How to Remove Artillery Fungus from Car Paint | 7 Effective Methods

It is a common misconception that Artillery Fungus can only grow on wood. While it is true that they are most often found on trees, they also thrive in moist environments like the inside or on the paint surface of your car.

The best way to remove fungus from your car paint is with our unique blend of home-based ingredients and do-it-yourself methods that will scrub away the fungus without damaging your paint. We tested these methods on tens of cars, and we are happy with the results!

If you notice black spots on your car paint, don’t worry! This blog will teach you how to remove them without damaging your vehicle’s finish.

What is Artillery Fungus?

The artillery fungus resembles scaly dirt or black spots, its scientific name is “Artillery Branched Stereum” and it is mostly found growing on logs or dead wood.

Artillery Fungus is defined as a wood-decaying fungus responsible for causing unsightly spots on objects located in its immediate vicinity. These spots are often mistaken for tar spots, scale insects, or insect frass.

It grows slowly and can take up to five years for it to fully develop into a full body.

What Causes Artillery Fungus to Grow on Car Paint

There are various causes that leads to artillery fungus growth on car paint and surface, some of the most common includes:

1. Decaying Wood

Decaying wood offers the most conducive environment for the Artillery fungus to grow.

When you have some decaying wood that’s infested with artillery fungus next to your car park, the fungus may grow rapidly and land on your car.

This is particularly the case if your car garage is cool and moist.

2. Wood Chip Mulch

Wood chip mulch is one of the leading causes of Artillery fungus on your car paint.

If you have this type of mulch near your car, it accelerates the growth of this fungus, especially after a rainy stretch.

When the fungus surfaces, it bursts and shoots small black dots, which land on anything that’s within a 25-foot radius.

3. Infested Houses

If your house is infested with artillery fungus, you can transfer the fungus to your car.

When a homeowner decides to scrape, sand, or remove the fungus mess on the sides of their homes, the spores can fall on your vehicle.

The spores are dormant but alive. So, they will thrive under favorable conditions.

4. Infested Nursery Plants

You can also cause artillery fungus to grow on the car paint by bringing in infested nursery plants in your homestead.

If some spores are stuck under the leaves, they might be moved by wind and land on your car. When the leaves fall on the mulch, the cycle continues.

How to Remove Artillery Fungus from Car Paint

If you’re like most car owners, you take pride in keeping your vehicle looking its best. But if you happen to live in an area where artillery fungus is prevalent, that can be a difficult task.

This pesky fungus can quickly coat your car’s paint with a hard, black film that’s very tough to remove.

Don’t worry though – we’ll show you how to get rid of artillery fungus quickly and easily. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Bug Remover Spray

If the artillery fungus hasn’t been on your car for long, you can use a bug remover sprayer. This procedure is more effective on black spots that are two to three weeks old.

The buy spray formulation breaks up the fungus and allows it to be removed easily. If the fungus has been on the car longer than three weeks, it might be difficult to clean it using this method.

The Adam’s Car Bug Remover will thoroughly and effectively remove and kill the Artillery Fungus, without damaging your paint work.

Its designed to break down and dissolve the fungus growth on contact. Though highly concentrated, its safe enough for clear coat finishes and safe for use on a wide range of Vehicles exterior surfaces.

It also comes with a high quality microfiber to thoroughly clean off the growth from the car surface.

2. Blunt Plastic Hand Scraper

A Plastic Hand Scraper is a handy tool when it comes to removing artillery fungus from your car paint. Though this process is labor-intensive, tedious, and time-consuming, it’s one of the safest ways to remove these spots without damaging your precious car finish.

Hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle and scrape off the growth cautiously. Make sure that you are careful not to dig into the car paint or clear the coat.

You can thereafter wash the car with a car shampoo to clear of any fungus remain.

We recommend the Qualihome Flexible Paint Scrapers as it effectively removes Artillery Fungus and other contaminants from the car paint surface.

Key Features:-

• They are made from sturdy plastic that won’t bend or break under pressure.
• They are firm yet do not cause scratches on the paint surface.
• These lightweight, easy to use and clean.

3. Scrab it Out with Soapy Water

Another safe and effective method of removing artillery fungus from your car paint is by scrubbing it gently with a microfiber towel and hot soapy water.

The hot soapy water will break up the fungus, and the micro-fiber towel will ensure that each spore is disposed of properly.

Once the car is clear of all the black spots, make sure that you get rid of anything that you suspect to be the root cause of the artillery fungus.

For this task, we highly reccomend Mothers California Gold Car Wash Soap.

This is because of its advance formulation, that’s designed to remove all dirt, mold and artillery fungus without damaging the paint work.

4. Cleaning with Vinegar

Cleaning vinegar is a natural way to clean and remove stubborn stains such as grease, grime, dirt, and other debris on surfaces. 

Vinegar consists of acetic acid and has antimicrobial properties; This means Vinegar is a great cleaning agent to remove the artillery fungus and ensure they don’t recur.

For this method we highly recommend the ANF Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar 6% Acidity as its tough on Artillery Fungus, yet gently on the car paint and its protective finish.

How To Use:-

• Use a mixture of 3 parts hot water with 1 part of white Vinegar.
• Dip a cloth or sponge into the mixture to gently scrub off the artillery fungus from the paint surface. 
• Finally, ensure you rinse the affected area thoroughly to avoid eroding the paint with the Vinegar.

5. Clay Bar System

The clay bar system is another removal method that works best for most people. This system is effective, but you have to avoid leaving marks and stretches on the paint.

Make sure that the car is clean and dry before you start to use the clay bars. Work on a small area at a time rather than moving back and forth in circles.

This system works well with the fungal black spots that have been on the car for a short time. 

We highly recommend the Mothers California Gold Clay Bar System, as it effectively removes Artillery Fungus.

This is because of the following reasons:-

• Its advanced formulation removes contaminants and eliminates fungal growth with a single-use.
• Safe for all automotive paints, it does not cause any corrosion or bleaching of the paint.
• Comes with a free Instant detailer spray.

6. Adhesive Remover Spray Gel

If none of the methods works for you, then you can try using an Adhesive Remover spray gel. This product works well on different surfaces where you need to remove a sticky or greasy substance.

It’s also effective when removing fungus, sticker residue, and road tar. If the fungus has been on the car for a short period of time, this product should work efficiently, but it can be less effective if it has been there for quite a while.

The Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Spray Gel does a great job of removing any fungal growth on a car paint surface, because of the following reason:-

• Specifically formulated with Citrus Power to clean off fungal or micro organisms on surfaces.
• It is surface safe so it is a safe alternative to abrasive cleaners that may damage your surfaces.
• Includes a free scraper to scrub off the fungal growth.

7. Bleaching Method

Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which breaks down organic matter by oxidizing the fungal cells, effectively killing and loosening the spores. When applied to the car’s surface, it softens the fungal spores, making them easier to remove without damaging the paint.

However, bleach can be corrosive, so it must be diluted and used carefully to prevent harming the paint or clear coat. Therefore, this method should be used with caution, as bleach can ruin your car paint if left on the car for an extended period.

This method is NOT recommended for cars with a ceramic or waxed coating.

Steps to follow:-

• Mix two tablespoons of Clorox Splash-Less Liquid Bleach or ordinary bleach into one gallon of water and pour into a bucket or container with a spout for easy pouring onto the car surface.
• Pour mixture onto affected areas and use either an old towel or microfiber cloth to scrub out fungi growths gently but firmly – do not leave any behind because this could cause more damage to the paint.
• Rinse thoroughly and immediately to clear off any bleach to avoid overexposure and corrosion of the car paint.

Final Word

If you’re like most car owners, you take pride in keeping your vehicle looking its best. But if you happen to live in an area where artillery fungus is prevalent, that can be a difficult task.

This pesky fungus can quickly coat your car’s paint with a hard, black film that’s very tough to remove.

We hope that this article has been helpful; in removing the artillery fungus and preventing them from re-occurring and destroying your car paint.

Contact us if you have any questions about cleaning and detailing your vehicle.

Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API