While your first instinct will be to take your vehicle to a car bumper repair specialist when you notice an oxidation problem, preventing this issue is better than repairing. The shine and gloss of the paintwork of your vehicle are beautiful to look at but if your joy and pride are beginning to look dull and faded then it is a sign of oxidation. What causes oxidation? Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can be caused by a wide range of things.
As a result, atoms, molecules and ions are chemically changed. E.g., oxygen is an oxidiser that can change the molecular structure of car paint. This is what causes oxidation. As a result, your paintwork will begin to fade. The paint will lose its smooth sheen. It will feel rough to touch. In extreme cases, car paint will take a distinct cloudy or chalky appearance. The paintwork will look unsightly and reduce the resale value of your vehicle. Preventative maintenance is better than repairing your vehicle. Here are some causes of car paint oxidation and how to prevent it.
Exposing your car to UV rays
If you always park your vehicle outside then you could be accelerating its oxidation without knowing. If you don’t have a driveway or garage then street parking may be the best option. However, exposure to strong sunlight will eventually lead to car paint problems. You should think of the effects that the powerful sun rays have on your skin if you don’t protect yourself with sunscreen. Unprotected skin will lose its natural oils and dry up. This leaves you tired and dull. Your car paintwork will suffer the same and you will need to hire a car bumper repair specialist to take care of things if they worsen.
UV rays heat the paint of your car and the combination of atmospheric oxygen and heat trigger a chemical reaction. This causes the paint to oxidise. The paint oil will dry up and affect the shine and colour of your vehicle.
You can prevent car paint oxidation by ensuring your vehicle is parked in a shade, especially during summer when the sun is hotter. Or maybe think about buying a car cover to protect your car from the elements. If serious UV damage has caused your paint to oxidise, you should leave it to a professional.
Build-up of contaminants
Environmental pollution and other contaminants will affect the high shine of your car paintwork. E.g., carbon-based molecules can build up on the paintwork of your vehicle and damage its clear coat. It is very possible to buff out any paintwork imperfections with a cutting compound but you should be careful when removing the clear coat layer. If you overdo things then you will strip away the paint protection. This will enable the chemicals that cause oxidation to attack the paintwork of your car.To prevent this problem, you should do a regular car wash to get ridof particles of pollutants from the surface of the car. Take your car to a car bumper repair specialist if the car has already sustained scratches and paint oxidation.