How to Protect Your Car on Halloween

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Halloween tricks usually start before the holiday, and your car may be the target.

Every October, goblins, ghouls, and pranksters prowl the night and “trick” car owners by hitting their vehicles with eggs, Silly String, smashed pumpkins, and more. If these items are left on car paint too long, that nasty mess can cause permanent stains that not only are ugly but also can lower your vehicle’s resale value.

Specifically, egg whites, pumpkin guts, bird droppings, bug splatter, and other substances contain acids that can eat into your car’s finish, says Jim Policare, body-shop director at Vinart Collision Center in Allentown, Pa.