Often, your car will show a film of haziness and feel rough to touch.
3. Tree Sap and Pollen (acidic)
Tree pollen and sap can be detrimental to car paint due to their acidic nature, which corrodes and damages the paint over time. To make matters worse, tree sap hardens and becomes super difficult to remove, potentially leading to permanent staining if not promptly addressed. In our experience, regular cleaning and waxing can help mitigate the damage caused by tree pollen and sap or better yet any form of paint protection whether ceramic or graphene coating. These offer a hydrophobic (water repelling) property to your paint, meaning contaminants will have a harder time sticking. Meaning, when it comes to washing your car of tree sap and pollen, it will be easier to clean.
Tree sap isn’t good for your car’s paint for several reasons:
- Acidity: Tree sap is acidic. If it is not promptly removed and is allowed to sit on the car’s paint for an extended period, it can etch into the clear coat and cause discoloration and staining.
- Adheres Strongly: Sap can adhere strongly to the surface of your car. If not carefully removed, you could scratch or chip your car’s paint.
- Acts like Magnifying Glass: Sap can also act like a tiny magnifying glass, focusing sunlight onto the areas it covers, which may cause the paint to fade unevenly.
- Collects Dirt: Once on your car, sap can also attract and collect dust and dirt, which can lead to additional fine scratches or make the sap even harder to remove.
- Hardens Over Time: Over time, especially under hot sun, tree sap can harden and become even more challenging to remove, potentially requiring professional help.
Care should be taken to immediately clean off any sap spots on your vehicle using a proper car cleaning product designed to handle such substances. If left unattended, as mentioned above, this can cause permanent damage to the paintwork of your vehicle.
Like our article? Get in touch to collaborate
If you enjoyed this read and wanted to reach out to our publisher team to discuss possible future collaborations, then please get in touch here.
2. Bird and Bat Droppings (acidic)
Similar to tree sap, bird droppings can cause damage to paintwork due to their acidic nature as well, which can gradually eat into the protective clear coat and paint layers of a car. If left unaddressed, bird droppings can lead to discolouration, etching, and permanent paint damage. Moreover, when bird droppings are baked onto the car’s surface by the sun, they become even more difficult to remove, increasing the risk of paint surface scratches during cleaning attempts. It’s crucial to promptly and gently clean off bird droppings to minimise potential damage to your car’s paintwork. If you can park indoors, ideally that is the best option. If you notice splattered bird droppings around a parking spot, do reconsider as there is a high chance there is a cable or tree right above, housing many birds.
1. Dust and Dirt Particles
Dust and dirt make their way onto your car through natural environmental factors, wind, and human activities. Airborne dust particles settle on the car’s surface, while dirt can be kicked up from the road during driving or by passing cars. This is the most common culprit for contamination and notorious for causing micro-scratches or marring on your car.
When dust and dirt accumulate on the car’s exterior, they can act as abrasives, scratching the paint surface during movements such as washing or when coming into contact with the car. Over time, this can lead to fine scratches and dullness in the paintwork. This is why it is important that you thoroughly rinse and wash the car using safe car washing techniques to avoid cross-contamination. Failing to do so, is like washing your car with sandpaper.
Regular washing and maintenance are essential to remove dust and dirt from the car’s surface and protect the paint from potential harm – something as simple as using a pressure washer instead of a garden hose to rinse your car can make a significant difference.
Hi, I’m David
author, Automotive tech expert
I am a proficient writer with a preference in creating engaging and informative car content, particularly focused on the Australian automotive industry. With a relentless hunger to deliver car owners and drivers across the world with the latest emerging trends and innovations in the car space, you have tuned into the right place.