Few “innocent” pranks are as damaging to cars as having someone “egg” them. In as little as two hours, eggs can permanently ruin a car’s finish. Egg will eat through finish coats and etch into paint if not removed quickly and properly. So what are the top ways to clean egg off of a car, ASAP!
Why Eggs Do So Much Damage
Why, because of the sulfur in the egg yolk and the egg whites (sulfur is one of two amino acids found in eggs) and the possible damage caused by the eggshell fragments. It takes no time at all for the sulfur to eat into your car’s finish. Attempting to wipe away any eggshell fragments can cause the sharp little edges to scratch your car’s paint or the clear coat finish.
Before the Egg Has Dried
If you are lucky, or actually driving in the car when the “incident” happens, head to the nearest car wash. Spray the egged area with the car wash pressure hose to remove as much egg as possible. Use a wash mitt or soft microfiber towel to hand-wash the area. If any eggshell is present, try to gently pick the shell pieces off by hand first. Wiping at the shell pieces can cause microscopic scratches very easily. Rinse the area thoroughly and dry the car with a clean microfiber towel.
The Sauna Method
If you don’t discover the egging until after it dries, hand washing your car might not be enough. Start by boiling a pot of water. Place a rag into the hot water and then wring it out and place the rag over the egg for about 30 seconds. This should loosen the egg. If not, repeat the process for 30-60 seconds longer. Finish by adding a small amount of car wash solution to the hot water, mix until suds form, then wet-wipe the area, followed by drying with a microfiber towel.
Steam Cleaning
If you have access to a home steamer you can use it to apply steam to the egg and then wipe the affected area with a microfiber towel.
Distilled White Vinegar
Place a microfiber towel in a pan and pour distilled white vinegar (>>> Find on Amazon) on the towel. Use the wetted towel to scrub the egg stain. Remember to gently pick any eggshell off first before beginning to scrub. Finish by wiping the area with a clean, damp microfiber towel.
WD-40
WD-40 will act as a solvent to detach stuck-on egg. It won’t harm the paint, it has no adhesive properties, and it won’t eat through car wax or other protective coatings. Apply the WD-40 directly to the egg and also to a towel. Hold the towel on the egg. Allow about 30 seconds for the WD-40 to work, then wipe the area clean with a damp towel. If necessary, repeat until the egg is completely removed. >>> Find WD-40 Pricing on Amazon
Magic Erasers
This should never be your first choice because a magic eraser can leave fine scratches in the finish. But it is made of a melamine polymer that will act as fine sand paper to remove stubborn, old, dried on egg stains. Soak the eraser in water and then use it on the stain. Be gentle! Wipe the area with a clean microfiber cloth. You may end up having to buff the finish once the egg is removed. >>> Find Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pricing on Amazon
Bring Out the Buffer
If all else fails it’s time for drastic action, buffing. Use a wet (very wet) piece of sand paper to gently sand the egg stain. Attach a wool buff pad to your buffer, place a small dot of buffing compound on the pad, and buff away any visible signs of egg. To finish, use a polishing mitt to go over any swirl marks that have been created.
Conclusion
The faster you remove egg from your car the better. These methods will allow you to remove any egg stains before they can do further damage to your car’s finish. If you would like to view some of the better YouTube videos about removing egg stains, here are three of the better ones: