Inspection & Repair:

Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of visible stains on the paint surface which resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by washing procedures.


Also, because acid rain can "etch" and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted as this can result in visible depressions in the paint surface. In those cases where acid rain damage is Minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint "finessing" product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products such as described in this publication should be used for that purpose.


Moderate damage will usually require neutralizing, color-sanding, as well as buffing. Severe damage extending to a depth greater than 1/2 mil of the clearcoat on a pearl or metallic color, or 1 mil on a solid color, will require neutralization, sanding and repainting.

Unfortunately, for other than Minor acid rain damage (requiring only a buffing-type repair procedure), there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions and then measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type Film Thickness Gauge.


The following repair instructions are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel.