What is ash fallout on a car?
Grey powdery ash on the flat panels after a bushfire, often with no fire in sight, because ash travels a long way. Bushfire ash contains minerals like calcium and potassium. Dry, it is fairly harmless. Wet from dew or rain, it becomes corrosive and can etch the clear coat. It also scratches if it is wiped dry.
What kind of repair does it need?
A decontamination wash, by a detailer or carefully yourself. Hose it first and let the water carry the ash off before any cloth touches the car. Then wash it normally with a car shampoo. If it has been rained on and left, it may have etched, and that needs a machine polish.
The deposit comes off with a chemical. That is most of the job. Any mark it leaves is polished off afterwards. Nothing is repainted.
What to do next
Do not brush or wipe it off dry. Ash under a dry cloth acts like fine sandpaper. Always hose first. In a bad fire season it will come back each time the wind changes, so keep doing it this way.
Sources
- AAA Southern California (Auto Club)motoring club
Motorists may have to repeat washings to keep ash from collecting on the vehicle and scratching and damaging the paint…
- Kelley Blue Bookmedia
Wildfire ash can travel for miles and settle on vehicles far from the fire line.
- PPG GBpaint maker
Dewax the affected area, flat lightly, compound and polish, repeating if necessary
- OCD Car Careproduct seller
The most common way to remove topical bonded contamination is with a clay bar or a synthetic clay substitute.
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