Acid rain's effect on a car - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Woody182 · 03-17-2004, 02:29 PM

I found a new 2004 Subaru WRX w/ a sticker price of 26k marked down to 20k because it endured acid rain while being stored at a factory in New Jersey.
The car has all warranties as if it were a new car (which it is) except for the paint.
Does anyone know acid rain's effect on a car?

Thanks in advance

Cynthetiq · 03-17-2004, 03:29 PM

same thing as hail stones usually strickly cosmetic

CrazySaturn · 03-17-2004, 03:51 PM

Have you looked at it? Depending, it could need a new paint job, or just a good wax. Acid rain isn't that bad, most people have been acid rained on at one time and don't even know.

shakran · 03-17-2004, 03:57 PM

it typically can cause pits in the clearcoat. Sometimes you can feel them - it will feel rough as you run your hand over it. Some TLC can usually restore it - just use a polishing wax and detailing clay. For a big job you may wish to have the pros do it. They won't charge any 6 thousand bucks for it so you'll still come out ahead.

Moonduck · 03-17-2004, 04:44 PM

Well, the usual result is that your car looks like you let water dry on it. You know those sort of chalky spots on the paint when it dries? Like that, except permanent as it is etched into your clearcoat.

Polishing wax, detailing clay, and a VERY CAREFUL buffing might help. Worst case scenario is a re-clear on the car. As a total all over paint job will cost you well less than $6k ($4k here locally for a really nice, but not show-winning, job), a re-clear wouldn't be that much.

The shop I write for does acid rain stuff with some regularity. Usually you see the upper surfaces of the car affected. Very easy to deal with normally.

Woody182 · 03-17-2004, 05:09 PM

I was looking to buy a used and spend about 15-18k more towards the low end. But this new car for 20k sounded too good to pass up. That's why I thought I'd research it a bit.
I'm probably going to take a look at it this weekend.
Thanks a bunch

MSD · 03-17-2004, 08:50 PM

I'd definitely buy it, altough acid rain in NJ is probably five times as bad as the rest of the country

You'll end up wiht a chalky clearcoat and have to do a bunch of buffing and waxing to get it back to new, but you saved 6k on the car, it's worth it.

Scorps · 03-18-2004, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSelfDestruct
I'd definitely buy it, altough acid rain in NJ is probably five times as bad as the rest of the country

You'll end up wiht a chalky clearcoat and have to do a bunch of buffing and waxing to get it back to new, but you saved 6k on the car, it's worth it.

Saved 6K and wax is cheap.

03-17-2004, 02:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woody182 Crazy Location: Near Chicago, IL	Acid rain's effect on a car I found a new 2004 Subaru WRX w/ a sticker price of 26k marked down to 20k because it endured acid rain while being stored at a factory in New Jersey. The car has all warranties as if it were a new car (which it is) except for the paint. Does anyone know acid rain's effect on a car? Thanks in advance __________________ If I fall in love, will you forgive me? If I lose my way, will you choose me? If I change my mind, will you change me? -Smashing Pumpkins

03-17-2004, 03:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	same thing as hail stones usually strickly cosmetic __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

03-17-2004, 03:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
CrazySaturn Insane Location: Champaign, IL	Have you looked at it? Depending, it could need a new paint job, or just a good wax. Acid rain isn't that bad, most people have been acid rained on at one time and don't even know. __________________ What's the difference between you and a mallard with a cold? One's a sick duck...I can't remember how it ends, but your mother is a whore!

03-17-2004, 05:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Woody182 Crazy Location: Near Chicago, IL	I was looking to buy a used and spend about 15-18k more towards the low end. But this new car for 20k sounded too good to pass up. That's why I thought I'd research it a bit. I'm probably going to take a look at it this weekend. Thanks a bunch __________________ If I fall in love, will you forgive me? If I lose my way, will you choose me? If I change my mind, will you change me? -Smashing Pumpkins

03-17-2004, 03:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	it typically can cause pits in the clearcoat. Sometimes you can feel them - it will feel rough as you run your hand over it. Some TLC can usually restore it - just use a polishing wax and detailing clay. For a big job you may wish to have the pros do it. They won't charge any 6 thousand bucks for it so you'll still come out ahead.

03-17-2004, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Well, the usual result is that your car looks like you let water dry on it. You know those sort of chalky spots on the paint when it dries? Like that, except permanent as it is etched into your clearcoat. Polishing wax, detailing clay, and a VERY CAREFUL buffing might help. Worst case scenario is a re-clear on the car. As a total all over paint job will cost you well less than $6k ($4k here locally for a really nice, but not show-winning, job), a re-clear wouldn't be that much. The shop I write for does acid rain stuff with some regularity. Usually you see the upper surfaces of the car affected. Very easy to deal with normally.

03-17-2004, 08:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I'd definitely buy it, altough acid rain in NJ is probably five times as bad as the rest of the country You'll end up wiht a chalky clearcoat and have to do a bunch of buffing and waxing to get it back to new, but you saved 6k on the car, it's worth it.