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oxidation

ok-si-DAY-shuhn /ˌɒksɪˈdeɪʃən/

nounC1GRETOEFL

scientifictechnical

A chemical reaction that occurs when oxygen reacts with a vehicle's paint, causing it to break down, fade, and develop a dull, chalky appearance.

Oxidation occurs when paint is exposed to UV rays and oxygen without protection, slowly drying out the resins and pigments.

The story behind the word. Coined by the famous French chemist Antoine Lavoisier in the late 18th century, 'oxidation' originally referred to any reaction involving oxygen. When car paint oxidizes, it is literally burning at an incredibly slow rate due to exposure to atmospheric oxygen and solar radiation, leaving behind a chalky ash-like residue.

Word relationships

fading: Fading is the loss of color due to light, while oxidation is a chemical breakdown that also creates a rough, chalky texture.
corrosion: Corrosion is the physical eating away of metal, whereas paint oxidation is the chemical breakdown of the paint layer itself.

reduction: In chemistry, reduction is the opposite of oxidation, though it is not used in car detailing.

Commonly confused with

rust: Rust is the oxidation of iron-based metals; paint oxidation is the breakdown of the paint resins themselves.

Word family

oxidize (verb): To undergo or cause to undergo oxidation.
oxidized (adjective): Affected by oxidation; dull and chalky.

Collocations

paint oxidation
heavy oxidation
prevent oxidation
remove oxidation

Example sentences

"Years of sun exposure without waxing caused severe oxidation, turning the bright red paint into a dull pink." Explaining why an old red car looks pink.
"Oxidation is the enemy of all exposed metals and paints, slowly robbing them of their luster." A scientific explanation of material decay.

Memory hook

Think of 'oxygen' attacking the paint, making it 'old' and chalky. Oxidation makes paint look chalky and faded.

When not to use

Do not confuse with rust; while rust is the oxidation of iron/steel, paint oxidation refers to the chalky degradation of the paint's clear coat or pigment.

Fun facts

Single-stage paints (found on cars built before the 1980s) oxidize much faster than modern clear-coated paints because the pigment is directly exposed to the air.
You can test for paint oxidation by rubbing a dry cloth on the paint; if the cloth turns the color of the car, the paint is oxidized and has no protective clear coat.