Fall is that beautiful time of year when the leaves change from green to delightful shades of yellow, orange, and red. What is not so lovely is when these fallen leaves produce unsightly outline stains on your car. Follow these tips on how to remove those stubborn leaf imprints on your vehicle.

• Remove Leaves From Your Car

This goes without saying, however, it is important to remove the leaves one by one rather than brushing them off. Brushing the leaves off can cause microabrasions in your car’s finish by scraping dust and other dry debris across the surface. These tiny little scrapes allow sap and other chemicals deep into the surface of the finish, causing etching.

• Wash With Liquid Car Wash

Give your car a thorough wash with a trusted brand of liquid car soap. Be sure to dry it with clean towels immediately after washing to remove any dust or grime from the surface of the stains.

• Treat Each Stain

Use a commercial leaf-stain or paint cleaner on each individual leaf stain. It is important to work on the stains one by one for best results. Consult your car dealership or local auto supply shop for recommendations if you are unsure which option to use.

• Apply Cleaner

Apply the cleaner to a soft, dry cloth and work the cleaner into each stain. Rub firmly to remove the stain, but check often to ensure you are not scratching the paint on your vehicle.

• Repeat

Repeat cleaner application to remove stubborn leaf stains.

• Rewash

Rewash your car with liquid car soap and clean water when you are finished applying the cleaner. Make sure to rinse well and dry with clean towels .

• Wax

Apply wax to your vehicle. Pay close attention to the areas where the leaf stains were removed to add a protective coating.

Prevent Leaf Stains On Your Vehicle

Removing the stains that fallen leaves have left behind can be a time consuming hassle. You can avoid this aggravation with a few helpful hints.

• Remove Leaves Quickly

Try to remove leaves as soon as possible. Again, you want to do this by picking them off one by one rather than brushing them off so you do not leave microabrasions that can cause more damage.

• Watch Where You Park

If you can avoid it, don’t park under trees. Not only will this reduce the amount of leaves that collect on your car, it can also reduce exposure to other contaminants such as tree sap and pollen.

• Wash Your Car Often

Regular car washes aren’t just for automobile enthusiasts anymore. Washing your car every two weeks can reduce the amount of damage leaf debris can cause to the clear protective coating on your vehicle.

• Invest In Added Protection

Traditional car wax and synthetic paint sealants offer a temporary solution when fighting against leaf stains. There are now several longer-lasting alternatives available including paint protection film and professional-grade nano ceramic coating. Schedule a time to speak to your local auto body shop to discuss the pros and cons of these options.

Used Auto Glass Replacement

Whether you chip your windshield while fighting with the fallen leaves or just cracked it while driving down the road, Frank’s Auto Glass can help. Frank’s provides quality chip and crack repair as well as full windshield replacement options. At Frank’s Auto Glass, we stand by our work and offer a full 1-year workmanship warranty for every windshield and window repair or replacement.

When you go looking for the best auto glass replacement in the Chicagoland area, you will find us. Give Frank’s Auto Glass a call to schedule an appointment with one of our glass experts today!