How To Protect Car From Sun In Open Parking [17 Ways 2024] | Flawless Car Guide

Sun rays are dangerous not only to your skin but also to your car. They usually park their cars under direct sunlight without realizing the damage that it causes to the vehicle.

Did you know that UV rays can eat paint, waxes, and sealants? It can also affect plastic trim.

Also, the extreme heat can cause high temperatures inside which in turn damages the dashboard and upholstery of a car. This article will discuss 17 easy tips on preventing sun damage.

To make it easier for you, we have divided these simple tips into:

• Exterior
• Interior

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How To Protect Car From Sun In Open Parking?

To Protect Car Exterior

Park in a shadow

Use car cover

Wash the car more often

Use UV car protection spray

Use Wax to protect the paint

Paint protection film (ceramic coatings)

Check for underinflated tires

Use the car umbrella

To Protect Car Interior

Clean the interior more often

Car’s dashboard protection from the sun

Keep the windows a little down

Close the panoramic sunroof

Use window shades

Install Seat covers

Install tint for windows

Install windshield shade

Use leather conditioner

Let’s get a detailed perspective of each point:

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Exterior:

The exterior of your car can be damaged by the sun’s rays so it is important to prioritize its protection. UV rays gradually degrade finishes leading to fading, flaking, cracking, and blistering.

While there might not be any way of reversing what has been done onto a vehicle because of this; one may avoid it altogether.

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Park In a Shadow:

Parking a car in the shade is the most effective method of preventing sun damage. This also keeps it cooler during hot summer days.

When parked under direct sunlight; paints fade away while plastics or rubber parts may crack eventually leading to even windshields cracking sometimes.

The best time to park under Shade is between 10 am-4 pm and it’s still worth considering paying for shaded parking with all that damage you are avoiding.

Use Car Cover:

Car covers are a great way to protect your car from sun damage, especially during summer. They also prevent bird droppings, dust, debris, etc.

Also, they keep your belongings safe so thieves can’t see what’s inside the car.

Wash The Car More Often:

Car washes help maintain the appearance of a vehicle and protect its paint from the sun. They eliminate bugs, dirt, and grime which if exposed to sunlight for long periods could cause corrosion.

Dead bugs left in heat may decompose releasing acid that fades away the paintwork.

Cleaning one’s car is recommended at least once per month but can be done more frequently depending on personal preference.

Use UV Car Protection Spray:

UV car protection sprays guard against fading caused by the sun keeping the paintwork fresh.

It is important in safeguarding ceramic coatings as well as creating a barrier between scratches from bugs and debris onto the finish of a vehicle.

Use Wax To Protect Paint:

If not able to get UV protection spray wax may also serve as an alternative option which will put another layer on top of a clear coat thereby reducing the chances of direct exposure to paintwork to UV rays.

Car wax prevents oxidation by acting as a sunscreen and hence protects the car paint from the sun.

To protect your car’s dashboard from the sun, you can use a windshield sun shade or park your car in shaded areas. Another option is to use a dashboard cover or apply a UV-resistant product to keep it protected.

It also:

• Restores color to faded areas
• Adds depth and shine
• Creates a barrier against dirt and grime particles

Paint Protection Film:

The paint protection film (PPF) is a transparent layer that stops the ultraviolet rays from damaging the paint of a vehicle. It saves the original paint of an automobile from sunburn and fading.

Moreover, this sheet also safeguards against dust or dirt particles along with scratches. It can be applied on new as well as used cars to maintain their fresh look for a longer period.

If you cannot park your car indoors, then PPF is the best choice for you.

Check Tire Pressure More Often:

Tire pressure is one factor that affects driving greatly.

To avoid unexpected damages it is recommended that you check tire pressure regularly; this can lead to underinflation causing burstouts and increased wear due to overheating.

Beyond a monthly basis, fuel efficiency can be improved and uneven tread wear avoided by checking tire pressure more frequently than once every month.

New and old cars have different recommended pressures listed on stickers inside their drivers’ doors while passengers’ weight may also affect tire pressures so also does high-speed driving among other factors.

‘If in doubt about what your tires should be inflated with always refer to your owner’s manual.’If in doubt about what your tires should be inflated with always refer to your owner’s manual.

Use The Car Umbrella:

There is a new product in the market known as car umbrella. It is a device that shields sunlight and keeps cars dry during rain. Lightweight, compact, and folding umbrella is easy to carry around and keep.

It can be opened or closed easily, thus ensuring user-friendliness. Car umbrellas are similar to personal umbrellas used by people against downpours of rain while they are walking under it.

Protect Car Interior From Sun:

The effect of summer heat on the inside of your car can be quite devastating because constant direct sunlight passing through windows increases warmth which results in upholstery and other surfaces being damaged.

However, there are several ways you can protect the car interior from the sun.

Clean The Interior More Often:

One of the best ways to protect your car’s interior from the sun is to clean it more often. People usually forget about cleaning their vehicles’ insides as they concentrate much on washing exteriors, yet this is where extreme heat may cause harm.

A lot of degradation can be caused by sunlight heat leading to decreased shine and cracks all over the inside

Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can penetrate through a vehicle’s windows making dust accumulate on dashboards and seats; if not taken care of these impurities wear out upholstery among other parts

Therefore cleaning prevents deterioration while preserving its originality throughout.

Car Dashboard Protection From The Sun:

The impact that sunlight has on a car’s dashboard cannot be ignored. Dashboards are very important because they provide drivers with visibility while driving therefore it is crucial to understand how sunlight affects them.

The dash can become extremely hot due to exposure thus drying out, losing color, appearing dull or even cracking in some cases.

Similarly, scratches may occur when dust and debris settle on them for long periods without being attended to.

To ensure car dashboard protection from the sun, make sure you clean it more often. You may also use polish meant for dashboards or opt for a cover instead

Keep The Windows a Little Down:

As mentioned before, UV rays are extremely hot and can thus easily destroy any material in their way including upholstery or any other part found inside cars. The best way therefore on how to protect car interior from the sun is by ensuring that temperatures remain normal within such areas.

To reduce heat from inside the vehicle one can decide to keep windows open slightly thereby enabling air circulation throughout thus preventing high temperatures from being experienced.

Nevertheless, bear in mind crime rates especially when leaving your vehicle unattended with unlocked windows even though this may help maintain the ambient temperature within a while away.

Close the Panoramic Sunroof:

Due to their aesthetically pleasing design and practical utility, panoramic sunroofs have become a standard on many modern vehicles.

These sunroofs are great for the appearance of the car, but the added heat from the sun could cause the interior to fade.

If the panoramic sunroof is open, it will let the sunlight directly into the interior and unexpectedly increase the temperature. 

Closing the sunroof is a good way to prevent extreme heat in the interior. This can protect the car interior from the sun by preventing UV rays from entering other areas. This is also the best way to protect cars parked outside.

Use Window Shades:

It is possible to protect the interior of your car from the sun by installing window shades. They are used to block out sunlight, thus reducing heat and preventing damage to plastic parts. Moreover, they also prevent harmful UV rays that fade fabric seats.

These consist of thin layers that are adverse in blocking sunlight thus protecting you and other occupants against direct sunrays during long-distance traveling with exposed windows Rear sunshades can also be utilized for covering humans near a person from direct sunlight but obstruct driving vision behind.

Various types of cars are available therefore can buy them at friendly prices starting as low as ten dollars.

Install Seat Covers:

To keep your car’s interior from rapidly aging, it is advisable to get seat covers for those who live in sunny areas. Upholstery may fade and become damaged over time when cars are parked in hot weather.

UV light can cause this effect but the use of car seat covers will protect the interior. More recent designs of car seats have more resistance to UV rays thereby safeguarding them against pale hues and weak fabrics.

If kept outside under the sun for prolonged periods on hot days, modern seat covers help drivers maintain a good-looking interior in their cars.

Install Tint For Windows:

Lately, many people have been putting shade on car windows. Some people do it to look good while others just want to protect the inside against sunburns.

Especially seats that are made from leather can be faded by sunlight damaging the interior. As such, tinting is an inexpensive way of securing your vehicle from direct sunshine.

In summer, this blocks UV rays and decreases heat intensity which helps to preserve upholstery material and leathers used for making chairs in case someone wants to buy one as time goes on; this also ensures that they remain cool as well as providing some sort of privacy since they hinder light penetration inwards.

It is more popular in warm climates or if you like taking long rides. Every state has its laws regarding window tints so before your car’s windows are coated with a tint film look them up first.

Install Windshield Shade:

There are many ways you can protect your car from the sun. One of the cheapest options is installing a windshield shade. These shades block the sun or any other sources of UV light from entering through your front windshield thus preventing damage to seats and steering wheel caused by exposure to intense sunlight throughout the day.

Windshield covers also keep damaging sunlight off interiors; they block out heat so that the inside can be cool every time it is parked under hot weather conditions. One may achieve this effect by using light-blocking material or film reflecting light outside.

Certain models fit flush against your window, while others stick to your console or windows–these cheap products are truly the best way to protect cars parked outside all day long.

Use Leather Conditioner:

Another way to protect your car from the sun is by using a leather conditioner. A conditioner renews and guards against the deterioration of leather.

Leather is made from animal skin, which happens to be very photosensitive. The conditioner forms a protective layer over its surface, deflecting harmful ultraviolet light away from the material beneath.

Applying conditioner on leather before exposing it to weather conditions will extend its life span while keeping the good-as-new look.

FAQ:

Conclusion:

In summary, it is better to avoid destruction by the sun’s ultraviolet rays than try to rectify it afterward. The simplest solution for this is parking your car inside a garage. If you don’t have a garage at your disposal, however, you can do other things too.

For instance, the paintwork of your vehicle can be kept out of the sunlight with car covers or umbrellas or by use of UV protection sprays.

Car window shades, windshield shades, seat covers, and even leather conditioners are some examples that will see to it that your automobile does not sustain damage due to high temperatures from the sun.

It is almost like applying sunscreen on yourself when you put dash polish on your car. Thanks.