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Posted by
Kerry Walacavage

Will using vinegar harm car paint?

After having parked my car in a newly constructed airport parking garage, I came back to find something had dripped through a crack in the ceiling of the structure and left considerably thick film on my car. On a glass window surface, I tested soap and water, mineral spirits, two types of latex paint remover (i.e. goof off), and household chlorine bleach. None were effective. But plain white 5% vinegar dissolved the film if I let it soak or scrubbed on it with a cloth.

car window showing places where vinegar was effective at cleaning off a film

My question: is an acid of the strength of vinegar a risk to automotive "paint" (the top layer is probably "clear coat").

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