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Ars Technica

Raindrops are tiny lightning bolts, and they’re corroding cars, study finds

Monday, August 31, 2026


A study identified that raindrops contain electrical charges that corrode car surfaces through a mechanism previously overlooked in corrosion research. Researchers measured electrical activity in falling water and documented its effects on metal coatings used in automotive manufacturing. The findings add to existing knowledge of how water interacts with painted and metal surfaces.

Original reporting: https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/raindrops-are-tiny-lightning-bolts-and-theyre-corroding-cars-study-finds/

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