Today's article will guide you through the most common car paint stains and how to remove them. Nobody likes to see a stain tarnish their otherwise beautiful paint. Getting rid of stains on your paint can be an endless struggle if you're not equipped with some basic knowledge. It doesn't have to be all that complicated!
In most cases, the sooner you deal with stains on your clear coat - the higher your chances are to remove them & restore your paint to factory condition. However, every stain needs special treatment, depending on the type.
The Five Most Common Car Stains
Bird Droppings & Bugs
Bird droppings & bug splatters damage your car's paint because of their acidic chemical makeup. Leaving a bird dropping or bug splatter on your clear coat will cause damage, accelerated with direct sunshine and high humidity. These are the most important stains to get rid of immediately upon noticing them.
Water Stains
Another common car stain that will occur in Canada are water stains. If left unchecked, your vehicle will look terrible. Water often contains minerals which deposit onto your clear coat, leaving ugly water spots.
The good news is, these are the easiest stains to remove with a detailing solution and microfibre cloth.
There are three types of water spots:
Hard water spots
Mineral deposit spots
Etched spots
Swirl Marks on Your Paint
Swirl marks are a nearly unavoidable part of car ownership, ranging from barely noticeable to unbearably present.
Often times, the use of regular towels and improper car cleaning products will leave your car with swirl marks. Automatic car washes are a surefire way to swirl up your paint, same with poor towel work techniques.
In most cases, leaving the work of detailing your car exterior is best left to the Pros if you don't have the right equipment and training. If that's the case, don't hesitate to call us!
Tree Sap Stains
If you park your car under a tree, you can expect to find tree sap stains all over your paint. Tree sap is easily identifiable by its amber appearance and its stickiness.
The acidic tree sap will contribute to burning through your car's clear coat, similar to bird droppings and bug splatters. These stains are not easy to remove if left for too long.
Paint Oxidization
The most common form of paint aging is oxidization, which can eventually lead to rust and corrosion if left unattended, reducing the longevity of your vehicle.
Oxidization often settles in when bare metal is exposed to Mother Nature's elements, such is the case when deep scratches are present on your car exterior, which is why it's not a good idea to ignore them.
Metal gradually corrodes when the oxidization process settles in, eventually resulting in rusted metal. Unfortunately, once oxidization really bites, there's no way to fight back other than replacing entire panels - an expensive and uneconomic process.
How to Remove the Most Common Paint Stains
Clay Bars & Lubricant
Automotive clay bars are a great tool to have in your garage. Clay bars are created to remove the particulate debris and contaminants that washing and polishing can't.
This method will remove embedded grains of metal, tree sap, water deposits, and paint overspray. Using a high quality automotive spray is necessary to ensure you don't scratch your paint with the clay bar by maintaining proper lubrication.
Clay barring is often followed up with polishing & waxing to create a protective layer, ensuring stains do not immediately bond with your clear coat.
White Vinegar Spray
Many homeowners and auto owners attest to the stain-killing properties of white vinegar. Better yet, a diluted white vinegar spray will not cause damage to your car's paint.
Consistent Car Washes
Maintaining a bi-weekly car wash schedule is highly recommended. This allows your car to be free of harmful contaminants which can bond with your paint.
Often times, a two bucket car wash is enough to remove most of the stains on your paint. Even better, you can have peace of mind in knowing that your car will hold its value and stay resistant to oxidization.
A Word of Advice
Your car's paint is just another maintenance item on the long list of car care procedures. Your paint requires proper treatment and upkeep, similar to the mechanical components of your vehicle.
Keeping harmful contaminants off of your paint is a great start. Bi-weekly washes, spot treatment on tough stains, and regular waxing are some of the tasks you'll be performing to keep up with your car's maintenance schedule.
However, there are ways to make your life easier! Ceramic coatings are a protective layer that Mångata customers absolutely adore. These coatings act as a life-long layer which bonds with your clear coat and makes stains incredibly easy to wash off. Not only that, but you will enjoy the benefits of extreme, mirror-like shine.