Dirty cars are a common sight on our roads at this time of year and this is something that can cause potential headaches to body repairers.

Salt residue in particular can be a major problem and is not always easy to spot. Paint manufacturer Spies Hecker has issued a timely tip for Bodyshops to avoid paint problems caused by salt.

Daniel Hartland, Spies Hecker brand marketing coordinator for UK and Ireland, recommends that to remove any remains of de-icing salt on the paintwork, vehicles should be cleaned thoroughly before repair. He adds, “After cleaning with a conventional silicone remover, surfaces should be treated wherever possible with a water-based silicone remover, as salt will only dissolve in water. If conventional silicone removers are exclusively used for cleaning, they may leave salt residues that can cause paint defects.”