Close the blinds, bar the doors and huddle together for safety. It’s Halloween: the night for ghouls and ghosts to run free -- not to mention hooligans who’ll see your brand new Lexus G35 as the ultimate target for their “tricks." A few eggs, some toilet paper and maybe a few cans of shaving cream are all the ingredients required for a good old-fashioned car trashing.
I’ll give you a moment to shudder at the thought of such vandalism, but it’s time to realize that you’re not safe from such ghoulish injustices and that you should use your own childhood memories of mischief to your advantage to prepare for the inevitable.
In case your memories are a little foggy (from all the sugar highs that night), use the tips below to help save your car from permanent damage.
eggs
What to expect in the morning
It’s a morning not unlike any other. You shower, dress and get ready for work -- then you step outside to the horror of all horrors: your baby smattered with eggs from nose to tail. Scrambled immediately comes to mind and the whiff of cooked eggs may make you nauseous for years to come… but don’t panic. Walk back inside, pick up the phone and call work -- you’ll need a day off for this one.As harmless as eggs seem, they can actually wreak havoc on vehicle paint surfaces and cause long-lasting, permanent damage. The yolk that’s now smeared all over your car has to break free somehow, and the impact of the egg hitting your car causes shell fragments to burst over the surface in sequential rings, which cause scratches. Depending on the proximity of the pitcher, these scratches could be buffable or they could pierce the top coat, and sometimes even chip away paint to reveal the metal body beneath. Not only are the shells a danger, but the actual yolk and egg white are extremely corrosive to paint surfaces, and can actually eat into the car’s surface if left on too long.
How to deal with it
Unfortunately, with eggs, if you snooze, you lose… a layer of paint, that is. If not removed immediately, an egg will cause permanent damage to any and all paints, no matter how well-waxed and/or maintained the vehicle is. So, if you’re waking up to a sunny-side-up quarter panel, the damage will have already been done. What you need to do is clean the surface as much as possible with water.Use the pressure from a hose to clear off the dried egg so that you don't rub miniscule bits of eggshell around the surface (which would cause more scratches than you already have to deal with). Once you’ve cleared the surface, take a closer look at the area. If the paint has been etched away -- the surface will feel rough -- then a respray is necessary; otherwise, you’ll be left with a permanent scar. Often, the egg will cause the paint to look foggy or faded, which can also only be corrected by repainting the car.
However, if the egg shells caused no damage and you got to the egg in time, an overall wash, clay bar and wax may do the trick to mask the nasty prank. Also, the color of your car will help; lighter shades -- such as silver, white and beige -- won’t show as much scarring as black, blue or dark green.
Recommended products
For something like an egg beating, you need to look for cleaning products that are made to tackle harmful substances, yet are still easy enough that the average consumer -- not a detailing expert -- can use them. One such product line is the Clay Magic Detailing Kit (approximately $14.99). There’s some advantage to using the original six-patented clay bar to really give your car that showroom finish, as well as to repair any damages caused by flying eggs and other projectiles.Another good option might be to look at swirl-removing products. Although these products are usually geared toward removing damage caused by abrasive materials (such as a wool pad), they could possibly take out some of the markings left by the egg. Look to products such as Auto Magic XP Swirl Remover (approximately $24 for 1 gallon).
shaving cream
What to expect in the morning
First thing in the morning, you step outside to find the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters sitting in your driveway. Upon closer inspection, you quickly realize that it’s actually your car covered in shaving cream. And not just fluffy, bubbly, just-sprayed-on shaving cream -- we’re talking solid, caked-on, been-sitting-there-all-night-fermenting-on-your-paint-surface shaving cream.Gillette commercials may never look the same again, but don’t panic: The shaving cream hasn’t permanently formed a shell around your car. However, shaving cream does contain chemicals, meaning that different brands may cause discoloration to your paint surface and could even eat away at the clear coat in a worst-case scenario. Although shaving cream can be corrosive if left on long enough -- we’re talking days at a time -- if you deal with the situation at hand immediately and use the correct products, you can quickly melt the foamy mess away and have your car back to its lustrous self.
How to deal with it
The first thing that must be addressed with shaving cream is wetting the substance so it can be rinsed off without scraping at it. Don’t approach your car like a scab that needs to be picked -- it will only promote more damage to the surface, and you could possibly be causing more harm than good. So, just as before, wash the car thoroughly with water, using the water pressure to clear the surface as much as possible.Once the surface is no longer caked with shaving cream, a gentle all-in-one wash should clear the paint of any residual shaving cream. When doing so, always use a soft-wash mitt or microfiber towel, and make sure you keep the surface wet while washing, just in case there is left-over hardened shaving cream you missed with the first shower.
Recommended products
For this situation, an all-in-one cleaner is your best bet. As there are no hard bits, you don’t have to worry about the paint being chipped from the attack. However, you do want to make sure you remove all traces of the cream because it is a chemical substance with perfumes, dyes and other ingredients that are not meant to be on your car’s surface.Using a product like Klasse All-In-One (approximately $24.95 for 16.09 oz) allows you to do it all in one step, which is perfect for a prework wash when time is of the essence. All-in-ones clean, polish and protect with just one application. And while it is beneficial to wax your car, if you just don’t have the time, these cleaners are definitely the solution.
mini-pumpkins
What to expect in the morning
After a night of strange dreams involving you dodging small grenades in the middle of a war, you’re up and out the door on your way to work only to be greeted by the unthinkable: Those small grenades you thought you’d only dreamed up have become reality and were aimed right at your car. Thankfully, they weren’t of the army brand, but of the vegetable kind: mini-pumpkins.Upon closer inspection, not only have the pumpkins’ flesh and juice dried on your car, but there’s also a good possibility that they have also caused denting to your vehicle. Although pumpkins are known to explode upon impact, that impact has to be quite strong and not all side panels are made to handle such a tough blow.
How to deal with it
Besides the hard outer shell, a pumpkin's flesh is not that harmful unless it is left on for days. As long as you clean the car immediately, you should be clear of all damages. Even though there are seeds in a pumpkin, they are rather soft and surrounded by enough moisture and flesh to not damage the paint. Again, a good water cleansing is the key to getting the main mess off -- that is, water pressure to remove the larger chunks and a soft-wash mitt to gently remove more stubborn bits.The main issue with mini-pumpkins is their tendency to dent what they hit. As they are large projectiles that need strength to break, they will hit the surface of your car with a great deal of force. While some side panels, such as that of Saturn models, are made to bend and take impacts without denting, not all cars are equipped with such advanced designs. If that is the case for you, no amount of waxing, polishing and/or buffing will solve the pumpkin damage -- you must head to the garage to get the dent pushed out.
Recommended products
A good choice for a pumpkin attack is a cleaner that will restore your paint and bring out the shine of your car. A general clean with a high-quality soap, followed by a product like Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion (approximately $19.99), is great for dealing with minor surface abrasions that could be caused by the outer shell of the pumpkin. The application is quick and simple: Wipe on, allow a haze to form and buff out. Surface imperfections will be cleared away, the paint’s surface will take on a liquid texture and the pumpkin will be no more.wet toilet-paper balls
What to expect in the morning
Heading out the door with a bounce in your step -- thanks to a leftover buzz from the previous night’s sugar high -- you’re stopped dead in your tracks by what look like white boils all over your car. Could it be? A vehicular version of the chicken pox? Measles? Mumps? Is it contagious? No need to run for a face mask; your car has been bombarded with wet toilet-paper balls that have dried and formed 3-D lumps all over your car's surface.Thankfully, toilet paper is by far the least abrasive and harmful projectile that can hit your car. Not only is the toilet paper soft (even when wet), it’s also free of any chemicals or products that could corrode your paint. The only issue that arises with dried toilet paper is getting every last fleck off; hardened toilet paper can be quite a pain, and wet toilet paper breaks and spreads so easily.
How to deal with it
First and foremost, you need to wet the toilet paper to remove it from the surface. Do not try to knock the little lumps off or pick at them in any way. Again, you don’t want to be the one responsible for damaging your own paint, so let the water do the work. High-pressure water should clear most of the toilet paper off the car, but be warned: Bits of paper may break off and spread elsewhere on the car, where they could harden and cause surface damage in the future.As there is no immediate concern with wet toilet paper, an overall cleaning is not necessary right away. A simple rinse and quick soaping will get your car looking like new in no time.
Recommended products
Because toilet paper is such a gentle attacker, there really isn’t a need to go all-out with cleaning products. A product such as Optimum Car Wash (approximately $11.99) will clean your car of all grime and dirt, hopefully trapping all stray toilet-paper bits in its foam and leaving your car with a smooth, clean surface. If the toilet paper attack has you concerned, you can move on to stronger, longer processes using products such as ClearKote Carnauba Wax (approximately $17.99), which can be manually applied or used with a product such as the Porter Cable Polisher (approximately $189.95).silly string
What to expect in the morning
As if waking up to the daily grind wasn’t hard enough, you wake up to face your pride and joy encased in a web of pink and green silly string. What's worse is that the string has even hardened into the cement of your driveway, essentially connecting your car to the ground. It looks like a pretty bleak situation, but it’s actually not as bad as it seems.Although silly string, like shaving cream, tends to harden quickly and form a tough shell, the substance itself is not that harmful. Remember: Refrain from removing the string with your bare hands out of anger. Instead, take a deep breath and grab the hose.
How to deal with it
As with any other Halloween prank pulled on your car, water really is the best solution. Make sure you have a good drainage system in your driveway to clear away the silly string that may come off in large chunks (no need to deal with the problem of a clogged drain while trying to preserve your car’s good looks). Once again, use the water’s pressure to remove the majority of silly string from the surface. This should work, unless string has become lodged inside door frames or side mirrors. In this case, breaking out finer tools, such as cotton swabs, could come in handy. Always use tools that have a smooth, soft surface. Toothpicks and fingernails are a big no-no. Remember: If it can scratch the paint on its own, don’t use it to remove substances from the surface.Once the silly string has been rinsed away as thoroughly as possible, you may want to take a closer look. Due to the dye in the string, it is possible that lighter-colored cars may be stained. As in the case of the egg, such damages may be irreversible without a repaint. However, there are products that may help lift the foggy residue and discoloration.
Recommended products
Once you’ve washed your car with a general car-cleaning soap, it is recommended to aim for products geared at removing stubborn contamination (such as silly string). Use a product such as Meguiar’s Professional Clay Bar (approximately $24.99), which is ideal for handling contaminated paint surfaces. Begin the process with a product such as Pinnacle Clay Lubricant (approximately $9.99), which lubricates the car's surface and makes it easier for the clay bar to spread. This process will take some time and is not recommended before your daily commute. However, if the string did leave a nasty residue, it’s best to deal with the situation immediately in order to prevent long-term damage.clean car, clean mind
Unless you wish to become that crazy old man who sits on his front porch, shotgun in hand, protecting your daily driver, there are options for preventing a Halloween attack on your car. Of course, there’s the obvious: Park it in the garage. Other options include a car cover or a car alarm that will detect movement around your vehicle. While both of these require an initial cost, the end result of a safe, clean car is worth the money.Resources:
http://www.properautocare.com/
http://www.pinnaclewax.com/
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/
http://www.autogeek.net/
http://www.eshine.ca/
http://www.autopia.org/
http://www.finishing.com/
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