CHEMICAL STAINING/ETCHING

Irregular shaped pitting, etching or discoloration on the paint film.

CAUSE

A chemical change occurs when harmful environmental contaminants, such as acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, road tar, etc. remain on the surface for an extended period of time.

REPAIR

1. Wash the vehicle with soap and hot water, rinse and dry.
2. Solvent clean with appropriate surface cleaner.
3. Wash with baking soda solution and rinse thoroughly. (One tablespoon baking soda per one quart water.)
4. Compound damaged surface and polish to restore gloss.
5. If polishing does not remove the damage, wet sand with 1500-2000 grit sandpaper, then compound and polish to restore gloss.*
6. If refinishing is necessary, sand to remove damaged area with appropriate grit sandpaper, wash with a baking soda solution, then refinish. In severe cases, the finish must be removed to bare metal.

PREVENTION

1. Remove harmful water soluble contaminants by regularly washing with detergent and clear water.
2. Polish or wax periodically.
3. Avoid parking under trees or near factories that produce chemical fallout.
4. Refinish with an acrylic urethane basecoat/clearcoat system to provide the maximum protection.

* When sanding and buffing a basecoat/clearcoat finish, a minimum film thickness of the clearcoat (2 mils) is required to maintain adequate ultraviolet protection. If correcting the damage will result in removing more than .5 mils, refinishing is recommended.

Photo 1	Diagram
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