I don’t know about you, but my skin gets damaged by the Sun. Maybe you have magic skin and can avoid all UVA/UVB damage, but you are unique. The rest of us and all the things we own are damaged by overexposure. Yet for our physical health and mental wellness, we need a few rays.
Your home and car have zero use for direct Sunlight. Have you ever been to a motor show and seen the difference between the old vehicles? A ‘69 Holden Hurricane kept in a shed could have beautiful original paint and interior. Once exposed to the elements they will have a rusty patina, cracked dash, and dissolved interior leather.
As it turns out, an old patina is of value in the car world. However, the interior will need to be replaced. Not everyone has a barn or shed, or even a Holden for that matter, but we do want our autos to last and stretch the value out of them with as few repairs as possible.
My house has a covered car park that just fits my ute. It helps keep the rays off the exposed rubber and plastics that all manufacturers, unfortunately, use. In summer the direct sun and reflected heat are so intense wiper blades can melt. A reflective car cover would provide complete protection when a Southern Magnolia isn’t available and without all the bird mess.
I keep a set of windscreen sunshades tucked in the seat pocket to deploy in defence of intense heat and Sun. They will help with interior longevity but I use them to sweat less when I jump in to drive. They occupy very little space and stow quickly. For me, they are a great option.
Maybe you need some side window car shades. Have you seen the stick-on, perforated side window shades? Those and the suction-cup style render your window useless. Add to that they are not very effective. The new snap-fit designs are BRILLIANT. They arrive custom fit to the make and model of your car and provide shade with the window open or closed.
I am not a fan of old window tint, it was messy, filled with bubbles, and peeled. The rising tide of material science has produced new ceramic film. Once installed by a professional it can protect your interior to a certain level, driving or parked. You can have it installed on your home as well, with two-way tech that prevents intruding eyes. Keep your home cool for less and private to all.
That rising tide of tech also floats the auto polish and wax products sector. New interior spray waxes include UVA/UVB protection and only require regular application. UV-protecting car wax from Shell, Dodo, or Gyeon is easy to apply and remove. These types of products help repel water and fogging of the interior. That’s right, auto glass wax. I swear by it, inside and out.
Read the labels. This stuff is great for your auto, not you, and some present dangers to us. Those we hope are taken off the shelves before we can buy them, butthe product safety board isn’t always on point. Regardless, use proper application procedures to prevent damage to self or vehicle.
You should be putting your suntan lotion on before waxing the car with its version. Waxing and window product application is a much easier task on a vehicle in the shade that has already cooled off. The oils in the wax can cook and destroy the composition and effectiveness of the product.
Keep yourself and your car cool this summer. Let cooler heads prevail.
