The Worst Types of Car Vandalism
Harmless pranks are one thing, but vandalism is a serious issue for victims, leading to hefty repair bills and a sense of violation. Cars parked on the street or in public spaces, like parking lots and parks, are especially vulnerable to vandalism. Without the protection of a locked carport, the risk increases significantly. Stay vigilant and safeguard your vehicl
Deli Meat On Paint
It sounds bizarre, but some vandals use deli meat to ruin car paint. The preservatives in corned beef or salami react with fresh paint, causing it to peel when the meat is removed. Luckily, the damage can be avoided if the meat is taken off quickly, as the reaction takes hours to occur. Keep an eye out to protect your car from this unusual sabotage!
Dents
Intentional dents are a form of vandalism, often fueled by rage. Vandals might use their fists or heavy tools like a bat to damage a car. Repairing these dents isn’t cheap—costs can climb by around $25 for every half-inch of damage. Protect your vehicle to avoid both the hassle and expense of these unnecessary repairs!
Hood Ornaments
Although not an act of complete destruction or damage, having a hood ornament stolen can make a car owner feel like he or she has been violated. It is a senseless act that impacts people who take pride in the make and model of their vehicles. Depending on the brand, replacements can be pricey, and repair costs may be incurred if there is damage to the area on which they are affixed.
Flipped Car
This one will not typically take place in a widely public area nor in broad daylight, but it can be a thrilling feat for a group of strong vandals who find themselves out of sight. Not so for a car owner. Turning a car over on its side can completely overhaul the exterior and some interior components. Car flipping is also an act seen at riots or by fans celebrating a sports team’s win or loss.
Slashed Tires
Tires will prove useless if found flat from a big gash in the rubber. Someone walking past a car with a knife can easily and quickly stab the tires. This type of damage cannot easily be fixed; instead, the owner will be forced to purchase new ones. Depending on the size, a set of tires for a small car can run between four hundred to eight hundred dollars and more for larger trucks and SUVs.
Spray Paint
A quick and easy way of vandalizing a car is with spray paint. It can be an exciting act for a graffiti artist wanting a blank canvas or a gang member needing something to tag. Unfortunately for car owners, the damage is usually not small and discreet, so replacing panels or having an entire paint job completed will be costly.
Smashed Windows
Windows are an easy target for vandals, especially since smashing them creates a visually stunning shatter. The mirrors and headlights are in this same category, and often all three will be hit at once. Thieves often go for the ones with valuables left out in the open.
Gas Theft
While some vandals might contaminate the gas, others will steal the entire contents of the tank. Gas can be siphoned by sucking it out of the tank through a plastic tube and allowing it to drain into a gas can or container. It can backfire on the offender if he or she ingests any of the fuel.
Fuel Damage
Gas tanks are a typical site hit by car vandals. The gas itself can be ruined with the addition of sugar. Once heated up from a running car, it will thicken and gum up everything on the engine, ruining it when it cools. Sugar has also been known to clog the fuel filters and fuel injectors. Bleach, too, when added to a gas tank, will make an engine quit working and cause rust on the interior of the tank.
Keyed Paint
This is one of the most popular means of car vandalism because it is easy and discrete. Vandals are known to cause massive damage by running a key along the entire side of a car. They can cover more areas of a vehicle and even scrawl nasty messages into the paint. Small scratches can sometimes be buffed out, but deeper, bigger, and more complex damage will increase a mechanic's and painter's repair bills.
