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Your motor vehicle is likely one of your most important and expensive assets, so it's crucial to treat it well and care for it properly. Unfortunately, cars and trucks face various threats that can damage their paint. Here are some of the most common hazards to your auto body paint.

4 Hazards That Damage Auto Body Paint

1. Ultraviolet Light

UV rays have a shorter wavelength than visible light; even though you cannot see them, they cause a surprising amount of damage to your car's paint job. UV light raises paint temperature and causes chemical bonds to break, so the paint fades and becomes duller and less reflective.

2. Bird Droppings

Auto body paintBird droppings have an acidic component that can eat into auto body paint over time. If you rinse it off quickly, it won't cause permanent damage. However, if you wait several days to remove it, you'll see a stain. Take care during removal; its texture can be gritty and rubbing it off may scratch the paint.

3. Tree Sap

Like bird droppings, tree sap is a natural threat to auto body paint. Another similarity is that both are difficult to remove from your car; the longer you wait, the more damage occurs. Use a soft cloth dampened with rubbing compound to remove the sap and polish the clear coat.

4. Road Salt

Road salt makes it much safer to drive during winter, but it can wreak havoc on your paint job. It speeds up the corrosion process and makes the car more susceptible to rust. Wash off salt weekly during winter months, and include an under-body rinse to protect the bare metal of your suspension and frame.

 

To have your auto body paint touched up professionally, contact OHS' Body Shop in Kalispell, MT. They are family-owned and -operated and have been serving customers throughout Flathead County since 1970.  In addition to auto painting, they also specialize in paintless dent removal, auto glass repair, and complex collision work. Visit their website to view location details or call (406) 752-8202 to schedule an auto body repair appointment.

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