As long as you maintain your car, it’s possible to keep its paint in good condition. Car washes, waxes, and other techniques can help keep paint from fading due to sun damage. Below are tips you should use if you’re interested in sun protection for car paint.
How Does the Sun Cause Paint Damage?
Paint deterioration due to sun exposure is common. The sun’s UV rays can cause chemical changes in the paint, which leads to cracking, fading, and discoloration. If a vehicle is parked outside for an extended period, it may be exposed to more sunlight than it can handle.
The sun’s UV rays also oxidize your car’s rubber door seals, trunk seals, and window gaskets, causing them to dry out and crack. The sun can also cause cracks on your windshield due to the expansion and contraction of its glass during extreme temperature changes.
It’s important to keep your car covered when not in use so that it doesn’t get damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays or other environmental factors such as rain and snow storms.
Maintain a Regular Wash Schedule
Regular car washes are essential, not just because they benefit the vehicle. You can avoid hiring a professional detailer to repair discoloration or oxidation caused by dirt and grime if you regularly clean your vehicle’s paint.
It will become dirty and grimy if you do not regularly wash your car. Dirt acts as sandpaper against the delicate surface of your paint job, eroding its protective layer over time and resulting in rust that requires regular auto body shop maintenance.
Use a High-Quality Car Wash Soap
When washing your car, it’s important to use a high-quality soap that won’t leave any residue behind. Many soaps contain chemicals that will damage your car’s paint over time.
You can also use dishwashing liquid if you’re in a pinch, but it will still leave behind some residue on the surface of your car if you want to ensure that the sun doesn’t ruin your paint job.
Regularly Wax Your Car
Waxing your car regularly is a great way to keep the sun from ruining your paint. Waxing helps protect against water spots, fading, and corrosion. It can also help prevent scratches by filling in tiny micro fissures on your paint’s surface.
Use Ceramic Coat
Ceramic coatings resist the elements, making them ideal for harsh climates or sunny areas. It can prevent rust and oxidation, which is great if you live in a salty winter climate.
A ceramic coat is a clear protective coating that goes on top of the paint and keeps it from fading or oxidizing. It also repels water and dirt, which means that washing your car regularly with soap and water won’t get dirty as quickly or as easily as before. A high-quality ceramic coating can be applied in just one day, but it will last and protect your car for years.
Use Protective Coverings
If you park your vehicle outside, one of the best ways to prevent sun damage to the paint is to use a protective covering. There are car covers made from various materials, including vinyl and canvas. These materials are also designed to withstand water damage and birds pecking.
These covers typically include elastic straps, making them simple to apply and remove. Consider purchasing a model that is sufficiently large to cover more than just your vehicle’s body. You could also choose a smaller option that only covers specific parts to minimize its impact on your visibility while driving around town.
Avoid Parking Your Car in Direct Sunlight
To reduce fading, you can park your vehicle in shady areas. This is ideal if you have a garage because it completely shields your vehicle from the sun. It will not be damaged if it is well-maintained and shielded from UV rays.
If you do not have access to a garage, park partially under trees or other large structures that protect you from the sun’s UV rays. This is not always possible if there are no shade trees in the parking lot where you work or live, but if there are plants or bushes nearby, park your vehicle underneath them for additional UV ray protection.
Get Your Paint Repaired as Soon as You Notice a Problem
Fix a problem as soon as you discover it. If paint cracks are not repaired immediately, they will likely spread. If the damage on the car paint is not too severe and only affects a small area of the vehicle, it may be possible to repair that area rather than repaint the entire automobile or truck. Without spending thousands of dollars on professional touch-ups or repainting, light scratches on your vehicle’s finish can be removed with a simple polish to restore its appearance.
If you notice water spots forming on your vehicle’s finish after washing it, remove them immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent stains. If these spots are not removed immediately, they can eat into the clear coat layer below, causing further damage over time if they are not properly treated.
Conclusion
The sun can wreak havoc on your car’s paint, but numerous ways exist to prevent this damage. A high-quality ceramic coating, such as one from Bob Moses Ceramic Coating, is among the most effective methods. These tips are also an excellent way to safeguard your investment!
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