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Pollen is one of those things that people in most parts of the county have to deal with. However, beyond allergies, pollen on cars is a massive concern. This is especially the case for people without car ports or other ways to cover their beloved vehicles. Because of this, many wonder if pollen getting on cars causes damage and if it could lead to their car needing a paint repair job from an auto body shop. 

Does pollen getting on cars cause damage?

There are a couple of ways to look at how pollen getting on cars causes an impact. Regarding the short term, having pollen on your car does not cause damage that would require a new paint job from an auto body professional. However, most people agree that, over time, compounds in the pollen could cause your paint to wear away and eventually cause rust. Still, this would typically take months. 

Pollen looks bad on cars
Pollen on a car | ScottNodine via iStock

However, car owners should be aware that pollen on cars requires specific yet simple methods for cleaning. According to Torque Detail, you don’t want to use a dry cloth to clean the pollen as this could make a paint job from an auto body shop necessary. This is because pollen is an abrasive substance, and cleaning it without moisture can damage the paint. Typically, a basic car wash will do the trick. 

Can pollen damage car seats

Pollen getting on cars isn’t the only issue. There are many ways it can get inside the vehicle. This can happen especially for people who keep their windows down or have convertibles. When this happens, pollen can cling to the seats and other upholstery around the vehicle. Naturally, it’s unsightly as it creates yellow stains, but it could make for unpleasant experiences due to allergies. 

As with pollen on the exterior of cars, it doesn’t damage interior components unless left untreated. Even then, it simply becomes more difficult to clean as time passes. Luckily, it’s easy to remove pollen from the interior of a car. In most cases, you only need a damp microfiber cloth to get the job done. Other interior car cleaning solutions should also work. 

So, unless pollen stays on cars for a long time, it doesn’t usually cause damage. However, not taking care of the issue could cause paint to fade and even cause rust. This would cause some to seek paint repair from an auto body shop.