The Sun Is Ruining Your Car—Here’s How to Fight Back

Long-term exposure to the sun can result in some damage to your vehicle’s paint and finish. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid the problem entirely—any time you drive, your car is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can fade and damage your exterior, dash and seats.

Still, there are some ways you can at least minimize the damage the sun does to your vehicle. Here are a few tips about how to prevent sun damage to your car.

Protecting the exterior

First things first, we’ll focus on how you can keep your vehicle’s exterior protected against excessive ultraviolet exposure.

There’s not a whole lot you can do to completely avoid this issue, even if you have a custom car cover you take with you everywhere. The good news is that all auto paint these days contains some form of ultraviolet protection, but eventually this protection will wear out and your vehicle will be vulnerable.

One strategy you can employ is to park in the shade whenever possible. Even just a couple hours makes a difference, as it protects your car from the sun and reducing the interior temperature significantly. Always park your vehicle in your garage if you have one, and if there are covered lots available, opt for those rather than uncovered lots. Finally, wash and wax your car on a regular basis to remove abrasives that could otherwise wear down the finish.

Protecting the dashboard

The dashboard will receive a lot of sunlight during the day, as it is right underneath the windshield. Parking in the shade or in garages helps to avoid damage to the dashboard. But if you really want to have protection for your dashboard and interior wherever you go, using a sun shade can be highly beneficial.

Sun shades get unfolded and placed underneath the front windshield, reflecting the UV rays away from the vehicle. Not only does this prevent UV-related deterioration, but it also helps your vehicle stay cool, even on particularly hot days! This means you’ll be a lot more comfortable when you return to your vehicle after your car has been parked for a while.

Protecting the seats

The ultraviolet rays from the sun can also deteriorate the seats in your vehicle, causing fading or cracking over time.

Cloth seats can be protected by seat covers, which are removable and washable, plus they protect the actual seats from damage. If you have leather seats, you should apply a leather protectant once a year to maintain the leather’s shine and luster. This will help protect the seats from the sun and other elements that could damage them throughout the year.

These are just a few examples of some of the steps you can take to protect your vehicle from the sun. None of these solutions is perfect or will completely prevent sun-related damage, but they can help you keep your vehicle in great condition over an extended period.

For more information about how to combat sun damage to your car, contact us today at Tom’s Body and Paint, Inc.

Categorised in: Auto Body Shop

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