Summer in Atlanta is just around the corner, bringing with it sunny days and hot temperatures. Although drivers can take a break from the sun by heading indoors, many cars don’t get the same luxury. You might think that your car will be perfectly fine sitting out in the heat, but your vehicle is just as vulnerable to the sun as drivers. Here, we discuss several ways you can prevent sun damage to your car this summer.

1. Protect your car from UV damage

The paint on the outside of your vehicle is very susceptible to sun damage, so it’s important to keep your vehicle out of sunlight as much as possible, especially during the sunny summer months. The easiest way to do this is park your car in a garage or carport when possible.

Park in the shade when a garage isn’t possible, although it’s good to keep in mind that trees can drip sap onto your vehicle that can damage the paint. You can easily counteract this by regularly washing your vehicle.

A car cover is another way to keep your car protected from the sun, as many of these covers are designed with UV protection in mind. They will also help keep the interior of your car cooler.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Car covers should only be used on clean vehicles; dirt and dust can collect under the cover and scratch glass and paint.
• Covers shouldn’t be stored wet, as they can develop mold or mildew.
• Covers take some time to apply and remove, and may not be ideal for people with injuries or mobility issues.

2. Prevent sun damage by washing and waxing your car regularly

It’s important to wash and wax your car regardless of the time of year, but it’s especially important during the summer. Over time, sunlight can fade the paint on the exterior of your vehicle. Wax protects your paint from damage, dirt and debris, as well as sap bird droppings that result from parking under the shade.

Depending on where you’re parking and how much exposure to dirt, sap, and other
A good idea to wash your car once every week or two. If you plan to wash your own vehicle, make sure to use car wash soap, not dish or other types, because car wash soap contains protective wax that will help keep your paint in top condition. It’s also a good idea to finish with a special wax coating, which will further help protect your vehicle’s finish from UV rays.

3. Protect your convertible top, if you have one

You can generally treat hard-top convertibles the same as other vehicles when it comes to protecting them from the summer sun. If you own a soft-top convertible, though, it’s important to take extra care of your convertible top.

• Vinyl tops are susceptible to fading, drying, or cracking, so it’s important to wash and treat them with vinyl protectors specifically formulated for cars.
• Fabric convertible tops are treated to resist staining and UV rays, but these treatments don’t last forever. It’s important to wash and treat your fabric top with a protector formulated for fabric tops.

4. Protect the inside of your vehicle

The interior of your car can be affected by sun damage, too. Damage to these components can range from bleaching to cracking or warping. It may not impact the performance of your vehicle, but can affect its appearance and resale value.

Fortunately, you can prevent sun damage to your vehicle’s interior with a few easy steps.

• A windshield sun shade does more than keep your car cool: it can protect the interior of your vehicle from sun damage by shielding your dashboard, steering wheel, and front seats from intense UV rays.
• Treat leather seats with a specially formulated cleaner and conditioner. This helps keep the seats supple and sun damage from drying and cracking the leather.
• Treat your dashboard, steering wheel, and other surfaces with a protective spray designed for the material (eg. vinyl, wood, leather, etc,.).

If you know you’re going to park in the sun most of the time, you may want to consider tinting your windows to help keep UV rays out. Make sure to review Georgia’s latest window tinting laws to make sure you don’t get pulled over for windows that are too dark.

5. Protect your tires

It’s important to remember that your tires need protection, too. It’s natural for your tires to deteriorate with use and time, but regular exposure to UV rays can accelerate that process.

Tire protectants can help slow this process down, but you’ll still want to regularly check your tires for cracks, bumps, or other damage so that you know when it’s time to replace your tires.

It’s important to make sure your tires are properly inflated year-round, but especially during the summer since high temperatures, combined with under or over-inflated tires, can cause tire blowouts. It’s easy to check your tire pressure every couple of weeks, ideally before you’ve started driving for the day.

Alternately, you can take your car to your local tire shop and ask them to check the pressure for you. Many tire shops will refill your tires for free so you don’t have to worry about over or under-inflating them.

Year-Round Auto Repair At T3 Atlanta

If you need routine maintenance or more intensive repairs, T3 Atlanta can help. We service Infiniti, Nissan, Lexus, and Toyota vehicles in the metro Atlanta area. Our friendly and experienced technicians are ready to keep your car in top shape for years to come. Give us a call and we’ll book you in for an appointment today!