How to Protect a Car that Sits Outside

By John Funk, August 23, 2022

Purchasing a car can be a huge investment, so preparing a secured, sheltered space for your four-wheeler beforehand should be a priority. A covered parking space can be incredibly useful for car owners as their vehicles can benefit from its presence the most. Unfortunately, many car owners neither have the luxury nor convenience of sheltered space, forcing them to park their vehicles outside.

Outdoor parking can expose your vehicle to harsh weather conditions and unpleasant contaminants. The exterior of your vehicle can come in contact with an immeasurable amount of contaminants on a daily basis. Road salt, diesel exhaust soot, bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, branches, and so on can cause extensive damage to your beloved vehicle.

When it comes to your paint damage, the sun is one of the main offenders, as it generates extreme levels of heat and light which can cause clear coat deterioration over time. There are a multitude of other elements that can impact paint, plastic, glass, and rubberized components at an alarming rate. Hazardous outdoor elements can also cause discoloration, stains, clear coat oxidation, corrosion, and rust.

Continuous exposure to damaging elements can take a huge toll on your vehicle’s aesthetics and value, so it is important to be proactive and protect your vehicle from the elements, otherwise, you will be forced to shell out a fortune to repair your vehicle.

How to Protect a Car that Sits Outside

If you are wondering how to protect a car that sits outside, you have come to the right place. Here are a few important steps that you need to implement to preserve your homeless car without the need of breaking your bank.

Wash Your Car Regularly

Acid rain and bird droppings can be dangerous for your vehicle, as they may contain acidic components that can damage the finish. Therefore, you need to wash your car regularly if it’s parked outside. Washing it often can keep paint-damaging debris from accumulating.
If you decide to wash the car yourself, try using a specific car-wash soap instead of a generic or dish soap, as they can strip the chemicals that give your car’s paint its long-lasting shine.
Brush-using car-drive-through car washes that are often found at gas stations can scratch the finish. So, in the best interest of your vehicle, it is better to avoid these kinds of washes, if you have access to a brushless car wash.
Commercial washes can be useful as they scrub the underneath of a car, which is very important after the winter season.
You need to ensure that you don’t air-dry your car after a wash, as water droplets left on your car can magnify UV rays from the sun that can cause hard water deposits to be etched into the surface of your vehicle.

Wax Your Car’s Paint to Keep It Sealed

Thorough detailing and waxing are important and a quality wax can build layers of protection.
A quality wax, such as a sealant wax, can provide the toughest protection against damaging elements such as acid rain, pollutants, and harmful UV rays.
A quality wax not only protects your vehicle from UV rays, but also acts as a barrier that protects your vehicle from ice and road salts during winter. It can also prevent fading, discoloration, oxidation, and minor scratches.
When you wash your car, the scrubbing motion may grind small dirt particles into the body, leaving scratches. When your car is waxed, the layers of wax applied to your vehicle allow dirt to slide off the body instead of grinding into the paint.
Having your car waxed on a regular basis can make it look shiny. It can also extend the paint’s lifespan significantly, thereby reducing the need to have the vehicle repainted to avoid rust damage. Adding a layer of wax helps in maintaining the showroom-fresh look of your vehicle by preventing damages caused by road debris and small scratches. This can improve the resale value of your car.

Shield Your Dashboard and Interior from Harmful UV Rays

Putting a sun visor on your windshields can help to deflect the ill effects of UV rays on your interior plastics, leather, and upholstery.
Polyurethane plastics can start breaking down due to heat radiation. This can be avoided to a large extent by applying interior protectants.
You should be careful that you don’t leave volatile or flammable liquids in your storage area, as they could react violently when heat-soaked.

Lock Your Car and Hide or Remove Valuables

An unlocked car that is parked outside is an invitation to mischief. You should not leave your vehicle’s windows or sunroof open, even a bit, as this means your car is not just susceptible to weather damage, but also vulnerable to theft.
It is also important to hide or remove valuables from your car as thieves often walk down lines of parked vehicles and glance inside for a valuable item like a smartphone, purse, or briefcase. They may then smash a window for a quick grab or plan to steal the items during the night when no one is around

Other Important Steps

Paint film and vinyl wraps can protect your car from passerby scratches and scuffs aside from protecting it from extreme weather conditions.
Exterior plastics, rubber, and moldings tend to fade and become brittle. This can be prevented by applying trim protectants to these parts. When silicone lubricant is applied in conjunction with protectants on moldings, it prevents sticking caused by extreme heat.
You can consider coating your exterior lights and reflectors with a UV protective solution as it will help repel heat, acid rain, bird droppings, and road salt, making it easy to clean.

The Importance of a Car Cover and Benefits of Choosing a Seal Skin Cover

A car cover is a necessity not only for those who park their cars outside but also for those who park their cars in a garage. As a car owner, purchasing a car cover should be a priority as it has several benefits associated with it. A high-quality car cover can protect your vehicle from harsh weather conditions such as UV rays, snow, hail, acid rain, and so on. It can also protect your vehicle from bird droppings, tree sap, dirt and dust formation, debris, and so on. A perfectly covered vehicle can discourage thieves and vandals.

A car cover may offer various benefits; however, it is important to purchase a top-quality car cover. The quality of universal-fit covers is questionable as they tend to be either overly large or undersized. Custom covers have a higher pricing point, and so they may not be affordable for every car owner. At Seal Skin, we offer semi-custom-fit car covers that are affordable, reliable, and durable. Our car covers are smartly designed as they are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Our water-resistant covers leave breathable space for water vapor to escape, thereby preventing moisture formation that can otherwise lead to mold and mildew build-up.

You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to Midnight EST) and we will help you find the right 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.