When talking about maintaining the appeal of your car, there could be lots of discussions about protecting car paint. Because it’s subjected to different elements, ranging from mild to harsh and it’s inevitable for it to get dirty. Without a car paint protector, it can even be significantly harmed.

Here are nine things that can leave your car’s paint damaged.

Sunlight. Your car needs a car polish compound to keep its paint protected — not vitamin D from the sun. In fact, if your vehicle is exposed to too much sunlight, the paint can oxidise and become visibly dull over time. Make sure to park your car under shade or in a garage.

Ice. Like sunlight, snow can also be harmful to car paint. Once you try to get rid of the snow that hardened on your car’s surface, you can strip the paint off as well. Other natural elements that are dangerous for car paint include acid rain and saltwater, which can cause corrosion.

Dust. There’s dust everywhere. It can carry along other minuscule objects like pollen. If this builds up and you wipe it dry, it can leave scrapes on your car’s surface. When washing a dirty car, you have to use water first to get rid of the dust and other scratch-inducing debris.

Brake fluid. If your vehicle doesn’t have a car paint protector, brake fluid spillage can cause the paint to peel off. If your car paint comes into contact with brake fluid, immediately get a towel to soak up the liquid. Use soap and a clean rag to clean the spot ASAP.

Gasoline. Most cars need gas to keep them running. However, it can get tricky once it leaks onto your car paint. This is because the damage won’t be noticeable immediately. When not cleaned with mild soap and water, it will leave behind stains that will be challenging to remove.

Brid droppings. If you have a car, chances are it already had bird dropping at one point in time. Not only are they inconvenient and unsightly, but they can also permanently damage your paint because of their acidity. Insects like bugs are also harmful because their fluid is also acidic.

Soda and coffee. Many people love to bring beverages inside their cars. If it gets spilled in the interior, it’s a hassle to have it cleaned. However, you should also be careful not to let it spill over your car exterior. Their acidity can eat away the outermost layer of your car paint. Its sugar content can also leave a sticky residue, which can be difficult to get rid of.

Old and dirty towels. Never clean your vehicle with an old or dirty towel or rag. Though your intent is good, doing so can do more harm. The dirty residues that are present can scratch your car paint — especially if it doesn’t have any extra layer of protection like a car polish compound.

Vandalism. From scratches to graffiti, different forms of vandalism can damage your car’s exterior. And most of the time, the only way to remove them is to have a repainting job. To minimise costs, get in touch and file a claim with your insurance provider.