How the Sun Damages your Car in Albuquerque, NM
While many people think of winter as the season that is hardest on our vehicles, summer comes with its own unique challenges. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, coupled with heat and humidity, can have detrimental effects on our vehicles. These environmental factors can cause significant damage to both the exterior and interior of your car over time. Fortunately, professional detailing services offer effective solutions to mitigate these harmful effects. Here’s how the sun, heat, and humidity can damage your car and why engaging a professional detailing service is a great asset to ensure your vehicle’s protection and longevity
How the Sun, Heat, and Humidity Can Damage Your Car
1. Sun Damage to Paint Through Oxidation
The UV rays from the sun can break down the chemical bonds in your car’s paint, leading to fading and dulling. Over time, this can cause oxidation, where the paint loses its luster and becomes chalky. Heat accelerates this process, making the paint more susceptible to damage. High humidity can also contribute to the formation of water spots and streaks, further marring the surface. While paint on newer vehicles should last 10-15 years, acrylic lacquer from cars manufactured pre-1960 and cars with more significant exposure to the elements can experience fading in 5 years or less.
2. Cracking and Fading of Interior Surfaces
Your car’s interior is vulnerable to sun damage, heat, and humidity. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the dashboard, seats, and other interior surfaces to crack, fade, and become brittle. Leather seats are particularly susceptible to drying out and cracking due to the combined effects of heat and humidity. Fabric seats can become discolored and weakened, while high humidity can promote mold and mildew growth, leading to unpleasant odors and health risks. Interior care is not a part of a standard car wash and it shouldn’t be a surprise that many people neglect to care for their car interior at all.
3. Damage to Tires and Rubber Components
The sun’s heat can cause the rubber components of your car, including tires, seals, and weather stripping, to deteriorate. This leads to cracking and weakening, compromising the safety and functionality of these parts. Humidity can exacerbate this deterioration by causing rubber to swell and lose its structural integrity.
4. Increased Interior Temperature
A car parked in the sun can quickly become an oven, with interior temperatures soaring to dangerous levels. This not only makes the car uncomfortable to drive but can also cause damage to electronic components and lead to off-gassing of harmful chemicals from interior materials. High humidity further intensifies this discomfort by making the air inside the car feel even hotter and stickier.
Preventing Sun Damage to your Car: What can I do myself?
Thankfully, there are things you can do to care for your car during the summer months. Regular car washes remove debris, minerals, and contaminants that react with sunlight, causing paint damage. Consider purchasing seat covers to protect upholstery from UV rays, spills, and wear. Choose the shade whenever possible to park your car to reduce direct exposure to sunlight. Purchasing a car cover is a must for UV protection when long-term parking. These methods will help to protect your vehicle, but you might find it helpful to enlist the help of a professional for more advanced care. We can provide personalized care for you in the Albuquerque, NM area.
How Professional Detailing Services Can Help Protect your car from the Sun
1. Paint Protection and Restoration
Professional detailing services include paint protection treatments such as waxing, sealants, and coatings. These treatments create a protective barrier on your car’s paint, shielding it from UV rays and preventing oxidation. Regular application of these products can keep your car’s exterior looking vibrant and new, even in harsh weather conditions.
2. Interior Protection and Conditioning
Detailing professionals use specialized products to clean, condition, and protect your car’s interior surfaces. For leather seats, conditioners are applied to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking. UV protectants are also used on the dashboard, seats, and other surfaces to shield them from sun damage. Additionally, anti-microbial treatments can be applied to prevent mold and mildew growth in high-humidity environments.
3. Care for Rubber Components
Detailers apply protectants to the rubber components of your car, such as tires and weather stripping, to prevent drying and cracking. These protectants help maintain the flexibility and durability of the rubber, extending the life of these parts despite exposure to sun, heat, and humidity.
4. Window Tinting
Window tinting can significantly reduce the amount of UV rays and heat entering your car. This not only protects the interior surfaces but also helps keep the interior temperature cooler, enhancing your comfort and preserving your car’s electronic components.
5. Comprehensive Cleaning and Maintenance
A thorough professional detailing service includes comprehensive cleaning of both the exterior and interior of your car. This removes any dirt, grime, and contaminants that can contribute to the degradation of your car’s surfaces. Regular detailing ensures that your car remains in top condition, both aesthetically and functionally, regardless of environmental conditions.
Conclusion
The sun, heat, and humidity can cause considerable damage to your car, affecting both its appearance and performance. From fading paint and cracked interiors to deteriorating rubber components and mold growth, the effects of these can accumulate over time, affecting your vehicle’s value. If you feel it’s time to learn more and talk to a professional, reach out to us, serving Albuquerque, NM and the surrounding areas.
By investing in regular detailing, you can ensure your car remains protected from environmental damage, maintaining its beauty and value for years to come.