While enjoying this McHenry summer are you protecting your car, truck or SUV finish?

Ahhhhh, summer in McHenry. What a wonderful time of year. The sun is shining, birds are singing and this is just a great place to be. And, compared to the brutal season we call winter, this is a time of year that is easier on your car, truck or SUV, right?

Well, maybe not as much as you might think. Not only does the heat of a McHenry summer bake your battery and test your coolant and oil, but it also bakes the daylights out of your vehicle’s finish.

The sun, while it’s warm and bright also comes with these rays referred to as ultra-violet. The short name for ultra-violet is UV. Set a car in the sun long enough and the UV rays will drain the shine and color right out of your car, truck or SUV’s finish.

Instead of the rich luster of a fresh finish on your vehicle, you’ll find yourself with that junkyard-like skin on the body. The color doesn’t reach out and grab you the way it used to do. And, instead of a shine, it looks as though your vehicle was painted with a flat coat.

Then there are the droppings from birds and trees. The acids and such in bird droppings can damage your vehicle’s finish, if the droppings aren’t cleaned off promptly. But the trees will do the same thing though their droppings are called sap. A coat of sap on your vehicle will eat away at the finish slow but sure.

What can you do to protect your vehicle from this triad of assailants? Here are some tips:

1. Park in the garage when able. In the garage, your car, truck or SUV are safe from the rays of the sun. In fact, though some dust may accumulate on the body of your vehicle, it isn’t likely to include sap or bird droppings.
2. Pick trees that don’t create as much sap. There are some trees that drip a lot of sap and you should avoid these, such as willow trees, maples, birch, elm, honey locusts, walnut and poplar trees. Try to avoid parking under these as, though they can offer shade to protect your car, truck or SUV from the sun, the replace the UVs with sap.
3. Have your vehicle cleaned and waxed regularly. Most car waxes contain UV protection. That wax becomes another layer on your car, truck or SUV’s finish and protect the vehicle from some scratches, stains, smears and more.

It’s important to remember that you’re not just protecting the vehicle’s finish; you’re also protecting its resale value. A car that looks new will sell for more than a car that shows its age. 

Now that you know how to protect your vehicle’s finish, you can focus your attention on summer fun. This McHenry summer won’t last forever; enjoy it while it’s here.