How long can I leave cement on my car before it causes damage?
Most of the damage is done by the time the concrete dries on your car. The initial chemical reaction will do most of the damage to the paintwork while it's drying. The etching may persist slowly for as long as the contaminants such as calcium oxide are still on the car. Each time the car becomes wet, corrosive compounds can become reactivated, causing further damage. See: How does concrete and cement damage cars?
It is also worth noting, that although concrete dries within around 24 hours, it takes 25-28 days to fully harden. The sooner it is removed from the car, the easier, less time-consuming, and less expensive it will generally be.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 31/01/2024 02:32