The Hows and Whys of Protecting Your Car from UV Damage

When it comes to car ownership, many people focus on shopping for the right make and model and jazzing up their vehicle with custom side mirrors and other eye-catching accessories. But, while these are essential steps to take, you shouldn’t stop there! To maximise your investment, you also have to take good care of your car and make it last for as long as possible. One great way to start is to protect your vehicle from UV rays and the damage they can cause.

How Can UV Rays Damage Your Car?

UV rays break down molecular bonds in various materials as time goes by. Plastic, for example, can turn dry and brittle when exposed to UV rays for years, and it can eventually start to crumble and break down. At the very least, plastic headlight lenses gain a yellowish tinge that makes them look old and unsightly, while other types of plastic trim become discoloured and develop a worn-out appearance.

Leather car seats are another component that can incur significant damage due to excessive and long-term sunlight exposure. This is because UV rays break down the collagen fibres in leather and reduce their strength and flexibility. They also cause natural oils in leather to evaporate, leading car seats to dry out and eventually develop cracks.

What You Can Do to Prevent UV Damage

While it’s impossible to completely avoid sunlight, you CAN take some steps to protect your car from UV damage, such as the following:

Park your car in shade

As much as possible, leave your vehicle in an indoor parking space or at least park it under a tree or any other shady area, especially if you’ll be gone for hours. At home, always park your car in the garage; If you don’t have one, consider installing a carport or at least protecting your vehicle in a car cover.

Invest in ceramic coating

You can also protect your car paint from UV rays by applying ceramic coating, which is formulated to deflect UV rays away from the vehicle surface and prevent them from penetrating into the topcoat. As a result, the paint won’t undergo premature ageing and easily fade and degrade, and you’ll preserve your car’s aesthetic appeal for a long time.

Install car window shades

Fitted window shades for cars are custom-designed for each make and model, so it’s easy to find products that will perfectly fit your car windows and prevent sunlight from streaming in. By installing window shades, you’ll protect your car seats, floor mats, and interior trim from UV rays and keep your vehicle interior in excellent condition. Purchase the right window shades by taking these steps:

• See if they’re made of durable materials that won’t quickly fade, stretch, or flap.
• Look into the shades’ UV blocking effectiveness. Ideally, they should prevent at least 80% of UV rays from entering your car.
• Find out if the shades’ performance has been tested and verified by trusted institutions like the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
• Make sure that the shades provide enough visibility and that they won’t completely block out your car windows.

Start Protecting Your Car from UV Rays

UV rays are some of the biggest factors that contribute to vehicle damage. Fortunately, by using this guide, you can keep your car away from UV damage and ensure it stays durable and elegant for many years.