Home remedies for oxidized paint are quick fixes when your car is not looking its best. Not all vehicles age gracefully, especially if they do not receive regular car care. If you are too busy to visit the car wash or do it yourself, our mobile car detailing service can make all the difference.

DetailXPerts’ eco auto wash uses green technology powered by steam. Our unique methods are tough on dirt but super gentle on your paintwork, helping to restore its original gloss and shine.   Discover more when you download our Eco Car Wash Benefit Guide.

But what if your paintwork has already started to fade or looks chalky? This is oxidization. It is a natural process when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays react with the clear coat on the paint. Then, the color pigments in the paint break down, causing car paint damage. Road salt and salt spray from the sea are not great for a car’s exterior either. Oxidation is unsightly but treatable.

Safe and Simple Home Remedies for Oxidized Paint

Wash and dry your car first before attempting to remove oxidation from car paint. Otherwise, you risk rubbing dirt or other particles into your paintwork, possibly causing further damage. It is also a good idea to first test any homemade solutions on a less visible area. Once you’ve done the prep work, try some of these home remedies for oxidized paint.

1. Baking Soda Scrub

Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical compound widely sold as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Not only can you clean your teeth with it, but you can also use it as a natural household cleaning solution to remove stains and odors. Baking soda is one of the safest home remedies for oxidized paint because it acts as a gentle version of sandpaper and has no added chemicals or preservatives. Making a baking soda paste with water and gently rubbing it into the tarnished area should help to remove car paint oxidation. This method is simple:

• Mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass with water to form a thick paste
• Use a soft, clean toothbrush to spread the paste over the oxidized paint
• Then wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth for a glossy finish

After you have treated the oxidation with our home remedies, we can help you look after your car with our Ultimate Eco Wash. This service includes a quality wax treatment to restore shine and act as a sealant to protect the paint.

2. Homemade Sugar Polish as Home Remedies for Oxidized Paint

You do need something stronger than soap and water to remove oxidation. A simple sugar mix can act as a mild abrasive to gently remove microscopic layers of clear coat. Sugar has small, crystalline particles, which makes it a popular beauty hack for exfoliating dry skin. Using a homemade sugar scrub as a DIY polishing compound is a safe and natural way to aid the car paint correction process. The procedure is:

• Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with ½ cup of vegetable oil
• Polish the car surface with the sugar scrub to remove light-to-moderate oxidation
• Rinse to finish

Try to work with microfiber polishing towels or a lint-free cloth when using your home remedies for oxidized paint to achieve optimum results. For more tips, read our mobile detailing secrets from the professionals.

3. Chalk Dust and Water

You can feel the rough texture of oxidization when you run your hand over your car paintwork. A traditional rubbing or cutting compound uses abrasives to remove the thin, damaged top coat of paint to reveal the fresher paint underneath. If you do want to experiment with home remedies for oxidized paint, make your own mild rubbing compound with a chalk paste to revive dull or marked paint as follows:

• Mix a half cup of chalk dust with water to form a paste
• Gently rub the paste into the problem area to remove the oxidized paint
• Rinse with clean water and leave to dry

Chalk powder is cheap to buy and non-toxic. Use a microfiber polishing towel to wipe away any chalky residue to reveal a smooth finish. Once you have “polished” and spruced up paintwork with your chalk paste, remember to add a protective layer with wax or paint sealant.

4. Organic Hair Conditioner

Be mindful of which soap you use to wash your car. Chemical-heavy solutions can strip the oil from the paint and exacerbate the problem of damaged paintwork. You can find home remedies for oxidized paint in the bathroom cabinet. For example, use an organic hair conditioner to gently revive dull and faded paintwork in the same way it brings glossy shine to hair. The procedure is:

• Mix 4 cups of water with 1 cup of hair conditioner
• Gently rub the mixture into the affected paintwork
• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water
• Dry and buff with a soft microfiber cloth to restore shine

Do check the label on the bottle to make sure the conditioner is free from harsh chemicals and fragrances. If you are unsure which conditioner to use, look out for eco-friendly plant-based products that won’t harm your car or the environment.

If you want the whole green experience for your car, DetailXPerts provides eco-friendly mobile detailing. You can schedule an appointment to have the exterior and interior of your vehicle cleaned and sanitized with steam. The science behind steam cleaning vehicles enables us to give you a high-quality service while saving water.

5. Home Remedies for Oxidized Paint with Whitening Toothpaste

Home remedies for car paint damage include whitening toothpaste when you want to get rid of paint imperfections. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives to remove stains on teeth. These can also effectively tackle surface oxidation that hasn’t yet penetrated the clear coat. Rubbing toothpaste onto the problem areas on the paintwork may help to even out its appearance in a few simple steps:

• Wash the car first with soapy water to remove dust and dirt
• Squeeze a generous amount of toothpaste onto a clean microfiber cloth
• Gently rub the toothpaste into the paint oxidation in small circular motions
• Take a clean cloth and wipe the area to wash the toothpaste away

You should see results within seconds with these home remedies for oxidized paint. Do not rub for too long with a DIY scrub or polish. Otherwise, you risk further damage to the paintwork. If the oxidation needs more than toothpaste, why not inquire about our eco steam detailing specialties? Our technicians can restore the original shine on the outside of your vehicle.

Conclusion

To sum up, home remedies for oxidized paint are suitable for light oxidation. However, it is best to take preventative steps to help maintain your car’s appearance. For example, parking in a garage or using a car cover will protect it from the sun’s strong UV rays.

Regular polishing and waxing also helps to preserve paintwork. However, wear and tear are inevitable over time. If you are unsure about trying home remedies, set up an appointment with DetailXPerts to have your car professionally detailed.

Download our Eco Car Wash Benefit Guide. It explains what makes DetailXPerts stand out in the car wash world and how to save with monthly deals.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in July 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.