13 Tips You Need to Know to Protect Your Car From The Sun

Your car, no matter which make or model, or age, is susceptible to wear and tear. Your car can wear out faster from the effects of the environmental elements than from old age. That’s why taking good care of it and shielding it from harmful elements like the sun’s rays is crucial.

It has been found that cars absorb a lot of heat such that the interior temperatures can rise up to 145 degrees, and the exterior can go as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit when exposed to so much sunshine.

This is because cars are not heatproof machines, and no matter how sophisticated, they need to be kept away from the sun. So, that’s what we’re going to talk about here. We will share a few tips on how to protect your car from excessive heat from the sun. Keep reading.

Effects of Excess Heat On Your Car

Before we share these valuable tips, we need to understand to what extent the sun’s heat can damage your car and which parts of the vehicle are most vulnerable. This will help you appreciate the importance of giving your car extra attention.

In case you didn’t know, heat from the sun doesn’t only damage the exterior of your car, but other vital parts as well. The rising temperatures can hit even the battery and the engine as the sun gets hyperactive.

So, it’s not only your skin that needs extra protection from the harmful UV rays during the summer. To make these tips easy to read and understand, we’ve categorized them into three sections of the exterior, interior, and under the car’s hood.

The Exterior of the Car

During summer, as the temperatures increase, the outer parts of your car will feel the first impact. This is especially true given the increase in ultraviolet rays.

The more your car is exposed to the UV rays, the higher the chances of oxidizing your vehicle’s exterior paint. This may result in the outside coating peeling or fading away. It can also result in the exterior coating changing shape or becoming brittle.

1. Park Your Under A Shade

Of course, this is common sense, but how many remember to do it often? Most of the time, we leave the car parked in direct sunlight, often forgetting the long-term effects of such negligence. If you care about your car, then make an effort to park it under a shade. This way, your car can maintain a steady temperature of just 20 °F while the shade keeps off the UV rays.

2. Maintain a Regular Washing and Drying Routine

Wash and dry your car as regularly as possible. This way, you’ll keep it from the effects of debris, dust, minerals, and dead bugs. If not washed off, these elements would react to the excess heat from the sun and may cause damage to the car’s exterior components. At Elite Protective Film, we recommend using car shampoo instead of a standard laundry detergent, since it is well suited for car surfaces. After washing, hand dry with a soft cloth to wipe off any remaining grime.

3. Do Some Waxing

Giving your car a waxing job is like applying sunscreen to protect it from the UV rays in summer. It gives your car extra protection against intense heat and helps restore the natural oils in the paint. For a healthy exterior, wax your car at least twice a year.

4. Invest in Paint Protection Film

For the love of your car, invest in some paint protection film. The protection film is invisible and acts as an excellent shield for your car’s exterior, much like adding an extra layer of sunscreen on your skin. Typically, there are lots of paint protection film kits that are ideal for acrylic headlights.

However, you can still purchase one for the whole vehicle. The paint protection film will not only protect your car from dents and scratches but will maintain its aesthetics and increase its value.

5. Regularly Check on The Tire Pressure

The excess heat and temperatures during summer can cause your tires to blow out. Prolonged use of the tires causes them to reduce pressure, and when low-pressure tires come in contact with hot tarmac, they can easily burst.

To avoid mishaps or costly accidents, always have your tires checked at the onset of summer and conduct regular monthly checkups. This will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Interiors

Protecting your car’s interior components and upholstery is just as important as its exterior. High temperatures can damage the steering wheel, dashboard, and seats.

6. Get a Windshield Protector

A better way to protect the front parts of your car’s interior is to get a windshield protector. This will keep your dashboard, steering wheel, and front seats from damage when the car is parked in direct sunlight.

7. Consider Using Window Sunshade

Window sunshades help to shield your windows from excess UV rays and reduce interior temperatures. The good thing about window shields is that, unlike windshield protectors, you can use them even while driving. What’s more, they’re pocket-friendly and wouldn’t cost you more than $20 on Amazon.

8. Tint Your Car Windows

In case you didn’t know, tinting your car windows not only ensures your privacy but also protects your car from excess heat and rays. Tinted windows can significantly block out thermal rays and about 70% of heat.

9. Regularly Clean Your Car’s Interior

Regular cleaning of your car’s interior is the best way to maintain its aesthetics and keep it in good condition. Ensure you use suitable automotive detergents explicitly formulated for car use.

10. Give Some Attention To Your Dashboard

As a vital component of your car’s interior, the dashboard should be given special care and protection. Ensure you clean the dashboard regularly to avoid dust and grime accumulating. Additionally, you can apply dash polish to maintain its texture and aesthetics or use dash covers to ward off excess heat.

11. Install seat covers

Car seat covers can provide you and your car with multiple benefits. These include protection from stains, protection from normal wear and tear, and keeping the seats cool during the hot season and warm during winter. If your car has leather seats, then invest in a conditioner for extra protection.

12. Cooling System

The performance of your car engine may reduce significantly under intense heat. The engine’s components may melt or fuse, resulting in costly damages and repairs. Although most cars come with inbuilt cooling systems, the excess heat during summer may overwhelm them, hence the need to get back up.

13. Battery

Your car battery is as vulnerable to overcharging and overheating as the rest of the car. To protect it from damage, have it checked regularly each time you get the oil changed to avoid occasional breakdowns.

Final Thoughts

So there you are—our 13 tips and tricks to keep your beloved machine from damages caused by exposure to the sun. If you implement these tips, you’ll be spared from costly damages, repairs, and mishaps.

What’s more, your car will serve you much longer and retain its aesthetics. For more information on car protection or car protection services in the Boring, Oregon area, please contact us today. At Elite Protective Film, we live to protect your car.

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Kenley Wallis

Owner/Founder at Elite Protective Films

Our owner, Kenley Wallis started window tinting in 2002 as a part-time job while in college in Kennewick, Washington. Later, he moved to the Portland, Oregon area and joined the Elite Window Tinting team, Elite Protective Films’ sister store, in 2007 and quickly distinguished himself as a great innovator of creative solutions to the numerous challenges in applying film.

He refined and developed his craft over the years, eventually taking the helm as Elite Window Tinting's owner in 2012 and continues to play a crucial role at Elite Protective Films. Since then, Kenley has been working hard to provide the highest level of customer service to each and every person he welcomes through Elite’s doors with a bright and smiling face. With an amicable and easy going demeanor, it’s no surprise Kenley’s so popular with our customers.

Kenley knows no shops and products are created equal and takes great pride in delivering an elevated quality of service by working with our customers to ensure they are receiving only the best products and services around.

Outside of Elite, Kenley’s interests go beyond the shop and into the great outdoors. When he’s not providing Elite’s customers with the best when it comes to automotive films, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends either camping or boating.