It’s no secret that sunlight can have a significant impact on the exterior and interior of a car. UV rays from sunlight can gradually fade and deteriorate paintwork, causing cracks and spots on the car body. While prolonged exposure to sunlight can also damage interiors, ruining upholstery and giving dashboards a worn-out appearance. It is only natural that drivers will figure out ways how to protect car from sunlight.
By taking steps to shield your vehicle from the elements, you can preserve the appearance and value of your ride for years to come. Some ways of car protection from sunlight include parking in a shaded area, utilising car shades and window visors, using a protective car cover, or treating paint with a ceramic or wax coating. Read on for more answers on how to protect the car from sun.
The Importance of Protecting Your Car From Sunlight
It may be easy to overlook the damaging effects of sunlight on your car’s exterior until it’s too late. Sun rays, UV light and heat can cause permanent fading of paint, dull finish on the exterior, glazing of windscreens and windows, and ruin interiors with cracks in the trim.
Here is a closer look at the effects of sunlight on a car.
Fading of Paint
Vibrant colours can be rendered dull and faded with exposure to sunlight. The smooth surface of the clear coat will end up rough and patchy causing the exterior to look worn out. Over time you will find that your paint looks several shades lighter than when you first bought the vehicle.
Read here the difference between Car Wraps and Paint
Oxidation Of Exterior
As the paint begins to wear off, you will find spots, patches and marks on the exterior. As the top layers of paint get damaged, the paint is susceptible to peeling and cracking with repeated exposure to the sun.
Discover ways to prevent rust, corrosion and oxidation here
Damaged Interiors
Sunlight focused on dashboards and seats can cause materials to crack, fade or weaken. Leather surfaces will lose their moisture, reducing the soft and supple texture of seat upholstery. Sunlight can cause the dashboard, steering and interior materials to age quickly, resulting in a worn-out look that can affect comfort. Infotainment systems can malfunction due to the sensitive nature of electronic equipment.
Decreased Resale Value
A well-preserved exterior can be a compelling selling point when it comes time to sell your car. A Potential sale is dependent on a car that retains its original shine and well-maintained interior.
Enhance Vehicle Life
There are fewer chances of costly repairs if you prevent paint damage and interior deterioration. Your vehicle will maintain its optimal condition for a long time if you take some proactive steps to prevent sun damage.
Read here What Is The Difference Between A Car Wash And Car Detailing
How To Protect Car From Sun In Open Parking
By incorporating some of these easy steps in your daily car care routine, you can protect your vehicle from the harmful effects of sunlight, UV rays, rain and other environmental factors. Here are some steps on how to protect your car from the sun if you don t have a garage.
Park in the Shade
Want to know how to protect car in open parking? Well, look for a parking spot that has minimum exposure to sunlight, such as under a tree or in a covered parking lot. Sometimes a tall building can provide enough shade for parked cars.
Car Shades and Window Visors
A car shade is placed over windows or behind the windscreen to prevent direct sunlight from entering the interiors. Window visors protect the dashboard and seat upholstery from extreme temperatures and UV light.
Car Cover
Many car owners ask, is it good to cover a car in the sun? The fact is that a good quality car cover is resistant to harsh sunlight, UV rays, extreme temperatures and other environmental conditions. The car cover should be breathable, soft and prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt for the best protection.
Are you curious to know, does car cover protect from sun? Read on for the Top 5 car cover brands in India
Window Tint
Sun-blocking films that do not obscure vision and allow for safe driving are perfect to reduce the amount of sunlight entering your interiors. Ensure that the window tint you apply conforms to state road regulations.
Wash and Wax Your Car
Using a high-quality car wash shampoo will remove any surface contaminants that will cause a dull appearance. Dust and dirt can degrade paint at a faster rate when exposed to sunlight. Ensuring that you have a clean car body will prevent the deterioration of painted surfaces.
Adding a layer of protectant wax or ceramic spray will further safeguard your car from sun damage. These compounds can reflect UV rays and prevent them from penetrating paint layers.
Interior Care
Dashboard and leather cleaners are excellent for restoring moisture to interior surfaces which prevents damage caused by extreme sunlight. Use UV-blocking products to avoid cracking, fading and drying out of seat upholstery, plastic trim and other cabin materials. You can improve cabin ambience with interesting interior accessories. Read here for more details on how to amp up your interiors with decorations.
Understanding The Impact Of Sunlight On Car Paint
The important question is, how do I protect my car from heavy sunlight? Sunlight contains UV rays that can destroy the clear coat of paintwork and cause permanent fading and degrading of colours. This leads to a lacklustre appearance with an overall dull finish that can devalue your car. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures will eventually crack the paint until it peels right off. The metal surface is then exposed to the atmosphere, allowing corrosion and rust to set in. Many car owners often ask, how to protect my car paint from the sun?
If you want to know how to protect car paint from sun, your best bet is to use a paint protection film or a ceramic coat. This transparent layer forms a permanent bond with the paint, acting as a barrier against sunlight. Ceramic coatings come as a spray liquid and must be applied and left to cure. Once the coating has had a chance to form a shield, sunlight, UV rays or contaminants can’t affect the paint. These protection films provide a long-lasting barrier that preserves the colour, shine and integrity of the original paintwork.
It must be noted that the car needs to be washed regularly to prevent pollution from attacking the ceramic or protective coating. Washing helps remove dust and dirt that can accelerate sun damage. Applying a high-quality wax after washing can further maintain the pristine condition of the paint. The wax contains natural or synthetic substances that enhance the shine, bring depth to the paint colour and exude a polished look. The wax is another layer of protection against harsh sunlight.
Since a repaint is often quite costly, it makes sense to protect and preserve the exterior of a vehicle. Not only will you preserve the vehicle’s value, but you may also be the envy of other motorists on the road.
Read here about The Hydrophobic Coating For Cars
How Do You Shade The Sun While Driving?
Avoiding sunlight while driving is a little more challenging as you don’t know what weather conditions you will encounter on the road. Most cars have sun visors that can be lowered to shield the driver’s eyes from sunlight and reduce glare. Sunglasses with polarised lenses are effective at improving visibility during the day.
The best option is to use lightly tinted windows that block harmful UV rays. This way your interior is protected from sunlight while driving and even when parked. However, some states prohibit the use of tinted windows as it is a safety concern. Still, removable sunshades are useful in these situations. Many new cars come with sliding sunshades that offer a certain degree of protection from sunlight.
Remember to prioritise safety while driving, as visibility can be compromised in some situations. Whatever method you use to shade the sun while driving should not obscure your view of the road.
Conclusion
This blog has answered some important questions such as what blocks sun in a car and how to protect my car from sun damage. Not only do you preserve the appearance of your vehicle, but its value is also maintained and you get a comfortable driving experience in the bargain.
If you enjoyed reading this article, then you may be interested in other informative posts on the Carorbis Blog. Also, have a look at The Easy Way To Fold A Car Cover and Learn The Differences Between Buffing Vs Polishing Vs Waxing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How to Protect Car From Sun and Rain?
Ans. The best way to keep your car protected from the elements is to park it in a covered parking lot or closed garage. If you have no choice but to park your car out in the open, then use a car cover that is UV-resistant, waterproof and dustproof to protect the exterior. Regularly washing the car will also help preserve the integrity, shine and colour of the paint job. It is important to keep the interior well protected from sun and rain by using visors or sun shades.
Q2. How to Keep Your Car Cool in the Sun?
Ans. A car cover is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to prevent extreme temperatures from damaging your car’s exterior.
Q3. Does Car Wax Prevent Sun Damage?
Ans. Wax provides a layer of UV resistance and prevents the paint from fading and cracking during exposure to intense sunlight.
Q4. Can Sun Damage Car Headlights?
Ans. Sunlight can cause headlight lenses to turn yellow and reduce their clarity over time. Use a headlight restoration kit or replace headlight lenses if they are damaged.
Q5. Should You Wash Your Car in the Sun?
Ans. It is recommended to wash your car in the shade. Sunlight can cause water droplets and soap to evaporate, leaving behind spots and residue which can damage the paint.
Q6. How Do I Reduce Sun Glare in My Car?
Ans. Keep the windscreen and windows clean with the help of a high-quality glass cleaner. Additionally, a light tint can help reduce glare from sunlight while driving.
Q7. What is the best color car to avoid sun damage?
Ans. White paint is the best colour to prevent sun damage because it reflects most of the light rays. The next best colour is silver which acts as a mirror in harsh sunlight. Other colours such as sky blue and grey are also perfect for sunny areas. Avoid a black car as it will absorb sunrays and heat when parked outside during the day.
Q8. Can You Remove Sun Damage From Car?
Ans. Sun damage is usually permanent and can only be corrected to a certain extent. There are polishing compounds that could restore paint, but they are not perfect. Interiors can be conditioned with restoring chemicals that bring out a certain amount of shine, however, the original look cannot be brought back to life.
Q9. How Can I Protect My Car From the Sun Without a Garage?
Ans. Look for a shaded area under a tree or near a building to shield your car from direct sunlight. A car cover can be useful to protect your vehicle from sunlight and other weather elements.
Q10. What Causes Sun Damage on Cars?
Ans. Sunlight contains intense radiation in the form of UV rays as well as extreme heat which can cause vehicle exteriors to fade and deteriorate. Over time, car paint will start to peel off and metal surfaces will appear dull and lacklustre. Dashboard plastics will start to crack while seat upholstery will lose its supple and soft texture. Glass is also affected by sunlight, which means windscreens and windows will lose their clarity.
Q11. Can Car Cover Protect From Sun?
Ans. Many car owners prefer using a car cover when parking their vehicles outside. It offers the best protection against sunlight and UV rays when there is no access to a covered parking lot or closed garage.
