The paint on your vehicle is one of the most important factors of its overall look and resale value. By maintaining the paint on your vehicle, you’re ensuring you can sell it at a higher value or keep it in pristine condition for years to come. To keep your car paint looking new, it’s important to prevent and treat paint oxidation when it occurs. Learn more about what paint oxidation is and how to prevent it with Eli’s Collision Repair below, then learn more about our paintless dent removal process.
What Causes Car Paint Oxidation?
You may have noticed that some vehicles in Santa Monica begin to lose their shine as they age. This is due to years of exposure to the elements as you drive, park, and run errands in Downtown LA. This process is known as car paint oxidation and occurs when your vehicle’s paint begins to dry out and lose its oil content. Over time the chemicals in your vehicle paint will break down, and the subsequent exposure to heat and oxygen will speed up the process.
As car paint oxidation progresses, the paint on your vehicle will begin to look flat and dull. The color will then become noticeably less vibrant as it fades. If left untreated, the surface paint will begin to feel rough and dusty, and eventually, the clear coat will start to flake off in certain areas. As the paint chips away and the metal of your vehicle’s body panels are exposed, your car is at a greater risk of developing rust spots. Learning how to remove oxidation from car paint is not only important for the overall look of your vehicle but also prevents rust from developing and leading to greater problems later in the car’s life.
How to Prevent Paint Oxidation
Car paint oxidation cannot be stopped entirely. Every car in Beverly Hills is subject to aging and with that, car paint oxidation. However, there are ways you can significantly slow down car paint oxidation so your vehicle can run for decades while looking as good as the day you bought it. These steps are particularly important in areas like South Bay where it is warm and sunny most of the year. Read below to see how you can prevent and slow down car paint Oxidation.
- Park your vehicle in a covered spot whenever you can. Whether it’s in a garage, in a shaded area, or under shelter, preventing prolonged exposure to UV rays (direct sunlight) will help protect your vehicle’s paint.
- Wash your car with soap meant for car paint. While it’s tempting to just use any soap when washing your car, it’s worth the investment to buy soap specifically meant for car paint. Car washing soap will protect the oil and wax coating on your vehicle, while other products like dishwasher or laundry soap may strip vehicle paint of its protective coating over time.
- After you wash and dry your car, apply a wax coating. Applying a wax coating will help protect your car’s paint job. There are many types of car paint, so it’s best to check with your vehicle manufacturer to find the right wax product for your vehicle. If there is no specific wax for your car, choose one that offers protection from UV rays and is a paste or liquid wax product.
How to Restore Oxidized Car Paint
If your vehicle has already shown signs of car paint oxidation, you may be wondering how to remove oxidation from car paint. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot you can do at your South Bay home to stop the car paint oxidation process once it begins, but you can bring your vehicle to one of the Eli’s Collision Repair body shops to have your vehicle paint restored or to have your vehicle repainted. Read more about how our shop restores oxidized car paint below.
Restoring the Original Paint
If your vehicle is in the early stages of paint oxidation, you’ll want to act fast to prevent it from progressing. In addition to using the tips above to prevent further damage, bring your vehicle to one of our Eli’s Collision Repair center locations. Our team will treat your car paint in a two-part process: first, we’ll buff your vehicle’s paint with a liquid abrasive. Then, we’ll apply a protective wax coating to prevent further damage.
Stripping and Repainting the Car
If your vehicle is in the later stages of car paint oxidation, it may require more aggressive treatment from our Eli’s Collision Repair team. In these instances, we will perform a professional car body & paint touch-up or strip of the vehicle of its original paint and apply a new coating. If your vehicle has rust spots due to car paint oxidation, we will address those before applying a new coat of paint. Repainting a vehicle will fully restore its original shine and luster while also protecting the car from further oxidation.
Have Your Car Paint Repaired at Eli’s Collision Repair
While car paint oxidation isn’t entirely preventable, you can take measures to ensure your vehicle’s paint remains beautiful for years to come in Mid Wilshire. If your vehicle requires a touch-up or a new paint job due to paint oxidation, Eli’s Collision Repair will restore it to like-new condition with our certified and knowledgeable team. Get a free estimate on your car paint oxidation repairs today, or learn more about how much it will cost to paint a car door.