Warning! The Sun Can Destroy Car Paint Without Proper Protection

Keep Your Car Parked In The Shade

If you can’t park in the garage or a shaded carport 24/7, seek shelter under a tree canopy. (Heck, even a wimpy sapling tree can help protect your car from UV damage by up to 30%.) Your vehicle’s glossy paint may get tree sap and bird droppings on it, but that’s a small price to pay to keep it glossy far into the future.

Wax On, Wax Off (& Repeat)

Safeguarding your car’s paint from sun damage is a multi-prong approach. First, you prevent (park in shade). Then, you protect (wax). Our collision centers in Kansas City advise you to apply a high-quality car wax at least twice per year, preferably before and after winter. However, waxing your car every season wouldn’t hurt anything but your wallet.

Why wax your car to prevent sun damage? A good car wax locks in the natural (and unnatural) oils inside the auto paint, provides a UV barricade, prevents pitting, and protects against other caustic agents, such as road salt, which may harm the car’s exterior.

Here’s a useful tip: wax your car in the shade! Direct sunlight, as we’ve already discussed, should be avoided when your vehicle is without a protective film of car wax. (And don’t forget to apply an appropriate film to protect any rubber elements on your car, which can crack and peel due to the sun.)

Wash Your Car—A Lot

The third prong is continued maintenance (car wash). If you do keep your car parked under trees, the bird number-twos and tree sap should be removed ASAP; if left exposed to direct UV rays and heat for too long, that sap and bird doodoo can actually disintegrate the natural finish of your car’s paint, causing permanent stains.

Our Kansas City body shops recommend hand-washing your car, especially during the summer. Use gentle soap and clean water to remove the small particulates that build up on your car’s paint, such as dirt, sand, and bug guts. Always wash with a clean sponge and microfiber cloth, and immediately dry, by hand, in the shade.

But in instances where you are frequently parking beneath trees, it may be worth it to invest in a membership at a local car wash. Your time is important, after all.

Get A Quote For Sun Damage Restoration By Auto Body Experts

If your three-pronged attack to negate the sun’s rays doesn’t work, a trip to your local auto body shop might be a wise decision. For instance, our Kansas City collision repair centers will provide you with a free inspection and an accurate quote to repaint or refinish your car, as well as tips to help prevent sun damage in the future. We even offer complete auto detailing services to rehab cracked dashboards, peeling leather, and sun-stained cloth seats.

Find a Kansas City collision center and car body shop near you to get started with your sun damage repairs, or simply call 1-800-NEW-AGAIN to speak with a specialist at one of our McCarthy Collision Centers. Tell that sun who’s really the boss.

Sources:

https://www.azsunblock.com/how-does-the-sun-damage-car-paint/