Egg's Effect on Car Paint

The prank of egging cars has been around almost since cars were first invented. Many people recall fond childhood memories of soaping windows, tp-ing trees and egging cars during Halloweens of the past. Unfortunately, egging cars is legally an act of vandalism and can result in jail time for the perpetrator, depending on how much damage has been done to the victim's property. If you're the unfortunate victim of a drive-by egging, here's what you can do to avoid an expensive paint job.

Composition of an Egg

An eggshell is mostly made up of calcium carbonate, but also contains magnesium carbonate, calcium phosphate and protein, as well as small amounts of other organic substances. The yolk contains all of the egg's fat, zinc and vitamins A, D and E. Most of the egg's phosphorous, manganese, iron, iodine, copper and calcium content are also present in the yolk, while the white contains most of the niacin and riboflavin.

What This Means to Your Car's Paint

The shell can scratch the paint, and, in some cases, it can go all the way to the bare metal. The inside of the egg will bond to the surface of the car if left to sit for too long. The method you use to "unbond" the egg can either save your paint or result in an expensive repair.

What To Do

First, remove the shell pieces by hand to avoid further scratching. Then hose off the car with plain water. If the egg has "fried" onto your car's surface and will not come off with plain water, it is time to move on to phase two. Mix equal portions of household ammonia and white vinegar, soak a soft cloth (like a washcloth) with the mixture and hold it against the egg until it begins to soften. Gently pick at the egg with a fingernail. The commercial product "Goo Gone" or a bug and tar remover may be used instead of the vinegar and ammonia mixture, but again, you must keep the egg soaked with whatever you are using---and be patient. The only thing you will accomplish by rushing the removal process is damage to your paint job.

Results

Your car's paint should show no trace of the egging. However, if white spots remain on the clear coat, use more vinegar and scrub with a washcloth. You may also be able to buff out any residual staining and light shell scratches when you wax your car.

Misconceptions

Many people believe the egg itself has corrosive properties that will damage a car's paint. However, the only things that can damage the paint are the shell, which can scratch it, and the removal process. If you take the time to properly remove eggs from your car, any damage should be minimal.

References

• Eggs and Car Paint
• Egg Facts
• Auto Finishing