We share 5 things that commonly damage car paint, including expert tips from our car groomers on how to repair car paint and restore your car’s lustre.

5 Things That Can Cause Damage to Car Paintwork

Many of us strive to keep our cars in pristine condition, but driving in all conditions exposes our vehicles to contaminants that can damage paintwork over time. While it is impossible to completely prevent car paintwork from getting damaged, knowing some of the most common causes can help you take preventative steps to protect your car’s paintwork and keep it in the best condition.

Below, our car detailing experts share the five things that most commonly cause damage to car paintwork, as well as their top tips on how to prevent damage and advice on ways to keep your car’s paintwork looking its best for longer.

1. Car Paint Cracking

As a vehicle ages, the paintwork naturally starts to deteriorate as chemicals in paint break down, and this can cause automotive paint cracking. Exposure to extreme weather, especially the sun, can speed up this process. UV rays strip paint’s protective coating, allowing the elements to penetrate the more delicate paintwork underneath and speed up the cracking process.

The improper application of primer or paint can also cause car paintwork to crack. This is most often seen on older vehicles that have had their paintwork touched up over time.

Not only does car paint cracking look unsightly, but it can also enable moisture to penetrate your car’s paintwork, which can cause oxidisation and, eventually, rust. So, if you do notice cracking, you should seek professional help to restore your car’s paintwork.

The best way to prevent automotive paint cracking is to protect your car’s paintwork. At Espresso Car Wash, our paint protection service offers superior protection by applying an all-over duco protective wax polish and paint protection treatment to the exterior duco protective wax polish.

2. Car Paint Bubbling

Car paint bubbling is usually caused when moisture becomes trapped under the paintwork. Not only can this impact the overall look of your vehicle, but it can allow rust to develop.

There are several ways moisture can penetrate car paintwork, including :

• • Small paintwork cracks or chips
  • Through tiny spots of corrosion in paintwork
  • Improper surface preparation when the vehicle is painted or sprayed

Wondering how to repair auto paint that has bubbled? The only real solution to rid your paintwork of bubbles is to sand back the affected area and repaint it. This is best performed by a professional who will ensure the area is correctly prepared for painting to prevent future bubbling.

3. Sun Exposure

Just like too much sun exposure can be bad for your skin, it can also be bad for your car’s paintwork. The sun’s UV rays penetrate your car’s paintwork, which can break down chemicals in the paintwork and cause the colour to fade. Fading is often more noticeable on more vibrant coloured cars, with red cars, in particular, prone to losing their vibrancy and turning a pink shade.

To prevent damage from sun exposure, you should try to park in the shade where possible or use a car cover to protect your car’s paintwork. Having paintwork protection regularly applied to your vehicle can also help ensure the vibrancy of your vehicle’s paintwork by providing an additional layer of protection against harmful UV rays.

4. Contaminants

Driving on roads exposes vehicles to a whole raft of contaminants that can cause damage to paintwork. Arguably two of the most damaging are bird poo and tree sap, as both are acidic, so if left on your vehicle will start to break down the chemicals in paintwork and cause staining or dulling.

To prevent contaminants from causing undue damage to your car’s paintwork, you must clean sap or bird feces off your vehicle as soon as possible. It is best to use a specific car wash soap that is pH neutral to wash your car and avoid excessive rubbing, which could scratch your paintwork.

5. Road Grime

Asphalt and gravel on the road can cause damage to your vehicle. Although we’re not suggesting you stop driving your car for this reason, you can take some preventative steps to reduce the risk to your paintwork.

When driving on gravel, the main concern is small stones hitting your car’s paintwork and causing scratches. If left untreated, these can cause rust spots to develop and create further damage. To prevent this from happening, you should slow down when driving on areas of loose gravel to reduce the chances of stones bouncing up and hitting your car. You can also invest in a professional clay bar treatment, which can help to treat small scratches and revitalise the look of your vehicle.

Asphalt, on the other hand, can adhere to your car’s paintwork and cause unsightly staining. Having your car professionally groomed is one of the best ways to remove any asphalt stains without causing any additional damage.

Protect Your Vehicle’s Paintwork

Prevention is the key to stopping damage to your car’s paintwork and can be achieved by following these simple steps :

• Only use professional hand-car wash services – the services of professional hand-car wash specialists like Espresso Car Wash are much gentler on your car’s paintwork than automatic car washes, so prevent unintentional damage to your paintwork.
• Regularly apply wax to your vehicle – car wax can provide an additional protective layer to your car’s paintwork and help protect it from harsh weather that can cause fading and oxidisation.
• Park in the shade – wherever possible, you should try to park your vehicle in the shade or a garage. If you don’t have access to a shady area, consider using a car cover instead to help protect your car from the elements.
• Avoid parking under trees – as mentioned, tree sap and bird poo are some of the toughest stains to remove from your vehicle and can cause lasting damage to your paintwork. By avoiding parking under trees, you can help reduce the likelihood of this type of car paint damage.

Get Professional Car Detailing Services

As New Zealand’s leading professional hand wash & car grooming provider at Espresso Car Wash, we are fully equipped to take care of your car’s paintwork and keep it in pristine condition. Alongside bespoke car washing tailored to the unique needs of your vehicle, we offer specialist paint protection services to provide enhanced protection for your vehicle’s paintwork.

Book online or visit your nearest Espresso Car Wash branch today to revitalise the paintwork of your treasured vehicle.

How Espresso Car Wash Can Help

As New Zealand’s leading professional hand wash & car grooming provider, we can take care of your beloved car for you. Our services range from 100% hand car washes to interior & exterior car grooming. Our unrivalled knowledge of hand washing and vehicle grooming techniques will leave your car in like-new condition.

Book online or visit your nearest Espresso Car Wash branch today to revitalise your treasured vehicle.