My GF and I just installed a Honda front end cover on her black 06 Accord (after the proper wash and wax, of course) and the instructions warned of potential clouding if the cover gets wet and is left to dry on the car. I realize that ideally you would remove the cover for proper cleaning and drying but this isn't always an option i.e. driving to work. Has anyone here ever actually experienced this, or is Honda just covering their ass? If clouding has occurred, under what conditions (left to dry in the sun, in the garage overnight, etc?). Thanks for any help on this, I figure if anyone were to know, it will be the good folks here in W&W.

 

My last car was an Audi TT. Due to my long highway commute at the time and the flat nose of the car I greatly feared rock chips. Also, I live in a climate with snowey winters and therefore the roads (especially highways) are treated regularly with sand to prevent ice. So, I bought a car bra to cover the front end and prevent chips.

About halfway through the winter I decided to take it off to clean the front of the car and the bra. To my horror I found two things . . .

1. Sand had accumulated behind the bra and had been rubbing against the paint as the bra moves slightly during driving. This caused a lot of light scratching.

2. The bra as it is made of a non-breathable material (vinyl) had trapped moisture between the paint and the bra. This moisture had then seeped into the paint giving it a cloudy look.

Luckily, I hadn't had the bra on too long. So, the scratching was light & easily polished out. Next, I searched the bra's instructions for a solution to the cloudiness. Here's what I did . . .

1. Remove bra and toss in the garbage.
2. Remove any wax or sealant on the paint (many ways to do this, but I used polish)
3. Use a hair dryer to heat up the paint causing the moisture in the paint to evaporate

Luckily, I was able to correct the problems but you never know if they could have become permanent defects. So, I'm going to tell your GF the same thing I tell my GF . . .

TAKE OFF YOUR BRA NOW!!!

Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

I think this picture sums it up



I bought my civic with a bra on it. It had only been there for 2 years.

 

yup, as mikey suggests, this is a polish solution!

 

Thank-you for the replies, and advice. I guess it will be coming off . . . the car. Safe holiday to all.