[Aurornis]

Unfortunately, yes. Dropping a magnet onto a car and pulling it off, especially if not recently cleaned, will damage the paint to some degree. Maybe not enough for an average person to notice, but you really shouldn’t do this to other people’s cars.

Some people will get snide about anyone who cares about their car’s paint, but as someone who once bought a car I had to save a long time for and spent a lot of time with car care products I would be very sad if I saw you drop a magnet on to it and then pull it off without a second thought. Please don’t.

[AnthonyMouse]

Also, the paint on cars isn't just cosmetic. It's what keeps the metal from getting wet and then rusting.

[nandomrumber]

Aren’t all modern cars galvanised?

[AnthonyMouse]

The unpainted parts.

[nandomrumber]

Are you saying the unpainted parts are or aren’t galvanised?

What metal parts of a car aren’t painted? Or more broadly: coated.

[AnthonyMouse]

The "unpainted" parts are galvanized. Galvanization is essentially zinc paint (with no dye). For the painted parts, the paint serves the same purpose, which is why it's important not to mess it up.

[nandomrumber]

You think hot dip galvanising, zinc electroplating, zinc rich primer, and zinc rich top coats are the same?

Jotun would like a word with you.

[hollerith]

I'll avoid doing it from now on.

[brian-armstrong]

I'm curious, how did you make it this far in life without realizing that paint is delicate and scratches easily? Do you have untreated brick walls in your house or something?