The dos and don'ts for preserving the paint on your carIt is not only vintage car enthusiasts who spend hours buffing and polishing their "babies" on a weekend. Most people love their cars, whether it is because they are a symbol of success or whether they want to keep them in tip-top shape to pass onto their children. Photo by The Cheap Shot© from Pexels Whatever the reason you are spending a lot of time keeping your car shiny and new, Richard Green, national director of the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) says it is important not to damage the paintwork. Green explains that automotive paint not only plays an integral role from an aesthetic point of view, but also aids in rust prevention. It is fairly easy to damage the paintwork, hence the importance on being aware of what materials you use to clean your car. “There are several ways common household items and materials can destroy car paint from the surface down to the bare metal, resulting in serious damage,” he warns. Here are 5 dos and don'ts for preserving the paint on your car:
“In the name of fun, people slather things like silly string, mustard, shoe polish, eggs and shaving cream all over cars. It may be a good laugh for those carrying out the fun, but not such a hoot for the owner of the car when they realise all these items damage paintwork,” he said. “Shaving cream and shoe polish contain chemicals which can leave permanent marks and eggs are acidic enough to eat through paintwork in a short time, especially if left to dry overnight. I recommend spot cleaning with a dedicated carwash product diluted in water or a full carwash if the car is badly covered in any of these substances.” Another item commonly used for cleaning cars is dishwashing liquid, but Green adds this is not a good idea. “If your car is regularly waxed, dishwashing liquid will remove the thin protective wax layer. It is very harsh on paintwork and not very kind to rubber either, so rather stay clear.” He concludes that not all car cleaning products are all-purpose and the wrong product could damage the paint, clear coat or other finishes. “If you are in doubt about any substance or material which has caused damage, always seek the advice of an accredited professional from the South African Motor Body Repairers Association to help you restore your vehicle's paint job to its former glory,” Green concludes. |