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Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door frames,
hood, headlight frames, etc.) with special
care, as water may stagnate more easily in
these areas. Do not wash the vehicle after it
has been left in the sun or with the hood hot:
this may alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the
same way as the rest of the vehicle.
NOTE:
Avoid parking under trees; the sap
dropped by trees makes the paint work go
dull and increases the possibility of corro-
sion.
Bird droppings must be washed off imme-
diately and thoroughly as the acid they
contain is particularly aggressive.
Etching caused by acid rain or industrial fallout
Cause:
Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions
drift into the air and mix with rain or dew to
form acids. These acids can settle on a
vehicle's finish. As the water evaporates, the
acid becomes concentrated and can damage
the finish.
The longer the acid remains on the surface,
the greater the chance is for damage.
274
Prevention:
It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle
to preserve its finish according to the
instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you
suspect that acid rain has settled on your
vehicle's finish.
Damage caused by bird dropping/insects/tree
sap
Problem:
Bird droppings contain acids. If these are not
removed they can eat away the clear and
color base coat of the vehicle's paintwork.
When insects stick to the paint surface and
decompose, corrosive compounds form.
These can erode the clear and color base
coat of the vehicle's paintwork if they are not
removed.
Tree sap will harden and adhere permanently
to the paint finish. If you scratch the sap off
while it is hard, some vehicle paint could
come off with it.
Prevention:
It is necessary to have your vehicle washed
and waxed to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. This should
be done as soon as possible.
Bird droppings can be removed with a soft
sponge and water. If you are travelling and
these are not available, a moistened tissue
may also take care of the problem. The
cleaned area should be waxed according to
the instructions in this section. Insects and
tree sap are best removed with a soft sponge
and water or a commercially available chem-
ical cleaner.
Another method is to cover the affected area
with dampened newspaper for one to two
hours. After removing the newspaper, rinse
off the loosened debris with water.
Water marks
Problem:
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these minerals
settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the
minerals will concentrate and harden to form
white rings. The rings can damage your
vehicle's finish.
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