How to care for a car in the open
Leaving the car outdoors is a drama for many people. There are several agents that attack the painting: strong sun, acid rain, bird droppings, vegetable sap and the dreaded hail falls are part of the nightmare of those unable to park in covered parking spaces. RitieleVeiga is one of those suffering from the need to leave their cars sleeping in the open, as she and her husband have always liked old cars, but there was never room for them all in covered spaces. She thought she found the solution by leaving her L’Automobile Ventura, a rare national replica of the 1931 Alfa Romeo, protected by a car cover ready for winter. But even that didn’t help. “Despite having a cover, the cover eventually caused stains on the painting after a few years,” says Ritiele. “Under sun and rain, it stuck to the body, even though it had a felt interior.
So it was about a month ago that I gave up the cover, which is kept in the trunk, not only because of these problems, but also to scare off the curious who wanted to see which car was underneath. ” This is not to say that the cover should not be worn, but it needs to be of good quality and carefully put on, and it will do a great job if you need to take it off and put it on everyday. If this is your case, then the ideal is to be aware of the general condition of the painting and provide a wash every week, as recommended by the experts. According to Antonio Cosimato, owner of the Deep Cleaning Automotive Aesthetics Center, “a car that is out in the open suffers and will need more paint protection with the use of a long lasting wax.” The application of the wax must obey the visual criterion. When the car loses its shine, it’s time to go through a new waxing. Another trick is to see if water accumulates in the bodywork or not. If the drops drip easily, it is a sign that the body is protected by wax and does not need a new application.
Plastic operation
Cosimato also explains that, depending on the type of car, the degree of concern of the owner varies. “The paint varnish of first-class imported models, such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, is tougher with ceramic additives. On the other hand, a bodywork that has been repainted is more susceptible to weathering, ”says Cosimato. “But in all cases there are some components, such as plastics and rubbers, that will deteriorate to the point where they have to be replaced with others, such as friezes and seals.” For these types of parts, they are in stores. auto parts and hypermarkets products known as plastic parts protectors or renewers. One of the most aggressive agents in painting is pigeon droppings. “I recommend always having a bottle of water and a cloth to remove this kind of dirt as soon as possible, especially if it is exposed to the sun,” says Cosimato. Already marks of vegetable sap, which drip from some types of trees, should be removed with hydrocarbon-based solvents, popularly known as stick-on. Another major problem is acid rain, caused by the combination of water and air pollutants, which eventually erodes the paint and leaves whitish marks. In this situation, it may be necessary to subject the painting to more intense treatments known as polishing, crystallization and vitrification, each with a different duration.
Wilson Zimmermann, owner of the SP Center Car body shop, explains that polishing has a restorative effect and is designed to correct paint damage and shine without protecting the bodywork. Made with a polishing machine that applies a special, more abrasive wax, it should be used sparingly, as this will reduce the paint layer. The process is suitable for paintings that are more worn or scratched and should be done at most once every two years, at an average cost of 250 reais. “Already crystallization has some protective effect against sun and drips, among other not so harmful agents. It costs an average of 300 reais and can last up to six months, ”says Zimmermann. There is still a third stage, vitrification, which forms a layer of Tribond protective resin on top of the varnish, lasts for three years and is around 600 reais, Another villain for the car that sleeps in the open is hailstorm. Here even a roof over the garage or a thickly lined cover can prevent injury. Experts in repairing these small dents say the time and cost of this kind of service varies with the size of the ice stones that hit the body. “There are cases where we can deliver the car the next day and others that require longer work. The cost starts from 1000 reais and can exceed 2 000 reais in more serious cases, ”he says.
Protective cloak
Using a good automotive cover can be a good way to protect the paintwork of the car that is parked outdoors, but you have to be careful and choose well before you buy, otherwise you will end up wasting money and still risk the stained bodywork. According to the sales manager of BeziIndústria e Comércio, Valéria Rosa, the cover most suitable for those who leave the car in the open is made of special textured polyethylene with full lining, including the sides. It must also have two other important items: a steel cable secured by a small lock (which prevents theft and letting it get out of the car in high wind) and a small inflatable balloon, placed between the cover and the hood, to facilitate the ventilation. A good quality model costs between 120 and 200 reais, depending on the size. The most important tip, explains Valéria Rosa, is that the cover should not be put on if the inside is wet, or if the car engine is hot. “Only use it with completely dry bodywork. The material is waterproof, so it does not let water penetrate and, in case of misuse, also does not let moisture out. That’s what can cause stains, ”she says. Therefore, avoid the cheaper models made of PVC or polypropylene, as they do not resist the sun and may even crumble over time. And do not use cover if the paint is not in good condition, or in the case of freshly painted vehicles.
Does burnt paint have a solution?
When reselling your vehicle, the buyer will check on its condition. One of the factors analyzed is the painting, not only for aesthetic reasons, but also because it is responsible for protecting the bodywork of the car. Burnt paint, also called calcination, is an evil that plagues many drivers. Seeing your vehicle with blemishes on the hood, roof, trunk and sides breaks anyone’s heart. This wear gives an appearance of aging and increases exposure to weather such as rain, sun and winds that carry unwanted dirt that can settle in faults. You may find that this only happens with older cars, but the reality is that even semi-new ones can get burnt paint.
Want to find out how not to fall victim to this problem? Check it out below!
Why does it happen?
As stated earlier, many agents can be corrosive and generate this problem. Pollution, rain, wind, UV rays and many others can go against the vehicle bodywork and destroy the protective film – varnish or enamel – early. Even the quick showers offered at the stations can do this if the location chooses to use salt-containing detergents as one of its components, rather than the neutral shampoo (specific for car cleaning).
How to prevent calcination?
First, require your car to be washed with the right products. This will help to slow down paint problems. When a vehicle spends a lot of time in rain or sunlight, it tends to wear out much faster than in a sheltered place. Therefore, another option is not to let your car be long periods parked outdoors. If not, a good quality protective cover can greatly reduce the damage. If your car gets rain on the way, it is also good to wash it with fresh water when you get home, as rainwater contributes to rusting the vehicle structures. Whenever possible, apply a good wax as this product forms a protective coating on the paint.
Is there a solution for burnt paint?
You messed up and your car looks rusty. It’s time to appeal for the right products and bring your vehicle to life! To “resurrect” the beauty of your four-wheeled friend, you need a specific polish to return the hue and shine of the paint. It is noteworthy that these polishers are created for partially burned paintings and in this case can offer good results. When the case is critical, there is no way, the solution is to repaint the affected part or the whole car. As we can see, it is much more practical and economical to avoid burnt paint. With a few simple adjustments and care, you can get away from this headache and leave your vehicle shiny and beautiful for much longer. So keep your car , because for his painting also goes that old saying, “it is better to be safe than sorry”. Have you ever had to deal with burnt paintings on your car? How did you deal with this problem? Tell us in the comments!
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