4 Causes of Fading Car Paint Color

If you have bought a new car or applied a new car paint color to change the look of your vehicle, the last thing you want is to create a situation that could cause the paint to fade. Understanding the common causes for fading to car paint can help you to avoid them.

1. Sunlight

Even when the sun doesn’t appear to be that bright, the ultra violet rays can still remain powerful and can cause the car paint color to fade. The sun’s rays degrade the finish of the paintwork which is designed to protect it. This then leaves the paint exposed and susceptible to damage and fading to the color. With the sun comes the heat, which is absorbed and stored in the metal of the car’s bodywork and can also be the cause of fading and discoloration. If you find the problem with faded car paint color is mainly a problem on the roof, hood and boot then this is likely to be the cause. Wherever possible, avoid parking the car in direct sunlight and store the car within an enclosed garage or covered port if you have the facility.      

2. Salt

If you live near the ocean, you may find that salt in the air can be problematic and can cause your car paint color to fade. If salt is allowed to remain on the surface of the paintwork, you will find that the result will be oxidization. This can not only cause the paint to fade, but will also damage it to the point where it peels and rusts the surface beneath. This problem can be prevented with the use of a regular and effective method of cleaning and waxing to create a surface that salt cannot stick to.

3. Abrasive Cleaners

Using the wrong solutions and tools to clean the car can result in the car paint color fading if they are used over extended periods of time. Not every type of cloth is suitable for cleaning a car’s paint work even if it is heavily soiled. Do not, under any circumstances, use a scouring style pad or cloth to clean the car as this can result in you removing layers of paint. In addition, always make sure that you use a cleaning solution that is specifically manufactured for the purpose of cleaning cars. Avoid any products that contain an array of chemicals. Maintain the wax job to the car’s paint job to reduce the need for cleaning. A decent wax will prevent debris adhering to the car so that you do not have to undertake any unnecessary cleaning.   

4. Pollution

There are a range of contaminants and toxic particles that are floating around the atmosphere, which are all the more dangerous and destructive because they are not immediately evident. If you find that your paintwork has faded but there does not immediately appear to be a cause, this may be the problem. Consider your surroundings and the areas in which it is usually stored, if there is a significant amount of traffic or factories close by, as this can be the cause of the problem.

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How to protect your car paint

How to protect your car paint?

How to protect your car paint

The sun can wreak havoc on your car, causing oxidation and premature fading to its paint. Fortunately, the right maintenance routine can keep your new car looking like it just rolled out of the dealership and boost its curb appeal.

As you through your weekly routine, seek covered or sheltered parking whenever possible. This protects not only your car's paint but also its headlights and rubberized trim.

You can help undo some of the damage from the UV rays, heat and insults wrought by nature, including suicidal bugs and bird droppings. Here are a few simple tips to help you get started.

Protect your car's paint by washing it

Wash your car often. Washing your car and cleansing it of pollution and grime is the first step. Get a soft cotton mitt, bucket and automotive cleaning product, and work on the car out of direct sunlight. Even if you have tough deposits like splattered bugs or road tar, never scratch your car. Instead, consider using an auto detailing clay bar. "Claying" is a safe way to remove damaging materials without leaving a trace.

Dry your car thoroughly. Although some owners just hop into the car immediately after washing and skip drying, this is not best for your car's appearance. Drying your car with a right cloth protects your car's paint from minerals left behind by water evaporation.

Waxing your car, meanwhile, remains one of the most effective ways to keep it looking like new. The wax protects the paint against roadside pollutants while also combating the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Waxing will also prevent dirt and grit from sticking to your vehicle, which can protect your paint from pit damage. When you don't wax your car, grime left on your car can damage the paint job.

Engine heat stresses the hood's paint, and direct sunlight can scorch the paint on the roof. Despite the sun and heat, your car can glow with a wash, dry and glossy coat of wax.

Invest in paint protection

If you want to take it a step further, some drivers invest in auto paint protection kits for their entire car to protect their car paint like:

Waxing/Sealant

1) Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer
2) Sonax High Speed Wax
3) Sonax Wax Xtreme Full Protect

Coating

Sonax Wheel Cleaner PLUS - Acid Free

Safe on all wheels, including aluminum and alloys!

SONAX Wheel Cleaner safely and effectively eliminates the most stubborn dirt such as brake dust, oil and rubber residue. Color-change foam lets you know it's working! SONAX Wheel Cleaner's acid-free, non-corrosive formula is safe on all types of painted, alloy, anodized, clear coated, chrome, aluminum and stainless steel wheels. Clean with confidence!

If you have custom, specialty, or otherwise expensive wheels, you have just found your wheel cleaner. SONAX Wheel Cleaner is pH neutral to protect your wheels' finish. This is in sharp contrast to many wheel cleaners, which contain harsh chemical solvents. SONAX Wheel Cleaner is tough on dirt, but gentle on your vehicle’s wheels.

Gentle does not mean weak! Instead of acidic cleaners, SONAX Wheel Cleaner is formulated with more sophisticated ingredients designed to attack what is on the wheel, not the wheel itself.

You can literally see SONAX Wheel Cleaner working! SONAX Wheel Cleaner sprays on fluorescent green and turns red as it penetrates dirt and grime. Red indicates that the brake dust, oily film, and dirt are being loosened and - with minimal effort - they'll rinse away, leaving clean, sparkling wheels.

Spray on SONAX Wheel Cleaner and allow it to dwell for several seconds as the cleaner turns red. If necessary, use a soft-bristled wheel brush to clean between spokes. The Speed Master Wheel Brushhas soft nylon bristles that are gentle on all wheels, and it cleans deep between spokes. Rinse with clean water and towel dry to prevent water spots.

Spray one wheel at a time with SONAX Wheel Cleaner.	SONAX Wheel Cleaner immediately starts loosening brake dust and oil.
Above, you can see that SONAX Wheel Cleaner turns red as it comes into contact with brake dust.	SONAX Wheel Cleaner does most of the work for you!
Use a soft wheel brush to agitate the cleaner. Here we used a Speed Master Wheel Brush.	Rinse each wheel thoroughly.

Those of us with expensive, custom wheels or unique finishes have struggled to find a safe wheel cleaner. Search no more! SONAX Wheel Cleaner is the solution! Made in Germany. Info Link-http://www.autogeekonline.net/

What is watermark/water spot on your car body?

Water spots take many different forms across the various surfaces on your vehicle. The two most common (and frustrating) are the spots left behind on your paint and glass.

What causes water spots?

Water spots are most frequently created when hard water is left on a surface – paint or glass – to dry (technically, evaporate). This can be due to not drying your car after a wash, parking your car a little too close to a sprinkler, or even from rain water that is left on the surface too long. In a best case scenario, the minerals and dirt in the water are simply left on the surface of the paint after the water has evaporated off. Things get worse if the water contains something corrosive that etches the surface as it sits, creating a “crater”. If not addressed, these craters can actually get worse over time, as water will pool in them and continue to etch the same spot.

How do I remove water spots?

Depending on the severity, there are a few solutions to removing water spots. As always, you’ll want to begin with the least aggressive product necessary to get the job done. So, start with the basic things. Clean the surface; this can be with Car Wash, Speed Shine, Window Cleaner, or whatever product is appropriate for the level of dirt on the surface. Often a simple cleaning will remove some of those basic water spots caused by dirt or minerals sitting on the surface.

If a basic cleaning doesn’t cure the problem, clay is your next level of attack. These will still attack dirt and minerals, and they’ll be more effective at pulling things off the surface that have been around for awhile and bonded to it. Give a light mist of Speed Shine and gently rub the clay across the surface to pull the contaminants from the paint. This is a non-abrasive process, so extra applications are not going to hurt.

Okay, so cleaning and claying haven’t removed your water spots; you’re most likely dealing with spots that have etched into the surface. Don’t stress! A little polishing should take care of the problem. 

How do I prevent water spots?
Simply not getting our cars wet is not an option for most of us, so let’s talk about realistic ways to reduce the likelihood of water spots forming.

First, a good coat of wax or sealant on your paint is the first line of defense. Not only will this prevent most spots from occurring in the first place, it will create a barrier between the hard water and the paint. So, if a water spot does form, it will most likely be on the wax/sealant layer instead of the paint making it much, much easier to remove.

Second, keep your car clean. No matter how hard we try to avoid it, rain will fall, our cars will get hit by a poorly aimed sprinkler, and unwanted water is going to end up on our vehicles. As we talked about earlier, it’s not the water that causes spotting; it’s allowing what’s in the water to sit on the surface. Keep don’t delay washing your car.

SONAX Brilliant Shine Detailer

SONAX Brilliant Shine Detailer is a great compliment to any car enthusiasts' product arsenal. The easy-to-use formulation incorporates a uniques Hybrid Polymer Technology that provides long lasting protection and an extremely flat surface, which generates outstanding paint reflection and a deep, brilliant shine.






For fast, interim paintwork care. Cleans slightly soiled surfaces gently and thoroughly, without scratches. It enhances the paintwork finish and gives the paintwork a velvety smooth surface and a brilliant deep shine. It freshens up existing wax finishes and provides an additional water drip-off effect. A high quality SONAX Microfibre cloth is included for an optimum application and perfect results.

Product Attributes

Hybrid Polymer Technology creates long-lasting protection (lasts several wash cycles)
Compliments and extends waxes or sealants already applied to the paint surface
Produces an extremely smooth surface, increasing the color depth and shine

Sonax High Speed Wax

SONAX High Speed Wax is a simple and effective way to keep your car looking showroom new. The easy on/easy off spray wax emulsion seals the paint surface with a combination of carnauba and silicone. Use SONAX High Speed Wax between wax treatments to maintain a clean, sleek, shiny finish!

SONAX High Speed Wax is based on high tech chemistry that results in a slick shine. A blend of microscopic carnauba wax and a special silicone emulsion deliver a streak-free gloss with real protection!

Other liquid waxes can be streaky because the wax particles are too large or are not adequately stable to spread evenly. SONAX High Speed Wax takes advantage of SONAX's ground-breaking nano technology. The micro wax particles distribute evenly, resulting in a clear, streak-free finish every time.

SONAX High Speed Wax is also suitable for quick touch-ups on plastics, such as vinyl convertible tops. SONAX High Speed Wax makes surfaces look instantly glossy but has the true staying power of a polymer wax.

Use SONAX High Speed Wax after washing to restore any protection that may have diminished as a result of environmental exposure since your last wax or sealant application. It's an excellent maintenance wax when you're pressed for time or just want to give your vehicle a quick touch-up.

Sonax Xtreme Wax Full Proctect

Solid hard wax for new paintwork, and for clean, prepared paintwork. The paste-like wax, which has a high natural Carnauba wax content, contains no abrasives. It provides really long-lasting protection and a perfect shine. Especially economical and incredibly easy to polish out. Fresh new scent.