Does ash damage car paint?

Does ash damage car paint? That is definitely a valid question here in SoCal where we face widespread wild fires. Most of us have had ash cover our cars at some point and those of us living in the hills have probably experienced it more than others. While some experts argue that ash that is completely dry will not harm the cars paint job, most also agree that cleaning the car as soon as possible is very important. That is because if the ash becomes moist due to rain, fog, or higher air humidity, the chemical structure of ash can change and become corrosive. This corrosive composition can become detrimental to the cars paint and cause irreversible damage. 

Therefor, if wild fires are raging in your area, make sure your car isn't exposed to ash for too long.