Hey guys/gals...

So I've moved into my new condo and it sucks that the garage is not covered and so my car is left out to bake in the hot, tropical sun and not to mention, rain, wind, dust etc...... all day.

I just want to know what are ways I can protect the car's EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR from the hot sun and UV rays. Keep in mind that I live in a tropical sun where it is most HOT, SUNNY, and HUMID almost everyday.

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to your feedbacks.

 

I park outside too. I'm in San Diego, so we have the sunny weather too. I have a custom fit sun shade for the windshield and a nice aftermarket car cover. I don't use the car cover all that much, the more you do the better though. Mainly, I try and wash once or twice a week and keep a good coat of wax on.

Looked for link to the exact cover, but I can't find it. Definitely shop around online and you will find a good one that is custom fit. Just don't buy the Infiniti cover, that thing is a rip off! There are covers that are made for harsher weather too. Mine is a 4 later or something. Good for light rain and moisture.

Good Luck.

 

Car covers

a) Severe sun exposure: Sunbrella™ by Glen Raven Mills, Inc In areas of high sun but little rain a Sunbrella™ cover provides the best UVR protection for prolonged sun exposure, a durable long-lasting fabric that protects interior and exterior finish, provides almost complete UV block, fade and water resistant.

b) Severe sun exposure: Reflec'tect™ Lightweight woven fabric has a UV-reflective silver-colour finish that helps keep the vehicle cooler, fabric is water resistant and also repels dust and dirt to help keep the vehicle clean, compact for easy trunk storage,3 Year Warranty Easy to handle for installation and removal, this lightweight cover provides good all season protection.

Look into the newer nanotechnolgy coatings as they provide better paint protection from the elements than traditional (wax / sealent) products

 

Thanks guys... I was thinking a car cover would be my best bet. I'll look 'em up.

 

I REALLY recommend DashMat | America's #1 Dashboard Covers

protect ur dash. I got on mine and I love it, my dash is never hot again under the sun. I got the suede one.

If ure still considering if u shld get it, try parking ur car under the sun for an hour then go feel ur dash :P

 

you have pics?

A dash cover will protect it from UV rays but not necessarily the heat.

 

Ultra violet penetration of auto glass; UV radiation is present in the sun’s rays throughout the year in varying amounts. Ordinary glass is partially transparent to UV-A but is opaque to shorter wavelengths, auto window glass filters out about 97% of the UV-B radiation, the cause of photosynthesis (fading) and approximately 37% of infrared (UV-A) radiation.

Dependent on reflective value of the paint colour; surface reflection will provide some UV radiation protection along with some sacrificial protection as the wax or polymers breakdown.

 

My cars are garaged so I don't have your problem.
If I did, I would only use car wax that had a UV protectant. You would think that all the better waxes would have UV protectant in them, but quite a lot don't.

 

A car cover may cause some problems if the car has any dirt on it. Could wind up with a lot of scratches in the paint you are trying to protect.

 

UV Radiation comprises both visible (UV-B) light and invisible (UV-A) infrared heat radiation, which represents part of the ultra violet solar spectrum (approximately 55%-60%).

Organic (Carnauba) waxes or inorganic (polymer sealants or coatings) contrary to marketing myth do not contain natural ultra violet protection. Dependent on reflective value of the paint colour; surface reflection will provide some UV radiation protection along with some sacrificial protection as the wax or polymers breakdown.

Some waxes and polymer sealants have ultra violet (UV-B) protection agents added when they are formulated, but be cognizant that the protection a microscopically thin layer can provide is limited. This renewable barrier is probably less than 0.1 µ (4 Mils) thick. The primary paint surface protection against UV light is the clear coat; which protects the colour coat from fading by adding anti-UV-B chemicals to the polymer when mixing the clear coat ingredients.

 

^^ is it film ?

 

Anybody using a good windshield shade they would recommend?

 

^

I have those generic K-Mart 2-piece ones that fold into a circle. Covers almost the entire windshield and been using it for 3 years now.

 

For the interior I use the 303 Aerospace Protectant all over for UV protection. It's a great product to use on vinyl, rubber, leatherette seats, plastic, etc. For carpets try the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard.

For the exterior the Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 Permanent Paint Coating is a great choice but the application should be done by professionals. For a more traditional product try the Blackfire Wet Diamond with Polycharger, it's a very easy to use sealant that can protect your paint, wheels, glass, head lights, etc.

Greg @ DI

 

I have the same issue so I just keep it washed weekly and a good wax a sealer helps out a bunch. I think I need to just get a garage... LOL.