6 Tips For Car Protection Against The Sun You Should Know
You are likely all too aware of the effects that the sun’s UV rays can have on your skin; however, did you know that exposure to excessive heat and sunlight can also be damaging to your car as well? Believe it or not, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can wreak havoc on your car by causing the interior to fade and the paint job to oxidize prematurely. Additionally, on hot days, the interior of your car can quickly reach 145 degrees, which can wreak havoc on your car’s components.
This means that if you do not have covered parking at home, and/or your car sits in the sun all day while you are at work, the sun could be taking a toll on your car causing it to look old and worn out before its time. While keeping your car in a garage whenever it is parked would be an ideal way to protect it from the sun, this may not be a realistic solution. Fortunately, there are simple steps that you can take to protect your car from the sun. Here is a look at just a few things that you can do to protect your car and keep it looking pristine for as long as possible.
Use Window Shades
When you are not able to park your car inside a garage, one of the best things that you can do to protect it is to park in the shade, as this will help keep your car out of the direct sunlight. However, even when your car is in the shade, the inside of your car can still get extremely hot on warm days, which could start to deteriorate your upholstery and even cause your dashboard to crack. A simple way to protect your car’s interior from the sun and heat would be to invest in a windshield sun protector and window sunshades. Shades for your car’s windows and windshield are extremely affordable, and they can go a long way in helping to keep heat and sunlight out of your car. Not only will this help protect your car’s interior, but it will make your car much more comfortable to get into on hot days.
Consider Getting Your Windows Tinted
Of course, if you are concerned about heat entering your car, but you don’t want to have to use window shades as well as a windshield sun protector, you could choose to get your car’s windows tinted instead of using window shades. Tinted windows can play a critical role in keeping the interior of a car cool on even the hottest days, as they block the sun’s thermal rays. In fact, it is estimated that window tints can help to block up to 70% of heat while still allowing natural light to penetrate a car. Window tints are then a great option as they provide privacy, they protect your car’s interior, and they can make your car more comfortable to ride in on hot summer days.
Invest in Seat Covers
When your car spends a great deal of time parked in the sun, one of the first places that you will likely notice damage in your car’s interior is your upholstery. Direct exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause your car’s upholstery to fade and show signs of wear and tear quicker than normal. A simple way to protect your upholstery would be to invest in seat covers for your car. Not only will seat covers shield leather and fabric seats from the sun, but they can also help protect your seats from damage caused by regular use such as stains and tears. Seat covers will then help to keep your car’s upholstery looking brand new.
Condition Leather Seats
If your car has leather seats, you can further protect your upholstery by conditioning your seats regularly. The fact is that leather seats tend to crack and tear easily over time, particularly when exposed to heat and direct sunlight. Fortunately, taking proper care of your leather upholstery can go a long way in preventing cracking. Critical to maintaining leather car seats is regularly applying a leather conditioner. Conditioning your car’s leather will keep it healthy, which can help prevent premature cracking and degradation of the leather. This will help ensure that your car’s interior looks new for as long as possible.
Wash Your Car Frequently
While this may come as a surprise to some drivers, making sure to wash and wax your car regularly can actually help to protect your car’s paint job from the sun. If you are not washing your car on a regular basis, debris, minerals, and even dead bugs that get stuck on the surface of your car can react with high heat from the sun, causing your car’s paint job to fade, crack, and deteriorate. Bugs on your car’s exterior are a particular menace to your car’s paint job, as decomposing bugs release acids that can damage the surface of your car. Washing your car regularly is then critical in protecting your car’s paint and finish.
Additionally, you will also want to make sure that you are waxing your car regularly, as a good wax coating can act like sunscreen for your car, protecting your paint from the sun’s harsh UV rays. High-quality wax will provide a barrier against the sun, helping to prevent your car’s paint from cracking and fading prematurely.
Invest in a Ceramic Coating
Of course, one of the best things that you can do to protect your car’s exterior from the sun’s harmful UV rays would be to invest in a ceramic coating for your car. If you are unfamiliar with ceramic coatings, they are essentially a premium wax alternative that provides superior protection to the exterior of your vehicle that lasts several years before needing to be reapplied. Not only can a ceramic coating help to protect your car’s paint job from the sun’s UV rays, but ceramic coatings also make your car easier to clean, and they can even prevent scratches. By choosing a ceramic coating for your car, you will be making an investment that will help to keep your car looking new for years to come.
Feel free to contact us to learn more about ceramic coatings as well as to find out about additional steps that you can take to protect your car from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
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