We love our cars, trucks, and other vehicles here in America, and we pretty much treat them like family. Many people actually have a female name for their car, so this gives you an idea of how we feel about them. It is a significant investment to purchase a new car, or one that is new to you, and therefore, it makes sense to protect your investment. We get our fair share of sunshine here in the US, and for that, we are grateful. However, it doesn’t help the paint work of our vehicles at all, and it really does damage the interior.
There are many options available to us; however, that are really affordable and readily available. I am, of course, talking about custom shades for cars that fit your windscreen, the rear window, and the side windows perfectly. They are easily put into place, and just as easily taken back down again. This is just one way to protect your car from the damaging effects of UV rays, and the following are some others for your consideration.
- Wash & wax your vehicle – This is something that you can actually do yourself in your driveway, or perhaps you would like to pay a third-party to do it for you. Waxing is a great way to protect the paintwork from extended UV exposure. If you don’t take the time to do this, you will find the paintwork fading in colour and maybe even peeling over time. You should always be trying to find a shady parking space anyway, and if there is a covered parking lot available to you, pay the money.
- Purchase a car cover – This is another affordable alternative when it comes to keeping your car cool and protecting its integrity. Prolonged exposure to the sun can affect the exterior and the interior as well. You will notice that your dash will start fading over time and maybe even cracking. We all have experienced getting into our cars and having to jump right back out again, due to the intense heat inside. A UV-resistant car cover is something that you can keep in the boot and put on when you must leave the car in direct sunlight.
- Think about tinting – This is an alternative, but investing in custom shades is a lot more cost-effective. You could have window tinting applied to not only the rear window, but the side windows as well. This helps to protect the fabric of the seats inside, as well as your carpets. Once again, this is money very well spent, because it protects the value of your vehicle, in case you want to sell it to someone else further down the line.
Also, remember to wear a good pair of sunglasses while you drive to protect your eyes from the UV rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen to your skin because the sun can penetrate into your vehicle, no matter what. Follow this advice and protect what belongs to you.
