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.