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How to Protect Your Car’s Paint from Pollen Damage

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Along with the warmer weather of Spring and Summer comes pollen. For many, pollen is an annoying allergen, but what you may not know is that it can also wreak havoc on your car’s paint job. What you think of as a soft yellow dusting, is actually spores with tons of tiny “hooks” that can scratch your paint. Picture what a gumball from a sweetgum tree looks like, shrink that down, and that is what pollen particles resemble. But that’s not all. Pollen can also be highly acidic, eating away at the paint on your vehicle. Here are some simple tips on how to protect your car’s paint job from pollen damage and keep it looking new.

how to protect your car's paint job from pollen damage

3 Ways to Help Protect Your Car’s Paint Job from Pollen Damage

1. Give your car a nice, long, soapy wash

No matter what, do not just quickly wipe the pollen off your vehicle with a dry cloth. This only serves to spread the pollen around more while those microscopic hooks we discussed are scratching at your car. Instead, a thorough hand-washing with warm, soapy water will do the trick. Keep in mind that while warm water helps to eliminate all the particles, just using water alone activates pollen acidity. Therefore it’s important to make sure you use a car washing soap and a soft sponge.

Starting at the roof of the car and going down to the sides, use a hose to rinse off every inch of your vehicle. Next, add a car washing product to a bucket, fill it with water and use a soft sponge to go over every surface of your car. Again, start at the roof and work your way down. Make sure you use a separate sponge for non-painted surfaces such as the windows, wheels and any chrome.Rinse thoroughly then dry the car with a soft towel.

2. Polish with Wax

After you wash, be sure to give the car a good waxing as the wax will add a protective layer over your paint. While wax will not completely prevent pollen build up, it does make it more difficult for the sharp pollen particles to latch onto your vehicle. In addition, after a good car wash and wax; a simple rinse will work between cleanings.

Note: if you find yourself in the midst of another pollen storm, skip the waxing until the pollen dissapates. Otherwise you may find yourself rubbing pollen-filled wax onto your car’s finish.

3. Park Inside or Cover Your Car

Another way to help protect your car’s paint job from pollen damage is to park it inside a garage. If you don’t have access to a garage, invest in a good quality car cover – especially during the spring and summer months. Often times car dealerships like Marburger Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, in Shelby, North Carolina, can help you find a cover that is designed to fit your car’s particular model.

In Conclusion

Walking outside to find your car covered in pollen is not only unsightly, it can be damaging, too. While you will not be able to completely prevent pollen from landing on your car, following the above tips can help to protect your car’s paint from pollen damage.

Pollen on Car image Courtesy Jay Cross via Flickr

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