5 Very Common Things that Can Ruin the Finish on Your Car

Tony Mers • February 28, 2020

While the hazards that our cars are exposed to are nearly infinite, there are three things that cause auto body and finish damage more than any others: collisions, negligence, and weather. Among those, there are five mundane and potentially overlooked things that happen every day and are likely, in the long run, to send you hustling to the auto paint shop. Read on for a list of ordinary things that can have an extraordinary impact on the look and finish of your car.

Light

The ultraviolet rays from the sun can be as destructive to the finish on your car as they can be to your skin: they can damage it, slowly burn it, and leave it looking older than it is. Many of us must leave our cars exposed to sunlight for many hours per day, at least. Over time, that exposure erodes the finish and paint, leaving your car looking dull and faded. Experts in auto paint shops recommend keeping cars garaged, if possible, parked under a carport or in a shaded area, or protected by a car cover. This step will prevent or at least minimize damage from light and save you a trip to the auto paint shop.

Insects

Insect carcasses smashed and smeared across auto grills, windshields, and bodies are not just unsightly and grisly, they’re also damaging to your car’s finish. The acidity in the decomposing carcasses can eat away at your car’s finish, leaving paint exposed to the elements and dulled areas. While there is almost nothing to be done to prevent contact with flying insects, it is important to clear the detritus of accumulated insects from your car as thoroughly and frequently as possible.

Acidic Beverages

We’ve all placed beverages on our cars. And we’ve all found that the curved and sloping contours of almost every surface of a car’s exterior are not ideal for balancing beverages. Inevitably, they tip, topple, and spill. It’s not just an inconvenience: acidic beverages like soda, coffee, beer, and others can erode your car’s finish if not cleaned thoroughly and immediately. In addition, many of these beverages contain strong artificial coloring which can leave permanent stains that can only be corrected by a trip to the auto paint shop.

Bird Waste

It’s not just an insult: it can be an injury to your car’s finish. Bird waste, nearly impossible to avoid especially during warm weather, contains digestive acids and can have the same impact on your car’s finish as insect carcasses and acidic beverages. Further, bird waste can contain abrasives that make it easier for damaging acids to penetrate your car’s paint. Professionals from auto paint shops advise that bird waste be cleared immediately and the affected area thoroughly cleaned with water and an appropriate detergent.

Sap from Trees

The roofs of our cars tend to be overlooked, but they are as vulnerable to some of these hazards as the rest of the car, especially sunlight and tree sap. Of all of these, tree sap can be the most difficult to clean and the most damaging. The chemicals in tree sap have destructive interactions with the paint and finish on your car. Auto paint shop veterans recommend clearing up sticky, binding adherent with a finish-safe cloth and a small amount of an appropriate rubbing or polish compound, then washing the affected surface as you would for other common stains.

In the event that your car has already suffered long-term damage from one, some, or all of these common hazards, all is not lost. A qualified auto paint shop or auto body shop will be able to guide you through the steps necessary to get your vehicle looking like new as quickly as possible. And while you’re there, you can learn more about repairing other common types of damage, from hail damage to parking lot ding dent repair.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.