Car paint fading ; a big problem in Phoenix ?? (how much, buy)

[IbeDavid]

Given the intense sunlight for most of the year, how much of a beating does ones Car take on the paint finish and interior ? Do you just wax/polish it more often to keep it looking shiny ? Thanks.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by IbeDavid

Given the intense sunlight for most of the year, how much of a beating does ones Car take on the paint finish and interior ? Do you just wax/polish it more often to keep it looking shiny ? Thanks.

Great question, IbeDavid

I've frequently been referred to as a "car nut" . . . however, common sense and proper care should eliminate most, if not all vehicle paint fading.

Unfortunately, paint used by some vehicle manufacturers and some colors seem to be more vulnerable than others.

On the positive side . . . the extremely low humidity most of the year (read: DRY HEAT) literally eliminates rust and rot for the metal parts but creates havoc on the interiors. Once again, more care and common sense applies.

[FireKwame]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Great question, IbeDavid

I've frequently been referred to as a "car nut" . . . however, common sense and proper care should eliminate most, if not all vehicle paint fading.

Unfortunately, paint used by some vehicle manufacturers and some colors seem to be more vulnerable than others.

On the positive side . . . the extremely low humidity most of the year (read: DRY HEAT) literally eliminates rust and rot for the metal parts but creates havoc on the interiors. Once again, more care and common sense applies.

Perhaps you could include a few tips?

[IbeDavid]

Yes...please include things and products which maintain a good exterior finish and protects the interior .

[Steve-o]

I used to detail cars (not in the Valley--here in IL) on the side, so I hope I can help here...

Keep it out of direct sunlight as much as you can. Wax the car at least once every 6 months. I used Meguiar's 3 step wax, as I got the best results with it. It was time consuming, but worked like a charm and the finished product was to die for. AZ's sun will damage interiors like you wouldnt believe (fading, cracking, etc). Invest in tinted windows and a windshield cover for when you have to park in the sun.

Some detailing tips that might be helpful to you:

1. Dont wax the car when the paint is hot, and certainly dont wax it in direct sun. Ever.
2. Allow the wax to fully dry before removing it. Apply and remove the wax with small, circular motions.
3. If you use a 3 step wax (cleaner, polish, top), change wax pads between steps.
4. Do not use beachtowels, etc, to take the wax off. Leaves micro-swirls which look bad. I used cheese-cloth, worked wonders and left no micro-scratches.
5. Same applies for drying the car after washing it-- use a chamois instead of a towel.

Interior? If you have leather, buy Mothers or Meguiars leather conditioner, use as directed. Many people advise you to use Armor All dash treatment. Id advise against it, at least in summer. My BIL used it on his Jeep and the sun actually burned the Armor All into the dash, you could see all the swirls where he applied it. Now he has to apply it all the time just to hide the swirl marks. He wasnt a happy camper when he came out to his Wrangler after work to find that the sun (and Armor All mix) destroyed his dash.

[FireKwame]

I guess you could always get a remnant of shag carpeting and cut it to fit your dashboard. Problem solved!!


(lol)

[Bungle]

Typically I wash my truck every 2 weeks and hand wax every 3-4 months. Don't forget to armorall all of the plastic and rubber (door seals) on your vehicle. This should keep everything from fading or cracking. Think of it as hand lotion for your car. Also window tint with UV blocking will help keep your interior fresh. I suggest getting a good dashmat and window shades for your windshield as well if you park outside for an extended period of time during the day.

[LadmoFan]

I am not much of a car nut so I can't comment on the advice given above but it sounds good to me. What I can comment on is the use of a windshield shade cover. They come in various styles including the folding cardboard model, the flexible "mylar" type with the shiny side, etc. Not only do they help protect your dashboard but they keep the steering wheel cool. Nothing worse than fried fingers on a hot steering wheel.

LF

[JoePAz]

Originally Posted by IbeDavid

Given the intense sunlight for most of the year, how much of a beating does ones Car take on the paint finish and interior ? Do you just wax/polish it more often to keep it looking shiny ? Thanks.

Yes,
Very much so. Wax only delays it a bit. Keep the car in the garage at all times to minize this issue. However 99.9% of the time you will still need to park it outside in 110F 5 days a week 8-10 hrs a day in the summer at work anyway.

Some resort to use a car cover at work. The help a ton, but it can get quite old to always be putting it on and off. One key is the windshield sunshade. It helps limit the sun going in the front windshield and as such minimizes the impact on the dash. It can also realyl help to prevent the steering wheel from become 500F when you get in the car. Also if you can select the direction in which you park at work it can also limit how much sun goes into the car and possible prevent the sun from heating up the driver's seat all day long.

In the end it is hot, sunny and dry. This is worse envirnoment for paint and nearly all the materials of a car's interior. Of course we don't see any rust at all.

With respect to Amour All and similar products. I NEVER use them on the inside of the car. That I believe contribues to a significant level of dash cracking. The product tends to further dry out the plastic making it worse. I clean with water and a damp cloth

[Ponderosa]

You can get mats for the dash from a company called DashMat located here in PHX. They have custom cuts for just about every car ever made. Use a product called 303 rather than ArmorAll and your plastic and rubber items in the car and around the yard will last forever in the sun. It costs a lot but it works!