How to handle car paint oxidization

The sun in Central Florida can be brutal. If you’ve lived even one summer here, you know how unforgiving the sun can be in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to your car. One of the most common types of car paint damage we see here at Toyota of Orlando is car paint oxidization. This is when the sun actually causes your paint to lose its oil content and start to develop a dull, rough finish and eventually, lose its color pigment. There’s usually no coming back from severe cases or cases in which the car lacks a clear coat, but there are ways to make it look better. Our Orlando Toyota body shop is here with tips on how to handle this type of car paint damage.

How to prevent and treat this type of car paint damage

Tip #1: Prevention is key. The best way to handle car paint oxidization is to try and prevent it from happening in the first place. How? By parking your car under cover as much as you can – a garage is best, but a carport or even trees that provide some shade can help ward off sun damage to your vehicle. If you aren’t able to park under any cover, you may want to consider investing in a car cover to protect your vehicle when it’s sitting out in the elements. You should also regularly apply wax. A solid coat of quality wax can help prevent sun damage (and also keeps moisture away) to keep your paint bright and shiny.

Tip #2: Get the right tools. If you’re going to try to spruce up your car paint DIY style, you’re going to need the right tools. Shop our Toyota of Orlando parts store for:

• Car soap and a sponge
• A few soft microfiber towels
• An electric buffer with soft pads
• Car rubbing compound
• Car polish and wax
• Automotive tape

Tip #3: Get to work. Here are the quick steps you can take to try and reduce car paint oxidization. Note: This will only work if you have a clear coat on your car.

• First, wash your car thoroughly and park it in the shade to dry it off with the microfiber towels. Direct sunlight is no good for rubbing compound, polish, or wax.
• Next, tape off all of the plastic and chrome pieces in the area where you’re working.
• Apply a small amount of rubbing compound to the area and then use the electric buffer to work it into the paint. Go slow, use the slowest setting, and put the softest pad on the buffer. It’ll take time, so don’t rush or apply too much pressure. If it doesn’t seem to be working, you can swap out the buffer pad for one that’s more heavy-duty and use a higher speed.
• Wipe off the excess compound and repeat the process with polish.
• Wipe off the excess polish and use a quality car wax to apply a couple of coats of wax to the entire car.

Schedule car paint oxidization repairs at Toyota of Orlando

If the above steps don’t seem to make a difference on your Orlando Toyota (or you don’t have a clear coat), then it’s time to bring in the professionals. Let the Orlando Toyota body shop take a look at it and get the process started on your car paint job to bring your car back to like-new condition. We’re conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can call us at (407) 298-0001 today! Come by for a free estimate – your car is in good hands.

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