What is biological growth on car paint?
Green or black growth on a car that has been parked for a long time in damp or shade. It is alive, and it grows first on rubber seals and plastic trim. It can leave a stain after it is removed.
What kind of repair does it need?
Cleaning by a detailer. It is lifted off with water, foam and a soft brush, then what is left is killed with an antimicrobial cleaner and the area is sealed. Expect the paint underneath to look different from the rest of the car.
A chemical dissolves what has stuck to the surface. On gloss paint, a clay bar may lift what is left. Never clay or polish matte paint or a matte wrap. Detailer work, not panel work.
What to do next
If it is growing around door seals or window rubbers, check inside the car for damp. Check the carpets and the boot before you spend on the paint. A car parked long enough to grow something has often also faded. Wash it first, then look again before deciding.
Sources
- Auto Care HQproduct seller
This is usually algae, but can also be mould.
- PPG / Mercedes-Benzpaint maker
No possibilities exist to polish out dirt or imperfections in the finished clear, as this…
- BMWBlogmedia
Do not use mechanical means of cleaning the surface.
- 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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