| The condition of the paint on a car goes a | | | | many more vintage cars than in the Northeast. |
| long way in establishing how the car looks. | | | | It is not just the absence of salt, but also |
| So, what are the common things that can do a | | | | the low moisture levels that cause this |
| number on your paint? | | | | result. There is plenty of oxygen and even |
| | | | more high temperature and sunlight, but |
| Salt, sunlight, water, temperature, and | | | | without the water and the salt, their impact |
| oxygen will damage car paint. Fortunately, | | | | is greatly reduced. The energy of sunlight is |
| they will not do it by themselves, but must | | | | not totally safe. Car paint is sensitive to |
| be in combination with one or more of the | | | | it. Temperature cycles are the worse thing. |
| others. The collective action of these | | | | Temperature cycles tend to cause expansion |
| factors can be quite complicated. Collisions | | | | and contraction of the protective surface, |
| also damage car paint. This includes | | | | and this acts like a hammer or chisel making |
| collisions with other objects even small | | | | little openings. |
| bumps. Rocks flying up off the road are | | | | |
| considered collisions as is the result of an | | | | Once there is an opening in the paint coat |
| angry ex running a key down one of the door | | | | and the underlying steel is exposed, a |
| panels. Collisions physically damage the | | | | chemical reaction can take place. It is |
| protective coating and the underlying paint | | | | between the iron in the steel and the oxygen |
| at the point of the collision, and create an | | | | in the water. This is oxidation or rust. This |
| opening for the combinations of the five real | | | | is also where salt comes into play. Salt is a |
| culprits to do their work. | | | | conductor that facilitates and speeds the |
| | | | oxidation process. In the presence of salt, |
| Oxygen, light (especially ultra violet | | | | things will rust very quickly. |
| light), and water cause a chemical reaction | | | | |
| in the paint. This chemical reaction can | | | | So, there you have it. The big enemies of |
| destroy the chemical bond of the protective | | | | your car's paint job are very elemental. |
| coating. Modern car paints and protective | | | | Water, air, sunlight, and the change of |
| coatings are very tough and resistant. Salt, | | | | temperature can all cause problems. First, |
| by itself, will have no effect on most paint. | | | | they have to penetrate the protective surface |
| You could actually pack your car in salt if | | | | coating. This is your salvation. If you keep |
| the paint and protective coating was intact. | | | | your paint job protected, and deal with minor |
| First, there must be a gap in the protection. | | | | scratches and dings immediately, you will |
| Once, there is, salt becomes very serious, | | | | extend the life of the paint. Keeping your |
| and a rust disaster is imminent. | | | | car from direct exposure to the sun whenever |
| | | | possible will help as well. |
| In the dry and snow free Southwest, there are | | | | |