How to Protect Your Car From Sun Damage

The bold Arizona sun can damage your car’s paint job in a matter of just a couple years. This decreases the value of your car and also makes the car look lackluster, and dull. To avoid sun damage and keep your paint job shiny and new, follow these four steps!

1: Wash It

It all starts with the wash. Wash your car often, cleansing it of the grime and pollution that can get baked into the paint. To do this, purchase a soft cotton mitt to prevent scratches, and an automotive cleaning product. DON’T USE DISH DETERGENT! It may seem like an okay and easy choice, but it WILL strip your paint job overtime. Don’t wash your vehicle in direct sunlight  or it will dry the car in uneven places and leave streaks. Even if you have dead bugs or other tough deposits, NEVER SCRATCH YOUR CAR! Use a clay bar instead. It will quickly and efficiently get rid of those spots without leaving a scratch behind.

2: Dry It 

Make sure you dry your car thoroughly with a cotton rag or towel of some sort. Some people think drying a car rrelevant, but when your car dries on its own, minerals from the water evaporation process can build up and damage the paint job over time. The sun can also cause streaks in the paint if the car is not dried all over. 

3: Wax It

To really protect your car’s paint job, try waxing it with a liquid sealant. This is a much quicker and more effective way than dry waxing.  Waxing protects the paint from most pollutants, and also fights off UV rays. It basically acts as sunscreen, but for your car. If you choose not to wax, grime could build up and end up damaging your paint job.

5: Purchase Protection Film 

Lights can become yellowed and grimy from the Arizona sun. There are multiple ways to fix this, but to prevent it,  try an auto pain protection film. This translucent film can also cover your whole car if you wish. It acts as a direct barrier against the sun. 

No car is immune from the damaging effects of the sun, but with these steps you can make the value of your car last a lot longer by protecting its paint job! Try them out!