Auto manufacturers have made strides to improve the horsepower and gas mileage you can expect from a new car, truck or SUV that you bring home to your Johnsburg driveway. They’ve also made improvements to the painted finish of new cars, trucks and SUVs.

In terms of improving the finish of a car, truck or SUV, as well as its durability, they’ve developed new methods for treating and cleaning the metal before the application of coats of paint. They’ve scientifically adjusted the layers, and thickness of layers, applied to a car, truck and SUV. They’ve improved the methods of applying the layers of paint to vehicles. They’ve adjusted the process of baking and rinsing the painted vehicle to increase the luster of the painted finish.

They use methods, such as Electrocoating, to apply paint the most effectively. They also adjust the thickness of the layers, and the materials used, based on which part of the car, truck or SUV they’re painting. For instance, they may use PVC or urethanes in areas of the car, such as lower-door sections and rocker panels – areas where you can expect more chipping. But there is one enemy of your car, truck or SUV’s finish that relentlessly attacks the finish – the sun.

What can you do to protect your car, truck or SUV’s finish from the UV rays of the sun?

What can you do to protect your car, truck or SUV’s finish from the harmful UV rays of the sun? There are several things you can do to reduce the effects of the sun on the finish of your car, truck or SUV, such as …

• Keep your car, truck or SUV out of the sun whenever possible. Whenever possible, park in a garage or under a tree. You can even anticipate the path of the sun based on how long you’ll be parked in a space so you can anticipate the path of the shade.
• You can purchase a car cover to put over the car when it’s parked for extended periods and you can’t get it in the garage.
• Wax your car often. Some believe that waxes containing Carnauba provide a degree of UV protection. Carnauba is from a Brazilian palm tree, known as the ‘Tree of Life.’ But, this is debatable. What is clear is that a coat of wax can help to keep your car, truck or SUV’s finish from fading in the sun as quickly. There are also paint sealants you can apply to your car, truck or SUV’s finish that, presumably, help to protect it from the sun.

While you consider how to protect your car, truck or SUV’s finish from the sun, don’t neglect the interior. The sun can do terrible things to your dashboard and upholstery.