Can Acid Rain Damage Your Car’s Paint?

Can acid rain damage car paint? Yes – but you have some options.

Rainwater containing higher-than-average concentrations of acidic contaminants can cause issues for paintwork over the long haul. However, expert car paint shops in Tucson, like Formula 1 Collision Center, have a few excellent solutions you can consider.

Need protection and remediation options for your car’s paintwork? Learn more below.

What Causes Acid Rain?

If your car’s paintwork is suffering every time it rains, it’s helpful to understand why. Chemical compounds like nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide have a high acidity. When they mix with moisture in the atmosphere, they create acid rain, which eventually falls onto your vehicle.

Experiencing acid rain in the Tucson area doesn’t mean the pollutants originated here. Some chemical compounds that cause acid rain occur naturally from volcanic eruptions, while most others come from the burning of fossil fuels. Atmospheric winds carry the pollutants long distances before they fall as acid rain, so it could come from anywhere.

How Acidic Rainwater Affects Car Paint

Your car’s paint problems start after the raindrops dry. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind acidic pollutants, which break down the properties of paint. The deterioration causes premature fading, corrosion, and etching, as well as rust from oxidation.

Can acid rain damage car paint right away? It’s rare to see immediate problems. However, if your vehicle has frequent exposure to acid rain and you don’t take steps to prevent or treat it, damage is inevitable.

Signs That You Might Have Acid Rain Damage

If you suspect the area has had acid rain, check the condition of the vehicle’s paint job after the water dries from an earlier rainstorm. See spots that have odd shapes? Dull, irregular spots on the motor vehicle’s paint job could be a corrosive chemical residue doing its thing on your car’s paintwork.

To treat damage from acid rain, experts restore the paint’s finish through polishing and buffing in any small areas that need repairs. If you’ve left it too long, the entire vehicle might need repainting, but your car paint shop professionals will discuss these options in detail.

Ways To Help You Prevent Vehicle and Paint Damage

It may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to stop damage from rainwater with high acidity levels is to frequently wash the motor vehicle. That keeps the pollutants off and gives you a chance to add wax or sealant to protect the paint as needed. The right coating repels the rainwater and prevents the acidic pollutants from adhering to the car.

Storing the motor vehicle inside a garage or under a cover greatly limits its exposure, too.

Don’t Stress About Acid Rain — Call Our Expert Paint Technicians at Formula 1 Collision Center

Can acid rain damage car paint if it’s sealed and washed? At Formula 1 Collision Center, our experience and high-quality products do wonders for your motor vehicle’s finish, so harsh acid rain shouldn’t be a problem for you. We also handle all types of car paint damage, so your car has everything it needs.

Call us today at (520) 369-4291!