When it’s sunny out, you take care of your skin by using sunscreen, wearing a hat, and simply not being in the sun too long.
But you may not realize that those same UV rays you protect yourself against could be damaging your car’s interior, too.
No matter how much sun your area gets, window tints can help guard against interior damage. Here are some ways that the sun can damage your vehicle’s interior (that window tints can prevent).
Seat upholstery can deteriorate due to excessive sun exposure. For example, sunlight can dry out the oils in your leather seats, leading to dryness and cracking in the upholstery.
Messes and debris can work together with sunlight to leave unsightly marks in the upholstery, too. The warm sunlight can bake things like food and dirt particles directly into the material.
Aside from getting your windows tinted, keep your car clean to prevent upholstery deterioration.
The dashboard sees a lot of sun exposure already due to the windshield. The windows only exacerbate the problem.
Prolonged exposure to heat from the sun can lead to dashboard cracks (sort of like with leather upholster), which are quite unsightly.
While you may not be able to block sunlight from the windshield, tinting your windows can significantly reduce your dashboard’s sun exposure and make it last longer.
Electrical Component Damage
Beyond interior aesthetics, your electrical components — such as your radio, nav/infotainment system, and wiring — can suffer damage from UV rays.
When your car sits in the sun too long, electrical wiring may expand or even melt, leading to potential costly malfunctions. Consequently, spending some money on window tints can save you from a large repair bill down the line.
Damage to Rubber Weather Stripping
The weather stripping around your car’s doors keeps your interior comfortable. It keeps out dirt and debris kicked up while driving.
But even this stripping can be damaged by the sun’s rays. If that happens, it won’t be able to keep debris out of your car’s cabin. Window tints again come in handy here.
Lastly, sunlight can cause safety issues in your vehicle. In the summer, under excessive sunlight, your car’s temperature can reach a point where safety components like airbags are damaged. In a similar vein to our earlier tip, damage to electrical components can cause your modern driver safety features to stop working.
Also, all that heat transfers to items like your steering wheel and dashboard. If these get too hot, and you forget about it, you could inadvertently burn yourself when getting into your car before you let other climate controls cool everything down.
One of the most effective ways to block out the sun's harmful UV rays from your vehicle’s interior is to get your windows tinted. In addition to protecting your interior, window tints can make your vehicle less of a target for thieves. Plus, tints can enhance your car’s aesthetic.
Car Pretty has provided window tinting in Philadelphia for over 20 years. Our experts not only install the film, but educate you about the benefits of tinting and the legalities around the practice. Contact us today if you’re interested in getting a car tint!