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Stubborn stains on car paint could be frustrating. You might have tried every possible means to remove such stain and it seems not working. Are you considering using nail polish remover to remove the stubborn stain? Before you proceed, it is recommended that you read this guide.
Is nail polish remover safe on car paint? No, you should never use nail polish to remove stains from car paint. It contains a chemical, acetone that could damage the paint and leave the particular spot raw.
If soap and water are not working to remove stains on the car, never use a nail polish remover. Read on for more information on this.
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How safe is using a nail polish remover on car paint?
There are times you might want to remove stains from your car paint and soap and water are not working. In such a situation, you might want to use a nail polish remover.
Although it might remove the particular stain you intend to remove, it can, however, leave the paint damaged if you are not careful. It is not recommended that you use a nail polish remover on car paint. There are other options you can try.
What will happen if I apply nail polish remover on my car’s paint?
It has been said earlier in this guide that a nail polish remover is not good on car paint. You might not like the outcome. Highlighted below are the likely things that might happen if you use a nail polish remover on a car’s paint.
Damage the car’s paint
You care for your car and you want it to be in good condition. However, applying nail polish remover to remove stains from the car will potentially damage the car. Nail polish remover contains a chemical that will not be gentle on the car.
Damage other things
You think this is impossible. Nail polish remover will not only damage the car’s paint, but it will also extend to other things if you are not careful. It will penetrate beyond the paint level to the coating level, and maybe the plastic.
Permanent mark
If you apply a nail polish remover on your car’s paint, it will not only clear the paint, it will leave a permanent spot there. If this should happen, your car will become less attractive. You will have to try other means to remove the spot.
Extra spending
Removing the mark created by nail polish remover means you will have to repaint the particular spot or the entire vehicle. If you are doing any of these, you will be spending extra money.
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What should I do if I want to use a nail polish remover on my car?
Nail polish remover is one of the things you can use to clean a foggy headlight. It makes the headlight shines brighter than it was before you apply it.
In such a situation, you have to be careful when you want to use a nail polish remover so that it won’t affect the car’s paint. Here is a list of some of the things you should do when you want to use a nail polish remover on your car.
- Get a masking tape: You should get a masking car grading tape. You then apply it around the edges of the particular spot where you want to apply nail polish remover.
- Wash immediately after use: Once you have applied the nail polish remover on the spot and you have achieved your desired result, you should wash off immediately. You can then remove the masking tape.
Causes of car stains
You may wash your car and in the next few minutes, you just notice that the car is stained. You then begin to wonder where the stain came from. Well, your car could get stained from many sources. Read on for the causes of car stains.
Bird dropping
Excreta from birds is acidic which can contaminate the car’s paint. It gets worse when the droppings occurred when there is excessive sunlight or heat, which would increase the rate at which it will contaminate the car’s paint.
Don’t assume the bird’s dropping is insignificant when you notice it on your car. It could leave a permanent mark on the paint if you do not attend to it immediately.
Water stain
Your car can retain water droplets when you wash the car or when it rains. You might not notice it immediately but the presence of the minerals in the water would lead to water stain.
Dust stain
This is one of the commonest but neglected sources of car stains. In a situation where you leave the car unwashed for a longer duration, dust will cover the car, dulls the paint, and cause abrasion on the coating.
Oxidation
Many things could be responsible for this. If you leave a stain unattended immediately, the chemical could penetrate and leave the paint oxidized.
Sap stain
This type of stain is always glued like and it occurs due to the presence of nature around us. If you park your car in the open, especially under the tree, the sap from the tree branches could drop on the car. The sap is acidic and it could penetrate the paint of the car.
Fingerprint
Having little children around is fun, but could be problematic at times. They play with anything without the knowledge of what could be the consequences of their action.
Rubbing their finger on the car could make the paint retain dust which might make the stain sticky and difficult to wash off.
Lose stones
This is one of the frequent causes of stains on car paint. In addition, the car’s bonnet and bumper are the two spots where the stains could be easily noticed.
Car fluid stain
Most car owners do not pay attention to this. Fluids like engine oil, brake fluid, petrol could damage the paint of the work, especially if you leave it unattended for a while.
This could happen when you are refilling your car, and fuel drops on the car. It would evaporate immediately but it will leave a stain mark on the car.
How can I remove stains from my car?
You might not be responsible for the stains on your car but it is your responsibility to remove the stains. There are different ways to which you can remove stains from your car, depending on the type of stain and the duration. Here is a list of what you can do to remove stains from your car.
Regular washing
Washing the car regularly will not only make the car attractive, but it will also remove stains such as fingerprint stains from the car. Do not leave the car unwashed, especially during winter and autumn. In addition, washing the car regularly will prevent the car from dust stains.
Polish
Removing car fluid stain from the car might not be easy but a quality car polish could do the work nicely. Wash the particular spot thoroughly and use a microfiber cloth to dry it. You can then apply car polish on the spot if the stain persists.
Clay bay treatment
You will need automotive soap and automotive-grade clay to do this. All you need to do is thoroughly wash the car, then dry with a neat microfiber cloth or leave it to air dry.
You will then apply the automotive-grade clay evenly on all the exterior of the car. This will not only remove the stain but will also enhance the paint.
Paint correction
This could be hectic, especially if you have not done it before. If the methods highlighted above aren’t working, this would work but you might not be able to do this yourself. It will give the car a new face. You should seek the help of a professional if you intend to do this.
How can I prevent my car from getting stained?
Removing stains from the car most times is always hectic. You will spend money and invest time in it. It is always better when you prevent the car from staining. Here is a list of what you can do to prevent your car from being stained.
- Car cover: This is one of the cheapest ways to prevent your car from being stained. All it requires is to buy a water-resistant car cover, then use it to cover your car. It will prevent dust, fingerprint, and birds’ dropping.
- Park under a shade: Excessive sunlight increase the acidic rate of birds’ dropping and water stain. You can construct a garage where you will park the car.
Is Nail Polish Remover Safe To Use On Car Paint – Conclusion
Using a nail polish remover to remove stains from the car is not a good practice. It could damage the paint, the coat, and leave a permanent mark on the spot. If you want to remove stains from your car paint, you can try the methods highlighted in this guide.