If your car’s paint looks faded, flat or chalky, and washing does not bring the colour back, you are probably looking at oxidation. It is one of the most common paint problems in sunny climates, and Cape Town’s summers give it every chance to develop.
What is paint oxidation?
Car paint is covered with a clear protective layer. Ultraviolet light, heat and oxygen slowly break down the top of that layer. As it breaks down, the surface turns rough and hazy, and light stops reflecting cleanly. The colour underneath has not faded, but it looks as though it has, because the surface in front of it has gone dull.
How to tell if your paint is oxidised
- The paint looks flat, hazy or chalky, even when the car is clean.
- The surface feels slightly rough and dry compared with a protected panel.
- It is worst on the roof, bonnet and boot lid, which get the most sun.
- Dark colours look grey or washed out, and red can turn pinkish.
What causes it
- Sun and UV. The main cause. Cars parked outside year after year are most affected.
- Heat. Hot panels speed up the breakdown of the clear layer.
- Neglect. Dirt, bird droppings and tree sap left on the paint damage the surface.
- Harsh cleaning. Strong chemicals and rough washing wear the protective layer faster.
- Age. Older paint has simply had more exposure.
Why Cape Town cars are at risk
Strong summer sun, long hours of daylight and wind-blown grit are a hard combination for paint. A car that lives on the street, in a parking lot or in an open driveway gets the full dose. A garage or covered parking makes a real difference.
Can oxidised paint be fixed?
Often, yes. Light to moderate oxidation sits in the top of the clear layer, and a machine polish can refine that surface and bring back the gloss and depth. That is exactly what our machine polish does: it removes swirls and oxidation and restores gloss and depth, from R900.
How to slow it down
- Park in a garage or in shade whenever you can.
- Wash the car regularly and gently, using the method in our guide to washing without scratching.
- Remove bird droppings and tree sap quickly, before they bake on.
- Avoid harsh chemicals and rough cloths on the paint.
- Get faded panels treated early. The less the paint has deteriorated, the better the result.
For more on how Cape Town conditions affect a car, see our guide on protecting your car from the sun.
Oxidation versus other paint problems
- Swirl marks: fine circular scratches caused by washing and wiping. See our guide to swirl marks.
- Bird dropping marks: dull or etched spots where droppings sat on the paint.
- Oxidation: a general fading or chalky look over a whole panel, worst on flat surfaces.
What to do first
- Wash the car properly and look at the paint in direct sun, so you can see what is really there.
- Check which panels are worst. Roofs and bonnets usually are.
- Send us photos on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think a polish can achieve.
- Have the paint polished, then keep it clean with a regular snowfall wash.
What polishing will and will not do
- It will remove light to moderate oxidation and swirl marks, and bring back gloss and depth.
- It will make the colour look richer and the reflections sharper.
- It will not rebuild a clear layer that has worn right through.
- It will not remove deep scratches that go through the paint.
That honesty is part of the job. We will tell you what we expect before we start, so there are no surprises.
