How-Does-the-Vancouver-Sun-Damage-Car-Paint

How Does the Vancouver Sun Damage Car Paint?

Most people associate Vancouver with rain, not sun. But we do get some long stretches of sunlight, especially in the summer. The memory of those wonderfully long days of summer are basically what keep us alive throughout cold, dark winters.

It is so nice to have the sun’s rays shining down on us. However, it’s not great for our vehicles. The sun can do a lot of damage to a vehicle’s paint job if you’re not careful and take precautions.

Even when the sun doesn’t feel very strong or appear that bright, it is still emitting ultraviolet rays. These rays, the same ones that are harmful to our skin, break down the finish of a paint job, which is designed to protect the paint and colour.

This has a domino effect because once the finish weakens, fading begins to occur. And then the sun’s heat becomes stored in the metal of the car, which speeds up the molecules of the paint and further degrades its quality and further quickens the process altogether.

So yes, while the sun is wonderful, it can some real damage on our vehicle’s paint job.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is no way to reverse fading once it happens, so the best thing to do is avoid situations that will cause sun damage in the first place. In order to prevent sun damage, here are some ways you can protect your car’s paint job.

Cover it

This is pretty obvious advice but try to keep the car out of the sun as much as possible. This is easy if you have parking indoors or underground, but we all know that’s not the case for everyone in Vancouver. If you park your car on the street or outdoors, try and find some shade behind a building, especially if you know a heat wave is coming on.

Clean it

Keeping your vehicle clean means that the surface will be free of things like dirt, bird droppings, tree sap and salt, all of which can break down the molecules in paint and will hasten fading. Regular car washes are a simple but necessary part of responsible vehicle ownership and one that will help keep your vehicle’s lustre.

Coat it

Using a protective coat of wax after you wash and clean your car will add another layer of protection to your vehicle’s paint job. It’s kind of like putting sunscreen on your skin, and will block some of the sun’s damaging rays. You can do this yourself or take it in and have a professional do it.

Care for it

Take your car in for regular maintenance and check ups to your preferred auto body shop. Once there, you can discuss options for repairing any kind of fading and sun damage that might be starting.

Some options that a technician might offer are sanding and repainting the affected area, or applying a new coat of paint to the entire vehicle. There are always options and a responsible auto body shop will give you a range of solutions.

If you have any questions about keeping your car’s paint job in good condition, especially during the summer months, give us a call at Grandcity Vancouver Auto Body Shop!