Engine degreasers are used to clean oil, grease, or contaminants from car engines and other automotive parts. Many car owners wonder if it is safe to use degreasers on car paint, as there are myths that degreasers may cause damage to the car parts. The general consensus among car experts is that using a degreaser is safe, but it may remove wax from the surface, making the surface exposed to corrosion.
Is Degreaser Safe for Your Car?
Many engine degreasers are designed to be safe for use on car surfaces which also includes paint. Using a degreaser will most likely not affect the paint of a vehicle. However, some degreasers can strip the wax from its finish, leaving the clear coat and paint unprotected from harsh environmental elements. For this reason, it is important to choose a high-quality product and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to minimize the risk of damage.
How to Use a Degreaser Safely
- Make good choices: Use degreasers that are explicitly labeled as safe for applying to car exteriors. Choose a degreaser with ingredients that will protect your car’s paint.
- Dilution levels: Use the correct dilution level for the product you’re using. Many degreasers are ready to use, but some degreasers may need to be mixed with water. Using a solution that’s too strong could damage your paint.
- Contact time: Follow the recommended contact time for the degreaser. Leaving it on for too long could cause damage. Conversely, not leaving it on long enough may not give it time to work effectively.
- Protecting other surfaces: Take care not to get degreaser on other surfaces that could be damaged, such as rubber or plastic trim. Cover these areas with a protective barrier before applying the degreaser.
- Rinsing thoroughly After applying the degreaser, rinse the area thoroughly with water. Any remaining degreaser could continue to break down grease and oil, potentially causing damage over time. If you accidentally hit the car paint when washing your car with a degreaser, rinse it immediately with water to spread the degreaser and avoid it scratching your car’s paint completely.
- Prevention Protecting nearby painted surfaces before embarking on any degreasing process is advisable. Coat the areas around the engine and any walkways you will be passing through while tackling the dirty job.
What to Do After Using a Degreaser
- Wash it off: If you accidentally dropped the degreaser on your car’s exterior, ensure to remove it without further delay.
- Inspect after removing it: Ensure that the car is dry entirely after wiping off the degreaser’s residue. It’s always better to look out for any possible scratches that might have occurred.
- Wax and polish: Car owners must apply wax and polish after eliminating the signs of degreasers to minimize the damage. If your goal is to remove a greasy stain from your paint, re-wax any area where you apply degreaser.
- Check for damage: Check the area a few days after cleanup to see if there has been any damage that may require a bit of touch-up or another coat of wax.
Conclusion
Although many engine degreasers are safe, by choosing wisely, applying sparingly, and using remedial treatments quickly, you can help keep your car’s finish looking good. I hope the above guide on the use of degreasers on car paint helps you to understand how to use degreasers safely and what to do after you use a degreaser.