thursday,march 21, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online
thursday,march 21, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online
thursday,march 21, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online
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The <strong>County</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />
Thursday, March <strong>21</strong>, <strong>2013</strong> 2<br />
Don’t Scratch<br />
the Paint<br />
SALE ENDS MARCH 31 st<br />
Washing off harmful substances promptly can reduce the chances of damage to a car's paint job.<br />
Most people purchase a car for its<br />
looks and performance. However, unless<br />
the auto is kept in a garage and never<br />
driven, it is impossible to keep it in pristine<br />
condition. In many cases, damage to<br />
the clear coat or enamel paint on the car<br />
is something vehicle owners expect.<br />
A car owner who decides he or she<br />
wants the car to remain in the best shape<br />
possible will have to take an active role<br />
in maintenance and damage prevention.<br />
One of the key things to remember is to<br />
never allow any substance to remain on<br />
the paint for too long; otherwise the risk<br />
for damage increases. Also, it may be<br />
very difficult to clean if the offender is<br />
allowed to sit on the paint. Here are some<br />
other factors to consider.<br />
• UV light: Just as UV light can<br />
affect skin, hair and other parts of the<br />
body, it also can affect the paint on a car.<br />
UV rays oxidize the paint and cause a<br />
white, powdery film to form on the car.<br />
Washing the car frequently enough and<br />
applying the best quality wax will help<br />
keep UV rays from penetrating through<br />
the paint.<br />
• Over sprays: Life does not stop to<br />
allow cars to drive through, particularly<br />
when it comes to construction zones. It's<br />
possible for a car to be doused in paint<br />
spray, tar, concrete, and other chemicals<br />
that are routinely used in construction.<br />
Do not allow these substances to harden<br />
on the car. Rinse promptly with automotive<br />
soap. Try to avoid construction<br />
zones whenever possible.<br />
• Rain: Both acid rain and regular<br />
rainwater (and other sources of water)<br />
can dissolve paint over time. The U.S.<br />
Geological Survey has said that water is<br />
a universal solvent because it can dissolve<br />
more substances than any other liquid.<br />
Whenever the car becomes wet, it should<br />
be dried with a towel or chamois and not<br />
allowed to air dry.<br />
• Natural substances: Tree sap, bird<br />
droppings and splattered insects contain<br />
compounds that can erode the paint on a<br />
car. Avoid parking under large trees where<br />
sap and bird droppings may be prevalent.<br />
In terms of bug splatter, try to wash it off<br />
as soon as possible to alleviate damage.<br />
• Eggs: Oftentimes, rambunctious<br />
children think it is funny to egg a car.<br />
However, the enzymes and sulfur content<br />
in eggs can cause paint and clear coat to<br />
dissolve, leaving white spots in the wake<br />
of the egg. Because egg can be sticky and<br />
very hard to remove once dried, it is helpful<br />
to wash it off as soon as possible. It<br />
takes only a few hours for the damage to<br />
be permanent.<br />
• Bleach: Although a bleach-and-water<br />
solution is often heralded for its ability<br />
to clean many things, it should not be<br />
used on a car. Bleach is an oxidizer and it<br />
will pit metal and discolor paint. Be careful<br />
with pool chemicals as well, as chlorinator<br />
is usually regular household bleach.<br />
There are many things that can damage<br />
a car paint job. Although it's impossible<br />
to shield the car from everything,<br />
there are precautions that can be taken.<br />
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