You want your car’s paint job to look shiny and new for a lifetime. But if your vehicle sits outside a lot, Mother Nature may have other plans. Environmental factors like bird droppings, bugs, and tree sap can wreak havoc on your car’s exterior. The good news is that you can protect your vehicle from the harsh outdoor elements by learning how to protect your car paint from tree sap damage.
Clear Bra
One of the best ways to protect your car from sap damage, as well as dings, chips, and scratches, is getting a clear bra coating. A clear bra is a film that goes over the body and frame of your vehicle to add an extra level of protection from the elements. An auto clear bra consists of thermoplastics and elastomeric polyurethane. These materials combine to create a durable "second skin” for your car that lasts years.
You can choose which areas to cover with a clear bra, so there are products and sizes for every part of your vehicle. From the entire front hood to door handles and bumpers, you can keep your vehicle safely protected from the elements.
Strategic Parking
Although it’s not always feasible, another way to protect your car paint from tree sap damage is to park in an area with fewer trees. When possible, park your vehicle indoors, under a carport, or in a tree-free parking lot. If your car isn’t constantly sitting in a heavily shaded area, you won’t need to worry as much about tree sap adhering to the paint.
In the spring and summer, when the sun is at its peak, it seems logical to park your vehicle under a tree to take advantage of the shade. However, the tree can give off sap that covers your car in a layer of sticky droplets. Once the droplets bake onto your vehicle’s clear coat, the stickiness will become etched into your car’s topcoat and underlying paint layer. Sap is incredibly difficult to remove once it hardens in this way. So do your best to avoid parking under trees and opt for a covered structure or open lot instead.
Ceramic Coating
You can apply a ceramic coating to your car’s paint job to protect it from tree sap and other environmental contamination. A ceramic coating increases the hardness of your paint so that corrosive materials won’t penetrate it. Once you apply a protective coating, your vehicle will be much easier to clean. You can easily wipe away sap and other unwanted elements before they permanently adhere to your clear coat.
A ceramic coating can withstand high heat and wear and tear, so you can be confident your vehicle has protection all year long. As mentioned above, cleaning after applying a ceramic coating is very easy. Most materials will simply slide off your car. If not, you’ll find that it’s still extremely easy to clean off the mess yourself. As such, adding ceramic coating to your car’s exterior is a great way to combat tree sap.
At Owner’s Pride, we offer high-quality car paint protection coating in Omaha, NE. We take the time to ensure your car is always protected and looking its absolute best. Invest in your vehicle by taking advantage of our services today!