Environmental Car Damage  

Acid Rain and Mineral Deposits

90% of water spots in paint will be caused by "acid rain".  When mineral-laden wash water or polluted rain dries on the car surface the concentrated mineral residue will etch craters on the clear coat and sometimes into the color coat. This happens commonly in large cities, and near airports.

A bit of paint restoration will lessen the jagged appearance of the craters. Inspect the craters under magnification to see the real damage.

The edge of the crater is more visible than depth. Level the "edge" until it is smooth. This will make it much less visible. A professional polishing process will bring you the desired. Finish your "leveling" process with a swirl remover.

 
Oxidization Damage

UV radiation burns the exterior "skin" of motor vehicles. This process is termed "oxidation." Every surface is affected, including paint, plastic, rubber, and vinyl, among others.

Paint first turns dull and then chalky. Rubber seals and bumpers will turn white, dry out, and then become hard as granite. Vinyl trim will turn white and then crack. Hard plastic reacts much the same as paint.

Tar and Sap Removal

Remove sticky substances right away. Dissolve tar with a petroleum-based cleaner, or with a citrus-based degreaser. Only use products that won't harm the vehicle's paint or vinyl trim.

Sap is stubborn, especially evergreen tree sap, which is extremely sticky. Use a tar remover to release the cohesion. If it has been on longer and has hardened, use a bug block or even a clay overspray remover. Bug blocks also work well to remove aged tar. Follow sap removal with a light paint cleaner and wax.