Protect Your Paint from Raleigh Metro Area Highway Construction

Wake and Johnston county residents are all too familiar with ongoing highway construction. The 540 outer loop, which will go around the greater Raleigh area to connect the cities of Apex and Knightdale has had huge impacts on commuters — and their vehicles.

For automotive enthusiasts, road work doesn’t just mean a trip to the automatic car wash. Construction sites are huge contributors to paint damage that can only be avoided through preventative maintenance. If your daily drive takes you through planned 540 construction, make sure your paint job is ready.

How the Construction in Wake & Johnston Counties Harms Your Paint Job

Traffic pattern changes and slowdowns are annoying, but the byproducts of highway construction can wreak havoc on the body of your vehicle. If your daily drive passes through ongoing roadwork, don’t leave yourself vulnerable to these common hazards:

Debris and Loose Objects

Heavy construction materials are going to leave a mark if they come into contact with your car’s paint. 

Even the most well-managed construction sites will create potentially damaging highway debris, especially in the form of loose gravel used for grating. Cars traveling at high speeds can fling small rocks, leading to chips and dings for others on the road.  

Construction Dust

Large-scale projects can sometimes stir up enough dust to cover the surrounding community, so no wonder that a commute through a construction zone leaves your car filthy.

Unfortunately, the remedy isn’t as simple as a quick wash. This gritty layer of dirt is full of abrasive particles that will leave scratches and swirl marks if scrubbed into your paint job. Improper washing techniques and unprotected paint can turn an inconvenient mess into damage that requires paint correction. 

Tar and Asphalt

Paving is an unavoidable part of highway construction, but a serious concern for drivers worried about the resale value of their vehicles.

Road tar is terrible for paint, particularly after it’s been allowed to dry. Home remedies suggest removal with everything from specialty products to peanut butter, but one thing is clear: a botched removal can do serious harm to your car’s exterior.

Guard Your Paint with PPF and Ceramic Coating

When faced with planned highway construction, prevention is your best defense. 

Paint protection film, or PPF is an ultrathin, invisible polymer sheet that is cut to precisely fit the most vulnerable panels of your vehicle or your whole car. The film is designed to absorb scratches and impacts from debris to reform to a perfectly smooth surface when you park in the sun or wash your vehicle with warm water. 

Ceramic coating is crystal-clear nanoglass that can be applied directly to your car’s paint or layered over PPF. The ceramic creates a hydrophobic surface that mimics that of a nonstick pan, helping tar and other nuisances like tree sap and bird droppings wipe away easily.  

Whether they are used separately or together, investing in paint protection helps drivers breathe easy knowing that small, unavoidable highway incidents won’t cause permanent damage. 

Paint Protection for Construction Zones in Garner, Apex, and Beyond

Want to navigate construction zones (and everywhere else life takes you) with confidence? ATD’s paint protection options can be customized to suit your daily driving needs. Reach out to our team of automotive detailing specialists and keep your vehicle looking great no matter what the DOT throws at you.