What Every Northern California Driver Needs to Know
The Bay Area is one of the most picturesque places in the country to drive. It is home to the coastal highway, the rolling hills of Marin County and the streets of San Francisco.
However, the same things that make the Bay Area so unique are also hard on your car’s exterior.
While today’s automotive paint is extremely durable, regular exposure to fog, salt in the air, sunlight and pollution can affect your car’s finish over time.
Here’s what every driver needs to know.
Morning Fog and Moisture
Foggy mornings are a staple of life in Bay Area communities.
While fog itself does not affect your paint job, the presence of moisture can cause mineral deposits to stick to your car, as well as prolong the effect of other contaminants such as dirt, pollen, or road grime.
It will eventually cause your vehicle to look dirty and create water stains.
Salt in the Air
Drivers who spend most of their time near the sea are exposed to the presence of salt in the air.
Microscopic salt particles attach to the paint, wheels, trim and undercarriage of the vehicle.
It leads to the faster deterioration of exposed metal parts and the general wear of paint, especially if the vehicle is not regularly washed.
That applies to residents and visitors of San Francisco, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Sausalito and other coastal communities.
Sunshine
As much as we love fog in California, the state still gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
Sunlight breaks down the layer of clear coat, reducing its gloss and making your paint job to fade over time.
Dark colored cars are usually affected by this process earlier than others since they absorb more heat from the sun.
Tree Sap and Bird Droppings
It might seem like parking under trees is cool in sunny California.
But it exposes your vehicle to tree sap and bird droppings.
Both of which are highly damaging to automotive paint.
They tend to stain the paint and even etch the clear coat over time, especially during warm months.
Simple Tips to Preserve the Finish
Taking good care of the exterior of your vehicle is not as difficult as it might seem.
You just need to develop a few habits to make your paint job last longer:
• Regularly wash your car to remove any dirt, pollen or salt.
• Dry the vehicle after washing to prevent water spots.
• Take off tree sap and bird droppings right away.
• Put wax or ceramic coating on the paint to provide extra protection.
• Park the vehicle in covered or shaded places whenever it is possible.
Why Quality Paint Matters
Even taking care of the finish of your car, you might notice changes in it over the years of exposure to the environment.
Once paint job repair becomes necessary, restoring the factory look of your car goes beyond simply putting the paint back on.
Paint-matching, high quality products and professional painters are key factors for perfect results.
At Anthony’s Auto Craft, we offer advanced paint-matching system and top-notch craftsmanship to make sure your vehicle looks like brand-new again.
There are not many places in California as picturesque as Bay Area.
And while its climate provides many unique opportunities for drivers, it also poses unique challenges to your car.
By regularly maintaining the finish and following the tips above, you can protect the beauty of your vehicle for a long time.
And once paint job repair becomes necessary, choose the professionals who know everything about the process.
