How to Protect Your Car from the Sun

by Karen Campese CEO of Cars4Charities

The hot summer sun and extreme heat we have been experiencing this year, can wreak havoc with your cars exterior and its interior. It can actually cause the interior plastic on your dashboard to fade and crack. And it can also fade and crack your leather or plastic seats in your vehicle. To protect your seats and dashboard, you should clean them with a good polish and a soft cloth. The polish will leave a layer of protection on the surface. But you need to be very careful not to use a harsh chemical to clean the interior of your car. If you use a chemical that is too harsh it may actually increase the likelihood that the interior material will fade and crack. Parking your car in the shade and using sun shades in the windows will also protect the interior of your car from damage.

Direct sunlight and excessive heat can cause the paint on your car to fade, crack, and peel. Washing your car frequently will help to protect it from the elements. Washing the car after it rains will keep the paint from being damaged from the acidity of the rain. Frequent washing will also remove dust, dirt, tree sap, road tar, insects and bird droppings. The acid from bird droppings can eat through your paint. If it does, that area may rust. Also, washing the undercarriage of the car will remove any accumulation of dirt and mud.

Waxing your auto often will also help to protect its paint and finish from the effects
of the sun and heat. To keep the wax from drying before you can buff it, only wax it in the shade, in a garage or under a tree, and only when the temperature is below 85 degrees. Make sure to wax your car using a soft cloth to avoid scratching it. Also, use a dry rag to clean dirt, bugs etc. from your headlights so you do not scratch the lenses. If the lenses are scratched, it will make it much more difficult to see during nighttime driving, especially when it is raining.

There is a lot more road construction during the nice weather. That means your car is exposed to a lot more dust, dirt, gravel, tar, stones, etc. during this time of the year. That debris can cause unwanted scratches, pits and dings in your car. Where you find them, you will need to address them before they start to rust. Surface rust is not only unsightly it reduces the value of your car, truck, suv, or van. To prevent rust formation, just use a little polishing compound to clean the blemish and then apply some touch up paint to cover it. A little attention will go a long way to help to protect your automobile from the damage caused by the sun, heat, road construction, etc. The better you maintain the exterior and interior of your automobile, the better it will look and the more money you will get for it when you do decide to sell it, trade it, or donate car to charity. When you donate your car to charity you will become eligible to receive a valuable tax deduction. You will also be able to help a favorite charity to further their mission when you make a charity car donation.