What does pollen do to car paint?
A yellow or green dusty film, heaviest on flat panels, over a few days in spring. Pollen is acidic. Once dew or rain wets it, it can etch the clear coat. Dry pollen wiped with a cloth also scratches.
What kind of repair does it need?
A proper wash while it is still loose. That is the whole job if you get to it early. If it has been wet and dried a few times and left marks, those are polished out. A mark deeper than the clear coat can give is painted.
Caught in reasonable time, the deposit comes off with the right chemical and that is the whole job. Left long enough, it marks the clear coat. Light marks polish out. Deep ones do not, and the panel is painted.
What to do next
Wash it, do not wipe it. Do not dust it off with a dry cloth. Rinse first with lots of water to float it off. Get to it within a day or two. Wax or a sealant makes pollen less likely to stick.
Sources
- Chemical Guysproduct seller
Pollen is acidic. If it sits too long, it can eat into the clear coat, etch the glass, and cause swirls and micro-scratches as it bonds or gets brushed away carelessly.
- PPG GBpaint maker
Dewax the affected area, flat lightly, compound and polish, repeating if necessary
- Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint maker
Sand and featheredge damaged areas to remove chips, then refinish
- Standoxpaint maker
Micro/Spot repair or complete refinishing is necessary for true rectification
- 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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