Smoke, ash from wildfires can ruin your car’s paint job. Here’s how to stop it

Smoke produced by wildfires on the West Coast is putting people’s health and property at risk — and that includes your car.

Smoke, soot and falling ash can damage a vehicle’s paint, according to the American Automobile Association.

Ash contains calcium and potassium, which can be corrosive when mixed with water, SFGate reported.

“Ash on the car does not harm your car in the dry state,” said Greg Boes of the National City and Crystal City Car Washes in California, according to KNSD. “But on a dewy night, or when it’s foggy outside, you wake up in the morning and your car is wet. Then it could have potential hazards.”

The obvious way to prevent damage is to park vehicles in covered areas like garages or carports, AAA of Southern California says. If that’s not an option, you can wipe off the ash with a “long-handled car duster” — but only if the ash is dry, according to AAA.

If the ash mixes with dew, you should wash your car thoroughly, using warm water, a microfiber towel and pH balanced car wash soap, AAA says.

You can take it to a professional car wash, but there is no guarantee the soap will be pH balanced, according to the Open Road Auto Group.

“Ash is high in alkalinity so there is no sense in trying to get rid of alkaline with an alkaline car wash,” Open Road says. “A pH balanced car wash soap will do a thorough job without damaging your car’s paint by ensuring that the surface remains at close to a neutral pH of 7.”

You should spray the car starting from the roof and working your way down, according to Open Road and AAA. Dry the car with a “soft, clean towel,” such as one made of microfiber, AAA says.

A good way to preemptively defend your car’s paint is to wax or polish it, according to Open Road. “By applying a high quality carnauba wax or a synthetic polymer polish on your car’s surface once every few months (or roughly at the start of each season), not only will your car look shinier, but the paint will also have an extra layer of protection against the elements.”