8 Biggest Risks for Cars Parked Outdoors

By John Funk, November 18, 2025

For many drivers, leaving their car outside is the norm — sometimes because a garage isn’t an option, or simply because the space is already filled with other belongings. Whatever the reason, parking outdoors is just a reality for millions of drivers. However, constantly leaving your car uncovered and exposed to the weather can cause significant wear and damage over time.

Let’s explore the impact of outdoor parking on your car and what you can do to protect your valuable investment from potential damage.

Sun Damage

You might not think much about sunny days, but UV rays are brutal on your car. Over time, the sun's radiation breaks down everything it touches. Your paint starts to fade and lose its shine. That glossy finish you loved when you first bought the car? It gradually turns dull and chalky.

However, the damage isn’t limited to the exterior. The sun beats down on your dashboard, steering wheel, and seats too. Plastic and vinyl crack. Leather dries out and splits. Those cracks do more than ruin your car’s appearance — they cause lasting damage that lowers its resale value.

In warmer climates, the interior of your car can heat up like an oven. During peak summer heat, the cabin temperature can climb above 140°F, causing the interior materials to fade, crack, and deteriorate much faster.

Rain and Moisture

Rain seems harmless enough, right? It's just water. But when cars parked outdoors get repeatedly soaked, moisture finds its way into every little gap and crevice. Water pools on your paint, seeps into door seams, and collects in spots you can't even see.

This constant moisture exposure leads to rust. Once rust starts, it spreads like a disease. It eats through metal panels, weakens structural components, and creates holes. In areas that use road salt during winter, the problem gets even worse because salt accelerates corrosion dramatically.

Moisture also creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew inside your car. If water leaks through worn weather stripping or windows, you'll end up with musty smells and potential health hazards.

Bird Droppings and Tree Sap

Nature is beautiful until it attacks your car's paint. Bird droppings are surprisingly acidic, and if you don't clean them off quickly, they eat through your clear coat and stain the paint underneath. The more time they remain exposed, particularly under direct sunlight, the greater the harm they endure.

Tree sap is another nightmare. It's sticky, hard to remove, and bonds to your paint. When you finally try to scrape it off, you risk scratching the surface. Sap also attracts dirt and debris, creating even more problems.

Parking under trees might seem like a good way to get shade, but you're trading sun protection for a different set of headaches.

From falling branches and sap to leaf stains and bird droppings, parking under trees can sometimes do more harm than good.

Extreme Temperatures

Temperature swings are tough on cars. In winter, freezing temperatures make rubber components brittle. Your weather stripping, hoses, and belts become stiff and prone to cracking. Cold weather also thickens fluids, making your engine work harder on startup.

In hot conditions, rubber and plastic parts tend to expand and wear out much more rapidly. Your tires can develop flat spots from sitting in one position on hot pavement. Battery life gets shortened in both extreme cold and heat, leaving you stranded at the worst possible moment.

Fluctuating temperatures make your car’s paint repeatedly expand and contract, eventually creating tiny cracks in the clear coat that allow moisture and dirt to seep in.

Hail and Storm Damage

One hailstorm can cost you thousands in repairs. Those little balls of ice falling from the sky at high speeds create dents all over your hood, roof, and trunk. Larger hailstones can crack windshields and break windows.

Strong winds during storms can blow debris onto your car — tree branches, trash cans, lawn furniture, you name it. Each impact chips paint, dents metal, or cracks glass. Even with an insurance claim, you’ll probably face higher premiums, and your car’s history report may show a reduced market value.

Dust, Dirt, and Pollen

It might not seem dramatic, but dust and dirt act like sandpaper on your car's finish. Wind blows these particles against your car constantly, creating tiny scratches that dull your paint over time. This is especially bad in dry, dusty climates.

Pollen adds another layer of problems. Beyond triggering allergies, pollen is surprisingly harmful to your car. Its acidic nature can stain the paint when combined with moisture and sunlight, while also clogging the air filter and settling into hard-to-reach areas.

Vandalism and Theft Risks

Cars parked outdoors are easier targets for thieves and vandals. Leaving your car outside without the protection of a garage makes it accessible and noticeable to passersby. Catalytic converter theft has exploded in recent years, and thieves can cut one out in minutes from a car parked on the street.

Vandalism, from keyed paint to broken windows, is more likely when your car sits out in the open. Even when insurance covers the damage, you’re left handling repair inconveniences and the possibility of higher premiums.

Fading and Oxidation

Oxidation happens when oxygen reacts with your car's paint over time, especially with constant sun and moisture exposure. The paint becomes chalky and faded, losing its color depth and protective qualities. Once oxidation sets in, simple washing won't fix it. You need professional polishing and correction.

This aging effect makes your car look much older than it is, which hits you hard when it's time to sell or trade it in. First impressions matter, and a faded, oxidized car screams "neglected."

The Hidden Costs Add Up

All these risks translate to real money. Paint correction and repainting cost thousands. Rust repair is expensive and often incomplete. Interior restoration from sun damage isn't cheap either.

When you add it all up, the damage from parking outdoors can cost you far more than investing in outdoor car protection.

And there's the decreased resale value. Buyers can spot a car that's lived outdoors its whole life, and they'll use that to negotiate lower prices.

The money you save by not having a garage could cost you later when it’s time to sell your car.

Why You Should Choose Seal Skin Covers

Fortunately, this damage isn’t something you have to simply live with. Quality outdoor car protection makes a massive difference in preserving your vehicle. Seal Skin Covers offer a smart solution for anyone dealing with cars parked outdoors regularly.

These covers are specifically engineered to handle everything Mother Nature throws at them. Here’s what makes them different:

• Multi-Layer Protection: Seal Skin Covers use advanced fabric technology that blocks UV rays, repels water, and resists tears and scratches. It keeps your car safe from harsh sunlight, rainfall, dirt, bird droppings, and other environmental hazards.
• Breathable Design: Unlike cheaper covers that trap moisture underneath, Seal Skin Covers allow air circulation while keeping water out. This prevents mold, mildew, and rust from developing under the cover.
• Semi-Custom Fit Options: Generic covers that flap in the wind can actually damage your car rather than protect it. While custom-fit covers often come with a high price tag, Seal Skin’s semi-custom-fit covers offer far better protection than generic ones, nearly matching the quality of custom covers, but at a much more budget-friendly cost.
• All-Season Durability: Whether you're dealing with scorching summers, freezing winters, or unpredictable storms, these covers are built to last through multiple years of outdoor use.
• Easy to Use: Reinforced grommets and elastic hems make putting the cover on and taking it off simple, even by yourself. The simpler and more practical it is, the greater the chance you’ll use it on a regular basis.

The truth is, protecting your car outdoors goes beyond appearances — it’s about avoiding costly repairs and preserving the long-term value of your investment. A high-quality car cover easily saves you money in the long run by protecting against paint fading, interior wear, and rust that often occur when vehicles are left uncovered outdoors.

Your car represents a significant investment. Whether it’s your everyday car or a special ride you take out occasionally, shielding it from the elements is a smart move. Seal Skin Covers give you that protection without the expense of building a garage or renting covered parking.

Act before the damage starts showing. Protect your car before the sun dulls its color, the rain triggers rust, or hail from the next storm leaves its mark. With the right outdoor car protection, you can park with confidence knowing your vehicle is shielded from whatever nature has in store.

Our products are not just reasonably priced, but we will also ship your order right to your doorstep at no additional cost, without any delay. We offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee and a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty with every purchase.

You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST), and we will help you find the perfect car cover that fits your needs and budget. We will also help you if you have any questions about our products, shipping policies, and exchange/refund policies.