Deet melts paint!!

[gcyeaw]

Apparently the DEET used in bug spray is known to melt car paint.

I saw an article on Yahoo that apparently bug spray that contains DEET can destroy the clear coat on automotive paint So stand downwind of your coach and car when applying it.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/how-some...334848277.html

[NealinNevada]

Definitely does attack paint/clearcoat/plastic because it is highly effective in removing the haze on plastic headlight lens (then washing with good soap to remove any trace of the stuff). Scary that it is applied to skin while it eats paint...

[Bill Pape]

Originally Posted by gcyeaw

Apparently the DEET used in bug spray is known to melt car paint.

I saw an article on Yahoo that apparently bug spray that contains DEET can destroy the clear coat on automotive paint So stand downwind of your coach and car when applying it.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/how-some...334848277.html

And it may attack your plastic glasses

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by NealinNevada

Definitely does attack paint/clearcoat/plastic because it is highly effective in removing the haze on plastic headlight lens (then washing with good soap to remove any trace of the stuff). Scary that it is applied to skin while it eats paint...

Here is info from the article;

Auto expert and YouTuber who goes by the name of ChrisFix posted a follow up to this video, explaining why using bug spray to restore your headlamps is actually not a clever — or long lasting — idea. The DEET acts as a solvent and effectively dissolves the plastic, and the oils within the spray fill the pores in the headlamp covers, temporarily offering clarity. This effect will soon wear off, however, and in the video, ChrisFix warns of the permanent trouble the solution causes when it gets onto the car’s paint or plastic bumpers.

Randy,

I wonder if the guys down at the car wash know about this?

I have effectively used by hand just Crest regular white toothpaste, or aluminum or chrome polish to remove the haze from headlight covers on friends cars and the Lexan and Plexiglas lens on my light bars for the old work vehicles.

[Randy Dupree]

the guys at the car wash were saying they heard DEET would clear up the lenses,i have never seen them do it,but they may.
They have never done mine,and its a good thing i don't drive at night!

[NealinNevada]

I saw it (DEET) used at a car show and it cleaned up the hazy lens completely...BUT...who knows what they looked like a month later. They did wash the lens with soapy water following the use of DEET and said it was important to do because the DEET attacks the plastic.

My approach is wet sanding to clear up lens...followed by plastic polish.

[Rob Robinson]

I've tried many fixes for headlight lenses and in all cases the lenses returned to a cloudy state over time. Some sooner than others. Recently I polished my toad lenses and then clear coated them with a 2K clear coat in a rattlecan. Time will tell.

[isp2952]

Something else to watch out for is the wasp/hornet spray, that shoots 20 ft. I have no idea what is in it, but it will totally discolor the pain on a garage door. A neighbor used some to get a nest and the area was totally discolored and it looked pretty bad. I had some wasps a couple of weeks ago and was careful of where I sprayed it on my building. But I can see a slight color change to the white paint of the overhang. Don't think it will take the paint off, but will change it.