How to Maintain Your Car and Protect It from UV Rays
Did you know that when your car is left in the sun for an extended period, the interior temperature can reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit and the exterior temperature can reach 200 degrees Fahrenheit?
However, cars are not meant to withstand high temperatures. Regardless of whether a vehicle is new or worn, it must be protected from the sun and heat.
As the temperature increases and the sun becomes more active, your car’s engine and the battery may also be affected, causing it to lose power.
As you can see, our skin and our automobiles require protection from the summer’s heat and harmful UV rays.
And, because we care for our cars in the same way we care for ourselves, it makes perfect sense to plan for the sweltering heat of summer.
So, in this article, we will discuss some practical ways to protect your car during the summer. We’ve divided the advice into sections for your convenience:
- Outside
- Interior design
So, let’s start with the tips for the car’s exterior.
Car's exterior
The exterior of your car is the first thing to suffer as the temperature rises. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can oxidize your car’s exterior coating or cause the colour to change or fade.
It can also make the exterior coating brittle and cause it to change shape. Forget about your worries because you can easily protect the exterior of your car with these free or low-cost tips.
Place Your Car In The Shade.
Yes, we realize this is common sense, but you know what? We are sometimes too lazy to find a shady parking spot for their vehicles. People frequently leave their cars parked in the sun, especially when pressed for time.
So, for the sake of car enthusiasts, we just wanted to ask you to keep this tip in mind. Please allow an extra 2-5 minutes and do your best to find shade when parking your car.
Wash and Dry Your Car Regularly.
Washing your car regularly aids in the removal of debris, minerals, and even dead bugs that become lodged on the exterior of your vehicle. If not regularly maintained, these minerals and dead bugs may react with high heat from the sun, causing fading of paint here and there.
Furthermore, the bugs decompose through bacterial decomposition, releasing acids that further damage the car’s surface. It is preferable to wash your car with a car shampoo rather than your regular laundry detergent because they are specially formulated for the surface of a car. Wash your car frequently and then hand-dry it with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any remaining grime.
Purchase Paint Protection Film (PPF)
A paint protection film is one of the best investments you can make for the exterior of your car. It is a clear film that acts as a shield for your vehicle. It’s like applying extra sunscreen to your car. Paint protection film kits for acrylic headlights are commonly available on the market, but you can also get one for every vehicle.
Your Vehicle's Interior
When it comes to washing and waxing an automobile in the 1950s, you could do considerably less harm than you can now.
Washing the car incorrectly may badly destroy the high-tech clear coat paint, but waxing it incorrectly can also cause damage. If you don’t want to wax your automobile, don’t worry; you should. However, bear in mind these points:
Begin with a squeaky-clean vehicle. A coating of dust (ground up rocks) will get into the clear coat when you apply wax, causing microscopic scratches that degrade the paint and wear down the gloss.
Sun Panel With Reflectors
It is one of the most amusing things people use to protect their cars from heat and sunlight. You must have laughed when you saw someone using them. However, even though they are an investment, they are quite effective at protecting your car from sunlight and heat. However, the type of protection they provide pays off very well in the long run.
Keep Your Car's Interior Clean Regularly
The interior of your car, like the exterior, requires regular cleaning. With the arrival of summer, the heat could even cook an egg on the sidewalk. The same thing could happen with the dust and debris in your car, and cleaning it up will take forever.
Take Extra Care Of Your Dash
One of the most important interior components of your vehicle is the dashboard. If dust and debris are not cleaned regularly, they can cause minor scratches. heat can also cause dryness and cracking. Dust and filth can be easily removed by regularly wiping them down with a microfiber closely.
Put On Seat Covers
Seat covers provide numerous advantages for your car seats. They protect your seats from stains and help to keep them clean. They also serve to protect them from wear and tear. Most importantly, they contribute to a better driving experience by keeping the seats cool in the summer (and even warm in winter).
To Protect Leather Seats, Use A Conditioner
It’s also possible to apply a leather conditioner if your automobile seats are made of leather. Due to sun exposure, leather seats are prone to cracking and tearing. Conditioning your leather seats regularly will help to keep them in good condition. These conditioners are also available online from sellers such as Chemical Guys for as little as $19.99.
Allow Your Windows To Be Slightly Ajar
We all know it’s a bad idea to leave your car windows completely open. However, you can leave it open just enough to allow fresh air to circulate inside. This will assist in lowering the internal temperature of the vehicle and thus the heat on your upholstery and dash.
System of Cooling
Car engines can perform admirably at high temperatures, but if they become overheated, they can cause serious damage to the engine and its metal components. They could even melt and fuse, resulting in severe internal problems and, of course, a hefty repair bill.
Battery
Car owners are most concerned about their car battery during the winter, but batteries are also subjected to significant stress during the summer due to the sun overheating and overcharging.
The battery’s failure in the winter may be due to damage over the summer. At every oil change, inspect your battery and pay additional care throughout the summer months.
Examine your air filter
The quantity of dirt and trash in the environment increases in the summer as temperatures rise, particularly in dry regions.
So, before summer arrives, please check and replace your air filter if necessary. Changing an air filter is much less expensive than replacing an engine part. How about attempting something novel and cutting-edge in the market?
Final Thoughts
That concludes our some practical tips for protecting your car from the heat and sun during the summer. This summer, use these tips to prevent and protect your vehicle from heat and sun damage. The suggestions in this post are all practical solutions that you can put into action right away. Some of the methods necessitate products, but most of them are quite cost-effective.
An expensive repair bill is the last thing you need. As a result, it’s always better to invest a little money in preventive and routine maintenance.
Our Recommendation
We hope these tips to maintain your car and protect it from UV rays provided you some value when it comes to detailing your car. As a car owner, only you know what is best for your car. If you can afford to get a car detailing, we highly recommend you do. It will make your car look amazing inside and out. Not only that, your car’s surface will continue to be protected from UV rays, dirt and debris over the next few months. If you’re on a budget or just need a quick clean then a car wash is the obvious choice. Just be aware that scratches can potentially occur even with an automatic car wash. At PAD we offer top of the line car detailing service. If you’re interested in getting your car detailed you can view our services HERE. Check out our other blog articles to get updates and learn more about car detailing.