Although they’re designed to be durable, modern vehicles aren’t invincible, especially when it comes to sun damage. This is because UV rays don’t just cause skin cancer—they also wear down metal, plastic, and many other materials and speed up their deterioration process. Fortunately, protecting your car from sun damage isn’t difficult when you take these steps:
Contents
Park Your Car in Shaded Areas
This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your vehicle away from UV rays. Look for an indoor car park when you’re running errands or at work, and park your vehicle in the garage instead of in the driveway when you get home.
Invest in Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a bit more expensive than traditional car waxing, but it’s worth every cent since it provides exceptional protection against UV rays and protects your vehicle from sun damage. It also safeguards against scratches and chemical stains while giving your car a high-gloss finish that boosts its aesthetic appeal while making it much easier to clean. There are DIY kits that allow you to apply ceramic coating at home, but you’ll get better results if you’ll have the job done by a pro.
Install Quality Window Shades
So you’ve protected your vehicle’s paint job from UV rays—but what about its interior? To protect your car seats, dashboard, and other interior surfaces, you’ll want to install window shades that can filter out sunlight and prevent UV rays from passing through the glass.
You can purchase standard shades, but it’s better to look for custom car side window shades that are specially designed to perfectly fit your vehicle’s windows according to its make and model. It’s also ideal to look for shades that have been certified by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Of course, opt for products that have excellent visibility and shade ratio so you can prevent sun damage without making your windows too dark and affecting your ability to drive well.
Use a Quality Car Cover
Car covers protect vehicles not only against UV rays but also against rain, mud, birds’ droppings, and other environmental hazards. Since it keeps your car cleaner for longer, you won’t have to wash and detail it that often, and you’ll save plenty of time and money down the road. Using a car cover also prevents passersby from seeing what valuables are in your car, making it a less attractive target and discouraging theft and break-ins.
Purchase Seat Covers
UV rays can affect a wide range of car upholstery materials and cause them to fade or discolour over time. And it’s not just about aesthetic appeal since upholstery with long-term UV damage gets brittle and becomes more susceptible to cracking and tearing. Fortunately, you can protect your car seats from sun damage by using seat covers that are made of UV-resistant materials. By taking this step, you’ll maintain the beauty and durability of your vehicle upholstery and safeguard it from premature damage.
UV rays are some of the biggest enemies that your vehicle can face. Fortunately, by taking steps against sun damage, you can provide your car with the protection that it needs and keep it attractive and durable for many years.