Skip to content

Car Paint Protection and the Threat of UV Rays

By John Funk, September 18, 2017

You may not be aware of it but excessive exposure to UV rays can cause irreversible damage to your car’s paint over time. Leaving your car exposed to the baking summer sun for hours on end can cause your car’s paint to oxidize and fade prematurely. You would not want to drive around in a car that has flaking, peeling paint, would you? You can keep your car looking like new if you know how to protect it against the sun’s damaging UV rays. Here are some car paint protection tips that you may find useful.

Protect Your Car Paint from Sun Damage: Some Tips to Consider

Seek shelter. Look for a suitable parking area and park somewhere away from the sun. Park your car in a covered parking space or in a shaded area whenever possible. If you have a garage or a car port at home, use it. Leaving your car in open parking spaces increases its exposure to harmful UV rays which may ruin the paint off your roof and hood, and wreck havoc on your leather upholstery.

Do regular detailing. Keeping your car free of dirt, dust and grime can go a long, long way in protecting your car’s paint so make it a habit to wash your car regularly. For best results, use non-abrasive cleaning materials to avoid scratching your paint job. Make sure you dry your car thoroughly using a chamois cloth or soft cotton rag after washing it to completely eliminate all traces of minerals that are left after evaporation.

Wax it. Aside from making your car look great, regular waxing provides a protective layer that works by shielding your car against harmful UV rays and preventing grit and dirt from sticking to your car. For this reason, experts recommend waxing your car at least twice a year. However, you should consider waxing your car at least three or four times a year if you live in an area with intense sun exposure and/or where road salt is commonly used. You can also use other protectants or sealants (such as polymer or Teflon) to prevent the breakdown of the clear coat that protects your car’s exterior finish.

Use a high quality car cover. Aside from providing ample car paint protection against the damaging rays of the sun, using a high quality car cover can also shield your car against other natural and man-made hazards, and help prevent unsightly dents, dings and scratches. In addition, it can also act as an excellent theft deterrent.

car-cover-guide