Very sunny parking spots - implications for paint

[JHZR2]

... and interior life...

Hi,

The driveway at our home gets a lot of afternoon sun. Direct, strong sunlight, talking 120F if you stick a thermometer out there (air temp lower, of course). The way our house/garage/deck is setup, its not really feasible to put in a carport or coverage for the cars.

Therefore, the cars sitting outside get full sun, especially in the summer. And, given mid atlantic weather, its not just hot, strong sun like in Arizona or New Mexico, it is the rain too...

I ALWAYS use a reflective windshield visor, and I have black mesh stick-in covers for the side windows and the rear window.

However, what are the implications for long-term life of the paint, call it 10-20 years? Is sun or rain worse for the life of the paint?

Will a wax or other product provide substantially longer paint life, or will it just provide shine and water beading?

My goal is to keep the paint as new as possible, indefinitely... despite being in the sun. What products would be best for this? I already use 303 regularly on the plastic/rubber parts... but its the paint that worries me.

Does havng extra coats of wax or sealant help? Is there a product or additive that can provide superior UV and sunlight protection?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Again, the goal is to keep paint in the sun as-new for as long as possible.

Thanks in advance,

JMH

 

[sunfire]

Megs NXT 2.0 is their strongest long lasting synthetic wax. You can layer the coats because this is a pure wax. Can't tell you if your car will make 20 years but Megs has been making waxes over 100 years.

They also have UV protectants for the interior.

Quote:
New Hydrophobic Polymer Technology™ provides relentless water beading and protection against oxidation, corrosion, UV rays and surface degradation. “Hydrophobic” means “water-fearing” and this new breakthrough technology builds such incredible protection and surface tension that water beads up and just glides off your paint finish, wash after wash!

 

[Turk]

Yep, great stuff.

For the interior, get some Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber Treatment also. It is top notch stuff, not shiny & a UV Protectant.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

If you can't garage the car the next best thing is a good car cover, ($60 or so from Walmart).
It will make a huge difference.

Waxes and sealants, although super important for protecting the paint and interior can only do so much, and they can't prevent the heat that also damages auto interiors.

The car will still get a bit hot in the summer sun with the cover, but much less so than if left uncovered, I always crack the windows even with the cover on, and I don't have to worry if it rains.

Also, a cover filters UV rays and keeps off the bird droppings and such, the latter of which can do serious paint damage if not washed off quickly, as the acids in some bird droppings can etch the paint.

I had one big bird dropping I left on an old car too long and it eventually burned through to the primer.

 

[VK56VD]

How about the Klasse AIO followed by Klasse sealant?

 

[sunfire]

If you really want to wax your car correctly. You should wash it with car wash (not dish wash) soap. And you should claybar the car surface before applying wax. This will remove bonded contaminants and smooth the surface. So the wax can adhere to the paint better.

 

[JHZR2]

NXT has some very slight abrasive, or so I thought... it can be layered?

Ive found collinite to be the longest lasting. But w.r.t UV and sunlight, Im not sure. I have no problem layeringmultiple products, and buying what I need. I use a lot of Klasse AIO, but its usually topped with a few things. I dont mind adding something if it really helps protect.

The problem with car covers frm what Ive seen is that if the paint isnt perfectly clean, it can rub the dirt in, the covers are not water tight, so you can have moisture buildup underneath, and if there is even slight, constant wind, the contact points can get worn... but for te really hot days it might be worth it. Any thoughts on a good brand of cover? Ive only ever used the high-end autozone ones.

Thanks,

JMH

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
How about the Klasse AIO followed by Klasse sealant?


I'm sure Klasse, Zano, and others are good products too. I stick with Megs because they have a nice community forums with their products. They tell you the proper techniques which is very important when car detailing.

They explain how their products work. Where as other companies don't.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
NXT has some very slight abrasive, or so I thought... it can be layered?


I'm pretty sure NXT contains a bit of polish to make the paint shine but I am certain it does not contain any abrasives that would remove any previous coats.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
The problem with car covers frm what Ive seen is that if the paint isnt perfectly clean, it can rub the dirt in, the covers are not water tight, so you can have moisture buildup underneath, and if there is even slight, constant wind, the contact points can get worn... but for te really hot days it might be worth it. Any thoughts on a good brand of cover? Ive only ever used the high-end autozone ones.

Thanks

Granted, car covers do have their drawbacks. They are not waterproof, (or otherwise they couldn't breath), and naturally you don't want to put a cover on dirty car. Also, they only last about two or three years for best performance.

However, considering the alternatives I think the benefits outweigh the negative aspects, and I personally noticed my cars looked worse over time when left uncovered. Plastics deteriorate, colors fade, etc.

The Autozone covers are good, the Walmart covers do the job as well.

 

[RTexasF]

NXT 2.0 has a small amount of cleaning ingredients but it is a sealant in spite of the word wax on the label. Good stuff for the price.

If you keep the paint clean, polished, and protected it will indeed lengthen the life of it. Oxidation and peeling clear coat are what you are trying to prevent happening over time. Establish a quarterly regime of maintenance for the paint, dash, & plastics and it will look great for many moons.

 

[chiefsfan]

I have to part outside every day while at work. I have used Zaino products for the last 8 years on my 11 year old dark red Monte Carlo. The paint still looks new.
I tried a car cover on previous cars and it abraded them in the wind. I think you need to have a clean car to start with. Car covers were a hassle especially if it rained on them.
I also had the windows tinted and use sunshades all the time under the windshield. I custom made sunshades for the side windows for the summer. My interior looks new also. I use 303 protectant because it does not shine a lot. I don't like glossy.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

For next 20 years I'd rarther worry for the pillars rusting inside out and not detectable till the last moment. Any factory filler wax in upper body crevices would dry except the plastic sheet sandwiched bitumens. I once measured 140°F in glovebox while outside was only 85°. Paint probably will pulverize.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I've always (at work) chosen to park outside in direct sunlight as opposed to under a tree. Sap is acidic (especially from pine trees) and can do much more damage than sunlight.

Always use a good wax (apply in the spring just before summer) to protect the finish. I use PoorBoys EX Sealant (with Carnuba) and find that it lasts about 6 months (still beads up in the rain). If I park under a tree in the rain, the beading is gone.

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

My red Yaris is about a month old.
The first day I got it I waxed with gold class,and it really brought out the metallic flakes in the paint.
I waxed again today with nxt,and it doesn't seem to shine as good as gold class.
Anyone else notice this with their paint?
I probably wont be able to wax again until spring,hopefully the nxt is as good as they say.

 

[RTexasF]

NXT 2.0 tends to mute flake as opposed to bringing it out like DuraGloss #105 for instance. Wax also enhances flake but traditionally has a short lifespan. The exception is Collinite waxes. NXT 2.0 is a sealant with a light cleaning ability, it contains no wax. It does make colors darker and appear more rich but reduces the brilliance of flake in the paint. I only use it on light colored cars because of this........for what it's worth.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: RTexasF
NXT 2.0 tends to mute flake as opposed to bringing it out like DuraGloss #105 for instance. Wax also enhances flake but traditionally has a short lifespan. The exception is Collinite waxes. NXT 2.0 is a sealant with a light cleaning ability, it contains no wax. It does make colors darker and appear more rich but reduces the brilliance of flake in the paint. I only use it on light colored cars because of this........for what it's worth.


On the flip side, on my black Corvette I found Gold Class gave the finish more of a "muted" look to it, sort of like a "soft shine" while NXT 2.0 gives it a real dark crisp look that makes the car shine like a mirror making reflections extremely clear.

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

I'm guessing every paint has different characteristics depending on how and what it's applied over.
I plan on sticking with the Gold Class during the summer as my paint has some really nice flake to it.
I'll save the nxt for my winter protection.

 

[oilboy123]

Having my car in Near Seattle area gets a good amount of rain. When I moved down to San Diego for 2.5 years I could see a fair amount of sun damage in a short amount of time.

I use a sun shade and tinted windows.

 

[MKZman]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Having my car in Near Seattle area gets a good amount of rain. When I moved down to San Diego for 2.5 years I could see a fair amount of sun damage in a short amount of time.

I use a sun shade and tinted windows.


Was it just due to the sun or other environmemtal issues (pollution, salt in the air ??).