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Why Is My Car’s Paint Chipping and What Can I Do About It?

If you’ve had your vehicle for several years or more, you may be starting to notice some of the car’s paint is peeling or chipping.  Don’t panic!  This is more common than you may think and there are several reasons why your paint may be starting to chip.  Here at Bumpers Etc., we work on many cars experiencing chipped paint from a variety of sources like bird droppings, tree sap, UV rays and previous paint repair jobs from other auto body paint shops that were not done properly.

Please allow us to educate you on why car paint can chip and how we can fix it for you.

Common Causes of Peeling or Chipping Paint:

  • Accidents – This may sound like a no-brainer, but when a vehicle is involved in some sort of accident (whether it be between two vehicles, bumping into a pole while parking, or a car door being swung open into the side of your car), a car’s paint can be easily damaged. Even if there is no paint damage to the naked eye, underlying paint damage could be under the surface.
  • Bird Droppings – Although feces from a bird may seem harmless (yet gross), the uric acid found in bird droppings is actually strong enough to eat away at your car’s paint. To help your car’s paint last longer, it’s best to remove bird droppings from your vehicle as soon as you notice them.
  • Environmental Factors – Not only are things such as leaves and tree sap unsightly and annoying to remove from your vehicle, but natural contaminants can also cause your car paint to discolor and fade. If you regularly park your car under trees, make it part of your routine to remove fallen leaves, berries, tree sap, road salt and any other foreign substances as soon as possible.  Your car’s paint will thank you!

  • Prolonged Exposure to UV rays – Just as the sun can be harmful to your exposed skin, UV rays can also cause damage to your car’s paint. Although UV light is invisible, it can be very powerful and can cause your car’s paint to dull over time.  When able, park your vehicle in a covered garage or in the shade when you are not using it.
  • Poor Paint Job – If you got your car repainted and are experiencing paint peeling off your car, there’s a good chance the paint didn’t have a long enough time to cure. Be sure to only enlist the help of trusted and skilled auto body paint shops when it comes to painting your automobile.  There’s a very meticulous painting process involved to ensure your car’s paint will be restored and shining bright without flaws. 

When your car’s once-brilliant paint job has been dinged up by unsightly chipped or peeled paint, take it to a reliable car body shop in your area.  The purpose of car paint is to not only make your vehicle look nice, but also to help protect the body from inclement weather and other environmental factors that can cause rust.

So, what all is involved with repainting a car? 

The professionals at Bumpers Etc. are here to explain a simplified overview of the paint process:

  1. Blueprint – The first thing to do is figure out which panels need to be refinished.
  2. Sanding – Sandpaper in a variety of grits will be used to feather out panels and edges carefully.
  3. Cleaning & Drying – All bare plastic is completely wiped down with alcohol, scuff gel and scuff pad application. Then everything is thoroughly hosed down and left to dry completely to ensure that the paint will not peel again.
  4. Masks – All panels and parts of the vehicle that are not being refinished will be carefully covered and masked.
  5. Prep Paint Booth – It’s important to thoroughly clean the paint booth and set the temperature to proper settings for the perfect paint job.
  6. Paint Application – All sealers are applied first and then the base coat color is mixed and applied to the vehicle. Panels will be checked with an artificial light source to verify coverage and uniformity.
  7. Clearcoat – Two full coats of clearcoat will be applied to emulate a factory finish and provide you with a consistent protective barrier for your car body.
  8. Cure Time – Based on the products used for your specific vehicle, the paint and clearcoat will be left to cure, so that the new paint is properly adhered to your car.

Bumpers Etc. – An Auto Body Paint Shop You Can Trust!

Bumpers Etc. Auto Body & Collision is a skilled car body repair shop located in Lancaster County.  In addition to collision paint repairs, we also specialize in express auto paint repair and a number of other automotive services. Our work is guaranteed for as long as you own your vehicle.

If your car has peeled or chipped paint, what are you waiting for?

Contact us today at (717) 738-0334 to get your auto repair paint scheduled – you won’t be disappointed!

If you’re interested in protecting your car’s paint even more, consider our ceramic coating service for the ultimate protection.

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