Can pollen damage my car?

Posted 18 September, 2022 Andrew Clark, RAA Car Advice Manager

Pollen doesn’t just wreak havoc on our noses and eyes; these microscopic, powdery plant seeds can also affect our cars.

That’s due to the acidity found in pollen. If you expose your car to acid for long enough, it can damage your paint – just like bird droppings and tree sap.

But don’t depend on Mother Nature to clean pollen off your car. Why? Pollen isn’t typically acidic until it’s wet.

So, if it rains when this greenish-yellow dust has already settled on your car, it can stain your paint in severe cases.

The longer pollen sits, the more stubborn it becomes to scrub away. Our tip is to inspect your windscreen wipers carefully, as pollen residue can build up here, which can stop the wipers from keeping your windscreen clean.

Pollen contamination can creep up on you, as these tiny specks aren’t always that noticeable, particularly on lighter coloured cars.

So, it might pay to look a little closer and inspect your paintwork.

Lastly, don’t forget to check your car’s cabin pollen filter (if it has been fitted with one). This may need changing more regularly as pollens can be swept into the cabin intake ducts if you regularly park around trees.