10/06/2026
With all this extreme SoCal heat we have been enduring, I wanted to post this information about automotive paint care.
This type of damage happens to all automotive paint and surfaces when neglected.
*PARKING UNDER A TREE WILL COST YOU MORE THAN A CAR WASH.*
This 2017 Mustang came in and most people would think it's just dirty. It's not.
Look close at the trunk/decklid and spoiler. That heavy white speckling is extensive staining from wet leaves, tree sap, and honeydew.
Here's the damage breakdown:
*Leaf Tannins:* When wet leaves sit on paint, the tannic acid leaches out and leaves brown/black ghost stains that soak into the clear coat.
*Sap & Honeydew:* That sticky honeydew from aphids + tree sap bakes in the sun, hardens, and then ETCHES right through the clear. Once it etches, no wash will remove it.
On black paint, every single spot shows. Leave it much longer and you're looking at wet sanding or respray.
*Pro tip:* If you have to park under a tree, rinse the car the same day. Never let wet leaves sit overnight.
This Mustang is getting a full chemical decontamination, clay treatment, and multi-stage paint correction to level out the etching and bring the black back to a mirror.
Have you dealt with tree sap damage like this before?
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