Does spraying insecticide on a car affect the paint?
3 Answers
Spraying insecticide on a car does not affect the paint. Cleaning dust from the car body: Before, during, and after using the vehicle, promptly remove dust from the car body to minimize the adsorption of dust by static electricity on the body. Rinse promptly after rain: Rain stains on the car body will gradually shrink, increasing the concentration of acidic substances in the rainwater. If not rinsed with clean water promptly, these stains can damage the topcoat over time. Avoid washing in direct sunlight: Do not wash the car under the scorching sun or at high temperatures to prevent the cleaning agent from drying and leaving marks. When washing the car, wait for the engine to cool down before proceeding.
When I first bought my car, I didn’t know much about car care. Once, I sprayed insecticide in the garage and accidentally got some on the car door. A few days later, I noticed the area had turned slightly white and felt rough to the touch, as if the paint had been corroded. I asked a car wash technician about it, and he explained that the chemicals in the insecticide can dissolve the protective layer of the car paint, especially damaging the clear coat. Over time, this can lead to loss of gloss and even cause bubbling or cracking. Now I’ve learned my lesson—I always cover the car with a car cover before spraying insecticide. If any does get on the paint, I immediately rinse it with water for ten minutes and then thoroughly wash it with a neutral car shampoo. My advice is to avoid letting insecticide come into contact with your car’s paint whenever possible. If it’s unavoidable, make sure to address it promptly.
I work in chemical testing, and insecticides typically contain organic solvents and alkaline components. When these substances come into contact with car paint, the solvents penetrate the clear coat, damaging the polymer structure, while the alkaline components corrode the paint surface. Although common pyrethroid insecticides have low toxicity, their solvent carriers, such as xylene, have strong solubility for car paint. Spraying it on can cause the clear coat to soften and wrinkle within half an hour. The reaction is even faster at higher temperatures. Once corrosion occurs, it can only be addressed by polishing, and in severe cases, repainting is necessary. So, from a chemical composition perspective, insecticides do indeed damage car paint.
