Whether your car is decades old or brand new, you want your car to remain looking as nice as possible for as long as possible, and keeping the paint job looking fresh goes a long way. But there are certain materials that can damage car paint. While many are repairable, some are not, so it’s important to be aware of them and take care of any messes promptly.

Below, read about 10 top items that can damage a car’s paint and learn what you can do to protect your own vehicle.

1 – Brake fluid.

As a car owner, you likely know how important it is to keep brake fluid at the proper levels – but even a little bit of non-silicone-based brake fluid can act like paint thinner and damage a paint job. If you spill brake fluid, wipe it up immediately by dabbing. Don’t spread it around. Then, wash the spot with soap and water.

2 – Animal and plant materials.

Bugs, bird droppings and tree sap can all be acidic and damage paint if they sit on a vehicle for too long, especially in the sun. Regular car washes by hand or at a commercial wash can help avoid lasting damage. If tree sap has hardened, it may need to be carefully scraped off – but be mindful not to scratch your car. And, be mindful that some types of commercial washes are better for your vehicle’s finish than others.

3 – Gasoline.

Gasoline can stain your car’s finish and be very difficult to remove if left for too long, so it’s important to be cautious when inserting and removing gas nozzles from the gas tank to avoid drippage. If you take care of spills and drips right away, it shouldn’t be an issue. Keeping your car waxed can also help protect the car’s surface from gas stains.

4 – Vandalism.

Whether a silly prank by a friend or a true act of vandalism, there’s no doubt it can damage your car. Items like silly string or shaving cream might seem benign, but if left in the sun, they can damage car paint. Other household items like certain cleaning fluids or acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, etc) can also leave damage. Be sure to clean up messes like these quickly with soap and water. If other vandalism occurs on your car – such as graffiti or scratches – contact your insurance agency, as the repair may be covered. In most cases, a local auto body shop will be able to color match your car’s paint and restore it to like-new condition.

5 – Shoe polish.

Believe it or not, shoe polish can be one of the most difficult stains to remove from a vehicle. Sometimes, it’s impossible. You might be wondering why someone would put shoe polish on a vehicle, but mistakes happen. If someone tries to test shoe polish on a worn part of their leather interior and rests the polish-soaked rag on the roof or hood of the vehicle even temporarily, it can cause damage. (It should also be noted that shoe polish is not recommended for cleaning or repairing leather car interior because it will not soak up the substance the way that shoe leather does.) If shoe polish gets on your car, go to your local body shop to purchase a specialized cleaner, or consult with a professional.

6 – Dust.

Dust or dirt on a car isn’t exactly attractive to begin with, but when dust mixes with rain, it can cause corrosion to the paint. Gentle car washes can help keep your car free of long-term dust and maintain the finish.

7 – Acid rain.

Acid rain is just that – acidic. Even after the rain evaporates, the acidic part remains on your car and can damage paint. Again, frequent car washes can help limit this exposure.

8 – Dirty towels & rags.

Washing your car can of course be great for the paint, but only if you’re using the right towels and rags. Be sure towels and rags are clean and ideally made of microfiber. Also, don’t set them down on pavement or gravel while working, as you could pick up dirt or debris that could damage your car’s paint.

9 – Coffee & soda.

Between the sugar and acidic nature of many coffee drinks and sodas, they can spell danger for your car paint. Simply wipe up these spills with a wet paper towel to avoid any lasting effects.

10 – Salt.

Salt helps keep vehicles safe on slippery winter road – but is one of the most corrosive things for car paint. If you live in a cold or coastal climate, it’s important to wash your car frequently to keep salt off your car long-term to reduce the risk of rust. Ideally, you should also treat your car with a wax sealant before the first snow as an extra precaution.

Find an Auto Body Shop Near You

If damage has already occurred to your car paint or you need a consultation with an expert, don’t worry. Carwise.com can help you find an auto body shop near you from more than 20,000 facilities nationwide. . Carwise’s shop search tool provides details on more than 20,000 auto body shops nationwide, including hours and location, certifications, real reviews from recent customers, and before and after photos. Get started today: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

When your car first rolled off the assembly line its paint job was immaculate, with a glossy finish comprised of several layers of primer and paint.  If you’ve been in an accident recently that required collision repairs, when you picked it up from the body shop your vehicle’s paint also looked like new.  But unfortunately there are a number of things that cars are exposed to on a daily basis that dull, fade and otherwise damage your once-pristine paint job.  Some are obvious, but others might surprise you and oftentimes strike unexpectedly.  With that in mind, here are 5 everyday things that can damage your car’s paint, along with advice from auto body shop pros on how best to protect your vehicle’s prized finish.

Splattered Bugs

Splattered flying bugs and car fronts just seem to go together, especially during the summer.  Those dead bugs might appear harmless, but they actually can do serious damage to your vehicle’s paint due to their bodies’ acidity.  Not removed immediately, bug body imprints can actually become etched permanently into the top layers.  Experts advise washing them off right away using a bug and tar remover, soft wash cloth and old-fashioned elbow grease.

Bird Droppings

Most of us like watching our feathered friends, but how many of us have had bird droppings bombard our cars?  In addition to being unsightly, bird droppings contain traces of acidic berries and seeds, along with grainy textures that can stain, dull and scratch your paint.  Professional auto detailers recommend promptly using a soft microfiber cloth wetted with spray wash to gently wipe away the droppings while employing a lifting motion to prevent grit-induced scratching.

Coffee and Soda

Have you ever placed a cup of coffee or soda on your car’s roof while in a hurry, and then watched in horror as it tipped over spilling the contents onto your paint’s surface?  Both beverages contain acid that can damage your car’s finish, and colorings that stain when dried.  Those in the know say wipe the spilled liquid off immediately and completely with a soft cloth and then wash the area with soapy water right after.

Sunlight

The sun’s UV rays cause our skin to age prematurely, and have the same effect on vehicle paint finishes.  Dulling and fading can occur if your car spends many hours a day exposed to direct sunlight.  Auto body paint professionals advise that you keep your car garaged, parked in a shady area, or that you use a car cover when possible to prevent sunlight-related damage.

Tree Sap

Have you ever parked your car under a tree only to later notice annoying tree sap splotches on its roof, hood or trunk?  Tree sap contains chemicals that can interact with your car’s painted surface making it not only difficult to clean off, but it also can damage the paint permanently.  Experts say that the best way to remove tree sap is to immediately wipe it off using a soft cloth wetted with an indicated polish or rubbing compound.  Then wash the area several times with soap and water until all traces of the sap are gone.

If Your Car’s Paint Gets Damaged Help is Nearby

Your car’s paint is also vulnerable to other everyday things like rocks, eggs, tar, air pollution, gasoline and human skin.  To safeguard your car’s finish from dulling or fading you should wash it frequently and also wax it at least annually with a high-quality, carnauba-based paste.  Auto body shop professionals know about paint-damaging factors and how to prevent them from ruining your vehicle’s finish.  Most collision repair shops also offer expert painting and detailing services that help your car’s finish look like new all year long.  When you need some reliable paint care tips or auto body painting done, contact a reputable collision repair shop nearby.  To search your zip code for a list of auto body shops near you, visit: www.carwise.com now.