ashes on paint - Benzworld.org

**MB-SV** · 06-15-2008, 04:59 PM

Friday evening a cloud of smoke blew over Silicon Valley/San Jose area from a 25000 acre wildland fire many miles south. The next morning these was a bit of ash on cars that were left outdoors overnight. So my ML ended up with some ash on it.

Anybody have an knowledge based on experience if this is harmful to an MB paint finish (with a recent coat of wax)?

bruntoj · 06-15-2008, 05:15 PM

Definitely bad if it gets damp. Look at how leaving old ashes in a charcoal grill accelerates the rust.

CJzBenz · 06-16-2008, 05:19 AM

Probably not as bad as volcanic ash but I don't recommend driving near volcanos anyway. You should probably clean it off and blow out or replace your air filters soon too. Heat, condensation, and cheap metals cause grills to rust out. Hopefully our M-Bs are more corrosion resistant than that.

lkchris · 06-16-2008, 10:04 AM

Same as dirt, i.e. don't rub it off.

Wash car with oodles of water plus a soft brush that "flicks" dirt off rather than polishing it into the paint surface.

Another good reason to have paint protected by wax.

**MB-SV** · 06-19-2008, 07:24 AM

Fortunately I had it hand-waxed about 2 weeks ago. I'll wash it tomorrow. Thanks for the replies.

asianml · 06-19-2008, 08:04 AM

You think claying it would help?

**MB-SV** · 06-19-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianml

You think claying it would help?

I would hope it washes off since the wax is still new. I'll let you know soon.

No problem, hand washed the ML on Saturday and no trace of the ashes was left on the white paint.