Your
vehicle's exterior is prone to damage and wear from multiple external
sources. UV light, road conditions, precipitation, and even insects
can negatively affect the appearance and performance of your car.
Fortunately,
you can remedy many kinds of body damage to help your car operate
properly and make it look amazing. Here's how to treat some common
auto body ailments.
Foggy
Headlights
An
important safety feature on your car is susceptible to degradation by
UV light rays. Plastic covers that protect your headlight bulbs turn
a foggy yellow color through the process of oxidation. Luckily, older
vehicles with glass headlight covers don't suffer from this malady,
which decreases the amount of light that is able to filter through
the discolored plastic.
Often
foggy headlights produce just 22
percent
of
light that new headlights do, which creates a dangerous way to drive
at night.
You
may find that replacing your headlight covers completely is better
than restoration methods that merely polish or sand away
discoloration. While restoration helps you to see better, a new set
of headlight covers produces the brightest light output.
Foreign
Substances
Cars
encounter all kinds of debris and foreign substances like bugs, road
tar, dirt, and even ash from fire. Even when parked, your car is a
target for bird droppings and tree sap. These and others substances
contain chemicals that damage your paint if they remain in place, so
it's important to keep your car clean. Keep in mind that even
innocent items like shaving cream and silly string from a party can
hurt the paint.
With
a few exceptions, soap and water easily removes most dirt and
materials from a car. But what if something is extra sticky or tricky
to remove? Here's how to safely remove certain substances and not
harm your paint job.
Sticky
Tree Sap
Water
and vigorous scrubbing only grinds sap into your car
and scratches
the
paint. Instead, gently wipe the spot with rubbing alcohol or an
acetone-based product like nail polish remover.
Road
Oil and Tar
Water
has no effect on petroleum-based tar and road oil. Use mineral
spirits to dissolve away off those tar bits safely. Or try a product
specifically designed to remove oil and tar from surfaces.
Dents,
Nicks, and Scratches
A
beautiful paint job makes your car look fabulous, but that shiny
layer serves another more important purpose. The majority of your car
is made of around 60
percent
advanced
high-strength steel, or AHHS. Lighter and stronger than other steels,
AHHS is still susceptible to rust and corrosion. Automobile paint
covers and protects all that metal from damage.
Sadly,
over time tiny scratches and minor dents can mar your paint. Flying
gravel on the highway, stray shopping carts, and your nephew's
bicycle can chip your car's protective primer and paint to expose
bare metal. Iron oxide begins to form even in dry climates far from
the ocean. Moisture from rain and road salt from winter snowplows
speeds up the rust process.
You
can help prevent rust damage when you wash your car regularly to
remove harmful salt and then apply protective car wax. Examine your
car for scratches and nicks that indicate weakened paint. Bubbling
paint may mean rust is already present below the surface.
Car
body ailments like small dents and scratches don't have to mean your
car will never look the same. Take your car to the right body shop
that specializes in refinishing techniques that restore the original
beauty of your paint. Visit Olson's Auto Body for a peek at how
amazing your car body can look once again. We can help with
additional damage to lights and mirrors as well.
