A car expert has revealed top tips to protect your car’s paintwork – potentially saving you thousands in repair work.
Keeping your motor in tip top condition not only reduces the chance of having to pay out for avoidable repair work, but is also a great way to maximise the value of your pride and joy.
It’s important to use the right cleaning products to take care of your car’s paintworkgetty
Markings such as scratches, bird droppings and tree sap, can be irritating to remove from your car, but they can also cause damage to your paintwork, which can result in expensive bills to have them fixed?
Depending on the quantity, size and severity of the damage, the average cost to repair a chip in your car paintwork can range from £60 to £210.
Tree sap or bird droppings can be difficult to remove, especially if not dealt with immediately after the mark appears.
If left too long, a mark can cut through a car’s paintwork and leave the owner needing to respray it or have it professionally treated.
As the UK weather begins to warm up, it’s increasingly important to remove these marks quickly, as the heat from the sun can make stains difficult to remove.
Handily, experts at Your Red Car have listed the five most common types of marks that can cost you, and how to remove them quickly.
Bird droppings
Bird droppings are extremely acidic and corrosive, which means that they can burn paint and coating on a vehicle’s exterior paintwork when left for too long.
Droppings can be removed by using a damp cloth, and if it isn’t budging, you can try using a car shampoo which will usually include ingredients designed to protect car paintwork.
To complete the process, car shampoo and a cloth will be needed to remove the remaining residue.
Spider droppings
Yes, believe it or not, spider droppings can also damage your car’s paintwork.
They are less acidic than bird droppings, however, can still cause stains and be annoying to remove.
The two look very similar, however, spider droppings are darker, and resemble paint splatter.
To remove spider droppings, the same method for bird droppings can be used.
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Blossom
Blossom is lovely to look at, however, if it ends up on a car exterior, it needs to be removed as soon as possible to avoid damage to the paintwork.
Blossom can be harmful to a car’s exterior because it contains natural acids that can imprint into the paint and cause permanent damage to the clear coat.
To remove blossoms from a car’s exterior, first, rinse the car with water to remove any loose debris, and then wash with a car shampoo.
Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to spread the solution over the affected area and rinse afterwards.
If the blossom is still present, use a specialised cleaner designed for removing tree sap or tar.
Tree sap
Tree sap can be harmful to a car’s exterior because it is a sticky substance that can cause discolouration.
This is why it is important to act as quickly as possible if tree sap is found on a car’s exterior.
Warm water and a cloth will remove excess tree sap.
You can also purchase a special cleaner designed for removing tree sap or tar will be able to do the job.
Invest in some soft microfibre cloths to help get the best finishgetty
Bugs
As summertime begins to kick in and the weather warms up you’ll notice an increase in bugs and insects – which can cause issues for car owners.
Bugs can be harmful to a car’s exterior because they contain natural acids and enzymes that can imprint into the paint.
To remove bugs, a car shampoo will normally do the trick however if the bugs are stuck and stubborn, a specialised cleaner can be used to remove them.
Denton Brock, Head of Your Red Car said:
“Regularly cleaning a vehicle is vital for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, it helps to maintain the appearance of a vehicle and prevent the build-up of dirt, grime, and other debris that can damage the paintwork over time.
“Regular cleans will also help to prevent the build-up of harmful substances like tree sap, bug residue, and road salt, which can cause permanent damage if left unchecked.
“In a worst-case scenario, you could end up with a hefty bill for a professional service treatment, so it’s vital to wipe these clean as soon as you spot them.