Category: Auto Body Paint Repair

Unfortunately, paint damage to your car is unavoidable. Yes, you can try to prevent it, but damage can occur to any vehicle. Those dents and scratches are unsightly, and they can lower the vehicle’s resale value. If you don’t get the damage repaired, you have a higher risk of developing rust on the exterior. There are several ways that the paint can become damaged, but you can avoid these problems with a bit of precaution.

 

Common Causes of Paint Damage on Cars

While you do your best to keep the paint looking great, many factors can damage it. Here are some of those common causes of paint damage.

Temperature Fluctuations

Most cars spend time outside. The paint can contract and expand with temperature changes. As a result, the paint develops small cracks where salt, moisture, and other chemicals can enter, causing rust. No matter the season, your paint is at risk for paint damage.

Polishes and Creams

People write messages in shoe polish or shaving cream on a vehicle’s window. While the sentiment is nice, that can severely damage the paint on the car. When those elements get on the paint, they can be difficult to remove, leaving permanent stains and marks. Shaving cream and shoe polish remove the vehicle’s wax, making your paint more vulnerable to damage.

Construction Materials

You never want to leave your vehicle in a construction area. These spots have a high concentration of dust. Plus, there is always the possibility of concrete, wood, or other materials hitting your car. After an accident, you could have dents, scratches, and damaged paint. You will need to have the section repaired by a professional in those cases.

Bugs, Bird Droppings, and Eggs

Bird eggs, splattered bugs, and animal droppings have the potential to damage your vehicle’s paint. These elements have natural chemicals that erode paint, exposing the underlying layers. Clean it up as soon as possible when you see a mess on your car. While you cannot prevent bug splatter, you never want to leave it on the vehicle. After a while, it can be challenging to remove those splats from the paint without causing damage.

Gasoline, Brake Fluid, and Diesel

Some liquids are needed to operate the car, but they can damage the paint’s surface. Diesel, gasoline, and brake fluid can cause the vehicle’s paint to peel. You want to be cautious when fueling up your car. If anything drips on the surface, wipe it away. You also want to be careful when refilling other fluids, such as brake fluid. Once again, if that fluid gets on the surface, it will slowly eat at the paint.

Vandalism

Scissors, knives, razor blades, and keys can all cause damage to the paint. Unfortunately, some people want to cause damage to your vehicle. You need to repair any scratches or dents before problems develop with the paint.

Rocks and Stones

Driving on the highway can be hazardous to your paint. Vehicles can kick up rocks, stones, and other small objects from the road. A small chip might seem insignificant, but it can lead to paint disintegration.

Abrasive Cleaners and Dirty Cleaning Cloths

Yes, you want to clean your vehicle. However, you should avoid dish soap and dirty clothes. Stick to those high-quality vehicle cleaning products. You also never want to use abrasive materials on the car, like dirty rags. These materials can destroy the paint, leaving your vehicle vulnerable to rust. A dry cloth can cause friction, causing scratches and other damage to the paint.

 

Steps To Maintain Your Car’s Paint Job

Now that you know what causes damage, here are ways to prevent it.

Watch Where You Park
Keeping your car outside will only lead to paint damage. While you might get lucky, accidents are waiting to happen outdoors. If you have a garage, park the vehicle inside. Use a cover that can protect against UV rays and snow if you don’t have a covered spot. Shady areas will help to protect your paint from the sun. Consider having your vehicle waxed, washed, and detailed by a professional auto body shop. Wax can be the first line of defense to protect the paint’s integrity.

Wash Your Vehicle
A dirty vehicle is more prone to paint damage than a well-maintained one. For example, bug splatters and bird droppings can be hard to remove after setting into the paint. These elements can be acidic and eat away at the vehicle’s wax, clear coat, and base color. While you might want to scrape away the debris, always use a soft, clean microfiber cloth to remove the mess.

Washing your vehicle also gives you time to inspect the paint. Make sure you are using high-quality products and the correct type of cleaning cloth. Bring it to a certified auto paint specialist if you see any damage.

Keep the Vehicle in Well-Lit Areas
Vandalism is a big problem. You can deter these criminal acts by parking in a well-lit space. Choose a spot that can be clearly visible to others. If you cannot find the ideal location, do not keep your car left unattended for too long.

Stay Away from Trucks and Other Vehicles
Keep your distance from dump trucks and other construction vehicles when driving down the road. In some cases, they are hauling rocks, stones, and debris that can fly off and scratch the surface of your paint.

In addition to that, stay away from other cars in the parking lot. Drivers who are not careful can hit your vehicle. That can leave behind scratches and dents. Even a high wind can blow a cart into your vehicle’s paint. If you want to be safe, park the car away from others.

 

Get Paint Damage Repaired By a Trusted Auto Body Shop

These tips can help you maintain the appearance and integrity of your vehicle’s paint. If you need a repair, reach out to Elmer’s Auto Body. Our certified and trained paint specialists have the expertise to repair and color match your paint. We will work hard to get it back to the pre-accident condition. Need an auto body shop near you? Schedule a consultation by calling 856-218-0202.

If you are thinking about having your vehicle repainted, there are several big decisions that must be made. You’ve probably got a color in mind, but a lot of people don’t stop to consider the type of finish that they want. Different types of paint create different visual effects, which are commonly called “finishes.” Let’s go over the different types of auto paint finishes and help you to choose the best one for you.

 

Solid Paint Finish

Your vehicle probably has this type of finish, as it is the standard for most new cars. Solid paint is just that: A solid color from a palette of the most common colors. After a single thick coat is applied, the paint is then covered with a clear varnish that provides extra protection against chipping, scratching, and the weather. In some cases, the paint is mixed with the varnish for more uniform performance.

The main plus for this kind of paint is its low cost. If you are on a tight budget, a solid paint finish is probably the right choice. However, these colors can be a little boring. If you want your vehicle to stand out from the crowd, solid paint is not the way to go.

 

Matte Finish

A matte finish can best be described as “flat.” These types of paint will dry with a slightly roughened surface. As a result, they reflect almost no light. Many people like this type of finish, although it is more common for high-end vehicles. A matte look definitely presents a high-class and distinguished appearance.

On the other hand, matte finishes are expensive, and they are a little harder to maintain. Without that light reflection, small flaws in the finish will be more visible, and it will be harder to repair those flaws without creating a smooth and reflective patch. It might actually be more cost-efficient to get a matte vehicle wrap, as this is cheaper and easier to replace.

 

Metallic Paint Finish

Metallic paint might be said to be the opposite of matte paint. It provides the maximum level of shine. By adding powdered metals (usually aluminum) to the paint, a sparkling effect is achieved. These finishes are meant to catch both the light and the eye.

This type of finish also tends to be more durable, allowing it to last longer. This is, of course, due to the presence of the powdered metal, making the paint much harder than it would normally be. Even when small flaws do develop, the shiny nature of this paint will make those flaws less noticeable. However, if the finish should become damaged, it can be very hard to match the old color. When you re-apply metallic paint, you have to do the entire vehicle to obtain the best results.

 

Pearlescent Paint Finish

Pearlescent paints are a little bit like metallic paints, as they are intended to provide a unique kind of shine that stands out from afar. Rather than using a powdered metal to achieve this effect, pearlescent paints use small crystals of a mineral called mica. Like a pearl, this mineral reflects and refracts the light, and this is what gives a pearl its unique and beautiful appearance. Obviously, real pearls would be far too expensive to grind up and use for paint, but mica provides a near-identical effect.

Pearlescent paints are among the more expensive options, and that is why they have become something of a prestige symbol. If you really want something that will draw a lot of attention, this is a great option. This isn’t something you would put on an old work truck…it’s meant for high-end vehicles, show cars, and things like that. Unfortunately, like metallic finishes, pearl finishes can be very hard to match and repair.

 

Choosing The Paint Finish That Is Right For You

When choosing a new auto paint finish, you need to think about the vehicle itself and how it will be used. Solid paint is the most common choice for many good reasons. It is cheap, easy to repair, and suited for any type of vehicle. If you expect your vehicle to be used roughly, solid paint is going to be the best choice by far. Every other type of finish is much more difficult to repair, mostly because those specialized finishes are more difficult to match.

Matte paint jobs are often used for certain parts of a vehicle rather than the entire vehicle. As we said, it can be pretty difficult to repair a matte paint job, so it’s easier to have small patches that can be repainted when needed. For instance, you might want to have a matte hood and spoiler while using a different kind of finish for the rest of the vehicle.

Metallic and pearl finishes are both made to do the same thing: Provide a lot of shine and sparkle. Obviously, these are the best options for a show car or something that is primarily intended for display. As for which one is better, that is a matter of personal preference. Both of them are a little more expensive and both of them are difficult to repair.

You should also consider your budget. Matte finishes are usually the most expensive options, so bear that in mind. Pearlescent finishes tend to be slightly more expensive than metallic options. Once again, solid paint is the only realistic option for those who are on a tight budget.

 

Conclusion

No matter what type of finish you want, you can count on the folks at Elmer’s Auto Body to get the job done. If you find yourself asking: “Where can I find a good auto body shop near me?”, the answer is right in front of your nose. Elmer’s Auto Body has been proudly serving South Jersey for over 70 years, and we provide the convenient and timely service that only true professionals can provide. If you would like more information about our services, feel free to call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.