Chemical Staining/Etching

Cause

A chemical change occurs when harmful environmental contaminants, such as acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, road tar, etc. remain on the surface for an extended period of time.

Repair

• Wash the vehicle with soap and hot water, rinse and dry

• Solvent clean with appropriate surface cleaner.

• Wash with baking soda solution and rinse thoroughly. (One tablespoon baking soda per one quart water.)

• Compound damaged surface and polish to restore gloss.

• If polishing does not remove the damage, wet sand with 1500-2000 grit sandpaper, then compound and polish to restore gloss.*

• If refinishing is necessary, sand to remove damaged area with appropriate grit sandpaper, wash with a baking soda solution, then refinish. In severe cases, the finish must be removed to bare metal.

Prevention

• Remove harmful water soluble contaminants by regularly washing with detergent and clear water.

• Polish or wax periodically.

• Avoid parking under trees or near factories that produce chemical fallout.

• Refinish with an acrylic urethane basecoat/clearcoat system to provide the maximum protection.

* When sanding and buffing a basecoat/clearcoat finish, a minimum film thickness of the clearcoat (2 mils) is required to maintain adequate ultraviolet protection. If correcting the damage will result in removing more than .5 mils, refinishing is recommended.