Does Sun Damage Car Paint?
Most people don’t think much about their car’s paint after they drive it off the lot. Sure, you think about the color of the vehicle when shopping, but after you buy the car or truck, the paint quickly turns into an afterthought. That is until it starts to show signs of damage, and suddenly it’s something you’ll be paying attention to once again.
Does sun damage car paint? In this article, we’d like to talk about what the sun can do to your car’s paint as the years go by. To protect your vehicle today, you can start by exploring our free Build & Price tool at Carport Kingdom.
The Simple Truth
While it can be a dream to go for a long drive on a beautiful sunny day, the sun’s rays are powerful and can do damage over time. Knowing what kind of damage the sun can do and how you can limit it is important for any car owner.
Over time, the sun is going to do damage to the paint on your car. It’s just that simple. The UV rays that are directed toward the earth by the sun are going to take a toll on the paint, and it will not remain in like-new condition for very long. That doesn’t mean that the paint is instantly going to fade and start to peel on the first sunny day, but every minute spent out in the sun is going to continue the process of degradation.
So, how much time do you have to enjoy the sparkling, shiny new paint on your vehicle before the sun does its work? That will depend greatly on where you live and what the weather conditions are like day after day. Also, it depends on your habits and how you care for the vehicle. It might be just a few years before you start to see noticeable fading, especially if you live in a hot and sunny area. For those in cooler, cloudier climates, the paint might hold out for more than a decade before it starts to show much damage.
Taking Preventive Measures
No, you aren’t going to win the battle against the sun in the long run – the opponent is just too powerful. You can delay the sun’s victory, however, by taking some preventive measures to slow down the rate at which your paint is damaged. Here are some ideas –
- Park Under Cover. Without a doubt, this is the most powerful thing you can do to protect your vehicle from the sun. When not on the road, park your vehicle under a roof of some kind to keep the sun from beating down on it hour after hour. If you have a garage, that would make for a great place to park, but a carport works just as well. Not only does parking under a roof help to protect your paint, but it will also offer some comfort advantages, like allowing you to get into your vehicle without it being scorching hot on a summer day.
- Regular washing. If you get into the habit of keeping your vehicle clean through consistent washing, you may be able to hold off paint damage for a while. When your car is dirty, small little scratches can develop that will help the sun’s rays get through the clear coat and all the way down to the paint itself. It’s best to wash the car by hand, if you can, instead of going through a commercial car wash that uses harsh techniques and might do more harm than good.
- Add some wax. You can think of waxing your vehicle as adding a layer of defense between the paint and the sun. Yes, this adds some time to your car care routine, but it will pay off in the long run in terms of your vehicle’s appearance. You might start this routine as a way to guard against the sun, but you’ll soon find that you also enjoy it because of how great your vehicle looks after fresh wax is applied.
Get Covered at Carport Kingdom
To summarize, yes – the sun can damage car paint. Does that mean you need to keep your vehicle out of the sun at all times? Of course not, as doing so would be impractical, but you can take steps like parking your vehicle undercover to help the paint remain in good condition for as long as possible. Remember to explore our free Build & Price tool, and turn to Carport Kingdom for a reliable metal carport and give your vehicle a perfect spot to call home.