You’re well aware of the dangers too much sun exposure poses to human skin. You can get painful sunburns — and too much can even increase the risk of skin cancer.

However, your skin isn’t the only thing at risk. The UV rays that the sun emits can harm your interior in many ways. Over time, your interior may look worse, and the sun can even lead to safety or operational issues.

With that in mind, here are some ways the sun’s UV rays threaten your car’s interior.

1. Dashboard Damage and Fading

Sure, it’s nice to go for a windows-down (or roof-down if you have a convertible) drive on a warm, sunny day. However, the combination of heat and UV radiation can lead to plenty of wear and fading of your dashboard over time, especially when leaving your car out in the sun for a long period of time.

The dashboard won’t just fade, though — it can start to crack. This isn’t pretty to look at, and costly damage may even occur.

2. Electrical Component Damage

Various electrical components are at risk of damage due to the sun’s rays when left exposed to the hot sun for extended time periods. The wiring and other components can expand, break, or melt under extreme heat, leading to expensive repairs and headaches. With tinted windows, you can minimize the risk of this happening.

3. Upholstery Deterioration

Similar to your dashboard, your upholstery can deteriorate in lots of sunlight. Leather seats can stiffen and crack, while fabric may get dry and start rotting.

Additionally, the sun can bake dirt, spills, and other messes into your seats, leaving unsightly stains that are tough to remove. By keeping your car clean and installing window tints, you can minimize the risk of this happening.

4. Damage to Weather Stripping

Your rubber weather stripping around your doors keeps out the elements, as well as dust and debris. Unfortunately, the sun can cause the stripping to rot, which means your drives will get a lot less comfortable.

By shielding your interior from the sun with shade and tinted windows, you can keep your weather stripping safe.

5. Occupant Safety

On warm, sunny days, metal and rubber components can get quite hot. You and other occupants could experience burns when touching these before they have a chance to cool. This isn’t to mention possible excessive sun exposure and sunburns that young children may experience due to having more delicate skin.

Additionally, some safety features can be compromised due to excessive heat. For example, airbags can be damaged under enough heat and not work properly — leading to potentially life-threatening consequences.

At a minimum, you can keep your vehicle safe from the sun by parking it in the shade as much as possible. If you have a garage or carport parking spot, that’s excellent.

Window tints offer an additional layer of protection, blocking out rays no matter where your car is. Whether you have no protection from the sun or want to add an extra layer, come to Car Pretty and check out our window tinting services. Our professionals can both install the tints and educate you about local laws surrounding tints. Come on in today!

Did you recently get your windows tinted? Good choice. Window tints enhance your car’s look, protects you and your interior from the sun’s UV rays, keeps the interior cool, and make your car less of a target for thieves at night.

With the right care, a professionally-installed window tint can last up to 10 years. Make sure you know these window tint maintenances do’s and don’ts to make your tints last as long as possible.

Do:

Clean Your Tints

You can and should clean your tints regularly — about every other week. Otherwise, dirt and debris can build up. This buildup can lead to unsightly staining or streaks.

Wash and Dry With Microfiber Cloths or a Squeegee

Tints are durable enough to withstand regular elements, but you could scratch them through direct contact if you aren’t careful. When washing your car, use a microfiber cloth or squeegee to tend to your windows.

Avoid Direct Sunlight After Washing

Window tints are meant to keep your interior safe from the sun, but they need to dry first before you stick your car in sunlight. Otherwise, the sun could dry your car unevenly and create plenty of staining and streaks.

Instead, let your car dry in a shaded area, such as in a garage or under a carport.

Don’t:

Use the Wrong Cleaning Chemicals

Some cleaning chemicals — ammonia-based cleaners in particular — are a bit too harsh for your window tints. Using them can wear down the tints prematurely, meaning you’ll have to go install new tints much sooner.

The tint-friendly solution is to use either soap and water or a cleaner with natural/naturally-derived ingredients.

Skip the Interior

Most people focus their cleaning efforts on the exterior of their vehicles. You should too, but remember, tints are installed on your window’s inner pane. Take some extra time to gently clean the inside of your window with your soap and water/naturally-derived cleaner and microfiber cloth.

Tend to the Edges

It’s odd that you’d want to avoid cleaning an area, but your tint is most vulnerable at its edges. If you attempt to clean the edges of the tint, you risk damaging this area.

That said, there will be times when junk builds up at the edges of your tint. In this case, be as gentle as humanly possible. Use a soft cloth and be delicate when cleaning.

If you’re looking for professional window tinting services in Philadelphia, you’ve come to the right place. Car Pretty has been satisfying customers with quality workmanship for over 2 decades. We don’t just install the tints — we also educate you about the legalities of having tints on your car. If you’re interested in our tinting services, please contact us today.