How To Protect Car From Sun In Open Parking – 10 Easy Tips

Parking slots can be difficult to find in today’s busy city. With big buildings surrounding the area, cars are often parked outside for hours under the sun. In this article, we are going to show you how to protect your car from the sun in open parking.

Everyone deserves to enjoy the sun, except for your car. Cars must be kept out of direct sunlight because it can damage the paint and interior fabric. A well-maintained vehicle will last longer and look nicer–and not be subject to these harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Protecting your investment means making sure that you park your car in the shade whenever possible!

How To Protect Car From Sun In Open Parking

The sun is responsible for car fires, faded paint and interior materials, and even damage to the motor itself. The UV rays that come with sun exposure can be destructive to a variety of components in your vehicle. 

This includes seats, carpeting, upholstery, plastic trim, and dashboard components. The sun breaks down the chemicals in these surfaces which causes them to crack and become brittle. You’ll even find that your paint fades over time if left out in the sun.

According to a report, the year 2022 will be among the warmest years, so expect “extreme heat events”. The worst thing you can do is leave a car parked in direct sunlight for long periods without protection from the elements. There’s no such thing as “a little bit” of damage from sunlight exposure when you own a car.

Below are some tips on how to protect the car from the sun in open parking:

1. Park your car under building shade or overhang

If you don’t have a garage, the next best thing you can do is park your car in an overhang or under a tree. If there’s no available shade, consider parking far away from the building and under a large tree.

Your first step should be to find as much shade as possible for your vehicle. These spots are less likely to get direct sunlight, which can damage your paint.

2. Use a UV protection spray for the paint and interior fabric

UV protection sprays like the 303 Protectant – Automotive Interior And Exterior Spray, are great for giving your car a good layer of protection and safety from the sun. If you’re parking in an area that gets direct sunlight for extended periods, these types of sprays can be the difference between a ruined interior or protected upholstery.

It is worth it to invest in a good UV spray that will go on evenly and penetrate the clear coat. The spray must be applied as directed for maximum benefit.

Read more: Top 5 Best Wax for UV Protection

3. Use a car cover to protect your vehicle from the sun

Simply using a car cover will help to extend the life of your vehicle. A car cover is a light fabric that is placed over your car so it can protect it from UV sunlight exposure. Using a cover will help with winter storage as well because snow and other debris won’t be able to damage the exterior paint or mirror finish.

If you’re not going to be using your car for long periods, putting it under a cover will help to protect the paint and other exterior components. The fabric is also quite beneficial in keeping the vehicle clean when you’re storing it during rainy months.

Car covers will protect your headliner from damage as well.

4. Wax or seal the paint for added protection

If you have a car that’s metallic or another type of clear-coat paint, it’s a good idea to wax or seal the paint for added protection. This will help with preventing oxidation and other damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Sealing the paint is also important to keep the vehicle looking shiny, and it will help to prevent damage from rust as well. Ceramic coatings help protect paint from UV rays and reduce the risk of paint deterioration.

5. Cover up any exposed parts like windshields and windows

The sun’s rays penetrate through glass. If you’re going to be storing your car in an area with lots of sunlight for long periods, it is important to cover the windows and especially the windshield.

This will keep UV light from getting into the interior of your vehicle and affecting upholstery or other parts.

6. Replace cheap mats and seat covers

If you have a set of mats for your vehicle, it’s a good idea to replace them with sun-resistant brands or at least make sure that you clean the old ones off thoroughly before putting them back in. The same goes for seat covers.

It helps to wipe down the fabric first, but if you don’t want to invest in a new set, the next best thing is to make sure that you’re taking good care of the ones you have.

7. Install tint or get low-E glass for windows

If your car has a lot of window space on its exterior, consider installing a type of window tint on the windshield or side windows. This will help keep the sun’s UV rays from reaching the upholstery or paint inside.

If you’re thinking about installing a car tint, it’s important to make sure that it still complies with the required Visible Light Transmission (VLT) in your state. The VLT refers to how much light can pass through the window films.

For example in California, the front windshield and front side windows should have a 70% VLT.

Related: Top 5 Illegal Car Mods in California

8. Don’t park in areas with a lot of pavement

If you can, avoid parking your car on cement or other types of hard surfaces. The heat from the sun will seep into the vehicle and take its toll. If you have to park in an area like this, it’s best to leave the windows down for ventilation.

Grass and dirt are better insulators. However, they can get quite dirty over time, so you may want to think about avoiding this type of surface as well.

9. Don’t leave anything in your car

When you’re not using your car, make sure that you remove all of your items, especially if they are on the seats. Sunlight can also get into your trunk through the back seat windows and affect any items there as well.

This is why it’s usually a good idea to remove everything when you’re going to be leaving it for storage in your backyard or a parking lot. Alcohol or hand sanitizer bottles can explode if they get too hot in your car, and food items can also start to smell if the sun lights them up for long periods.

10. Call your insurance agent for additional information

If you’re concerned about damage to your car caused by the sun, contact your insurance agent for more information on whether or not you can add this coverage to your policy. Some agents will advise against it and say that you should simply use other strategies to protect from the sun’s harmful radiation.

However, this is something that you’ll want to discuss with your agent before purchasing another policy and then finding out later that you’re not covered for the damage.

Conclusion

The sun’s rays can be harmful to your car, especially if it has clear-coat paint or a metallic finish. To protect your vehicle from the sun and other UV radiation, you should consider removing all items that may get hot in the sun before leaving your car unattended for long periods. Use these tips to keep your car looking shiny and feeling cool on even the hottest days!

For more car care guides, click here.