How to Protect Your Vehicle from Harmful UV Rays

With the new year in full swing in Houston, it's now more important than ever to protect

your vehicle. In a hot climate, and especially near the coast, the heat and UV rays from the sun

can damage your vehicle without you realizing, leading to costly plastic trim and paint repairs.

However, with a proper preventative car detail, all of these issues can be avoided, and you’ll be

left with a clean car to enjoy the year with!

The Impact of Summer on Your Car

A hot climate is a dangerous place for your car’s paint, and most people don’t ever

realize it. Many harmful factors are at play, such as UV Rays that can easily damage and

discolor any plastic on the interior or exterior of your vehicle. Not only that, but direct sunlight

exposure on a car’s paint can lead to severe discoloration and clear coat deterioration, which

will turn into a costly repainting bill if left unprotected. High temperatures are also known to

cause damage to many different interior surfaces. Scary!

Exterior Damage Prevention

In order to prevent any damage to the exterior of your vehicle, there are a few measures that can be taken to help mitigate any possible issues. For one, getting your vehicle a proper exterior detail on a frequent basis will help keep your paint free from acidic dirt and debris buildup that can weaken your paint. Along with this, an exterior detail can remove other dangers to the paint, such as bird droppings and tree sap, which will quickly eat away clear coats if left uncleaned.

Crucially, an exterior detail also includes some form of sealant, whether that be a spray wax, paste wax, or ceramic coating. A spray or paste wax will provide temporary paint protection to get you through the season, while a ceramic coating will provide protection for years, especially given its ultra UV protection. The sun, and any road debris for that matter, is best protected against with a ceramic coating, all while the perfect showroom shine is left in its place.

Interior Damage Prevention

While the Texas heat will obviously impact the outside of the vehicle, it is also important

to realize that the interior can suffer just the same. Much of the interior trim is typically plastic-based, and when exposed to direct sunlight and heat for long periods of time, consequences such as cracking and discoloration can occur in key spots, such as the dashboard. In order to avoid this, a detailer can use an interior protectant on different plastic surfaces and trim, which helps knock away those UV rays and keep the interior looking like new. Another area that often suffers from damage in the sun is leather seats, where, over time, cracking and hardening will occur if left untreated. But, during a standard full interior detail, a leather conditioner will be used, making sure that the leather surfaces in your vehicle stay conditioned and protected against both sunlight and daily use. And, as the cherry on top, a leather conditioner will unlock a deeper shine to your leather seats, elevating the interior’s premium look and feel as a whole.

Miscellaneous Preventative Measures

With a proper car detail, your vehicle will be mostly protected from the harsh sun and heat of the Houston climate. However, a few other measures can be taken to ensure that your vehicle stays as safe as possible.

● Using Sun Shades

Sun Shades keep the sun out of the interior of your car, keeping temperatures down and surfaces safe.

● Parking in Shaded Areas

Using natural and artificial shade can greatly reduce paint exposure to the sun, keeping the paint, and any sealants on the paint, protected and working.

● Car Covers

Car covers, typically used at home, keep your car protected from the sun whenever it is not in use, which is when the most damage tends to happen.

Conclusion

Now that you know the risks of having an unprotected car during the summer, it’s time to take action and protect the second-largest investment you own—your vehicle. Here at Houston Auto Details, we take care of your vehicle like no other, and have helped hundreds get the car care treatment they deserve. Our Interior, Wash and Wax, and Ceramic Coating services are built to help revitalize your vehicle back to how it was when you fell in love with it, and now’s a better time than ever to give your car the treatment it deserves. If you’re looking for the best car detailing in Houston, contact us here , and we’ll be happy to help! And, check out the rest of our blog for the best detailing information around!