Cars parked in the sun

floridaorange · 05-27-2023, 06:30 AM

My wife’s xc90 sits in the sun probably half the day before shade from our oak tree helps block the rays. What do you reccomend for keeping the car protected from the rather constant sun exposure?

Clark_Kent · 05-27-2023, 07:22 AM

The interior or exterior?

floridaorange · 05-27-2023, 08:51 AM

Exterior.

CarsAndGuitars · 05-27-2023, 09:00 AM

Any rubber seals, matte black etc can be treated with 303 Aerospace protectant

Burrcold · 05-27-2023, 10:09 AM

Go to an old school detailer and get it waxed a few times a year. Get a sunshade for the interior.

DocL · 05-27-2023, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Go to an old school detailer and get it waxed a few times a year. Get a sunshade for the interior.

The sunshade really helps prevent the UV damage to the interior along with window tint.

Westside Guy · 05-27-2023, 12:08 PM

Have you considered a car cover?

overcoil · 05-27-2023, 01:28 PM

I think the flat panels: hood, roof, hatch take the brunt of the sun so washing - which I think in itself is helpful, plus carnuba wax ( or any wax which claims UV protection ) will work exceptionally at preventing UV damage.
But I would suggest complete washing and waxing those horizontal panels monthly.

Also try to park where the headlight lenses hit the minimal sun exposure.
If polycarbonate or some similar plastic they might yellow from constant sun exposure.

floridaorange · 05-27-2023, 02:44 PM

I use a car shade for the interior for her (she usually doesn’t - shocker). I use a spray wax, wash bi-weekly, will go the carnuba route. Thank you.

floridaorange · 05-27-2023, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarsAndGuitars

Any rubber seals, matte black etc can be treated with 303 Aerospace protectant

Just ordered a bottle thank you for the info

StradaRedlands · 05-27-2023, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Just ordered a bottle thank you for the info

Same here... will be a run on them at Amazon!

CarsAndGuitars · 05-27-2023, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Just ordered a bottle thank you for the info

It is basically what armorAll should be without the slime.

Also great for interior dash, door and console surfaces. But I would recommend not using on seating surfaces, shifter, levers and especially not steering wheel, as it is a bit slick.

Looks fantastic on matte black trim

M5Rick · 05-27-2023, 05:18 PM

Garage is full of stuff so a canopy cover goes on it to protect the top half and a weekly wash with a shampoo containing carnauba wax looks after the rest.

P1 · 05-27-2023, 07:52 PM

Just keep a nice layer of sealant on there and call it a day.

GERMAN M3 · 05-27-2023, 08:27 PM

Can’t go wrong with this combo.

arucano · 05-27-2023, 09:46 PM

Carnauba is not suitable for hot / extended direct sunlight. Use a good sealant instead. There are many from reputable brands. My E39 sat outside for years, after the garage shrunk and looked absolutely great when I used the sealant. Most sealants don't give the depth of a carnauba shine but that is probably not you priority

Forzanerazzurri · 05-28-2023, 02:26 AM

Ralph III · 05-28-2023, 09:55 AM

It really depends on how often you wash and wax your vehicle!

Carnauba waxes do offer UV protection but they only last for a few weeks, as others have stated. As long as you wax your vehicle once a month or so, then you'd be perfectly fine.

Whereas Sealants can offer protection up to 6 months or so. I often use Eagle One "Wax as You Dry" or a spray wax/sealant after washing. So, our vehicles always have a good protective layer. It also makes it easier to wash next time, because contaminants are less likely to stick to the paint.

I still apply Carnauba on occasion for the look, but I depend on the sealants for the protection. I managed a detail business for 14 years, btw. I've also done quite a bit of professional automotive painting. Mostly for myself and family/friends.

I don't typically recommend car covers because those can scratch the paint surface and cause water to sit on the surface. I would recommend using sunshades to help protect the interior though.

Take care,
Ralph

P1 · 05-28-2023, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GERMAN M3

Can’t go wrong with this combo.

I couldn't agree more! 845 is a bit of a pain to apply and remove unless you go really, really thin. But Power Lock has been my go-to for years and years.

bmw1racer · 05-28-2023, 12:53 PM

Car cover.

I put the cover on my car every day when I'm at work and the exterior and interior are as good as day one.

DanG · 05-28-2023, 01:37 PM

I just use Groit’s Liquid Glass Poly wax. My 5+ year old M2 looks like new. I do have a sun screen for the windshield. No added tint.

Westside Guy · 05-28-2023, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Car cover.

I put the cover on my car every day when I'm at work and the exterior and interior are as good as day one.

Companies like California Car Covers, make fairly lightweight all-weather covers which are user-friendly, easy to put on and takeoff and will give the car protection from the sun. 😎

05-27-2023, 07:22 AM	#2
Clark_Kent Lieutenant Colonel 2311 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: Retired Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	The interior or exterior?
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05-27-2023, 09:00 AM	#4
CarsAndGuitars Lieutenant 2087 Rep 544 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	Any rubber seals, matte black etc can be treated with 303 Aerospace protectant
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05-27-2023, 10:09 AM	#5
Burrcold Brigadier General 6467 Rep 4,647 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Go to an old school detailer and get it waxed a few times a year. Get a sunshade for the interior. __________________ Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive \| 2022 Audi Q7 Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 \| 2020 BMW M340i \| 2019 Audi RS5
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05-27-2023, 12:08 PM	#7
Westside Guy Major General 7433 Rep 5,279 Posts Drives: 22 Z4 M40i, 21 228i Retired Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.72]	Have you considered a car cover?
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05-27-2023, 01:28 PM	#8
overcoil Major General 3133 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	I think the flat panels: hood, roof, hatch take the brunt of the sun so washing - which I think in itself is helpful, plus carnuba wax ( or any wax which claims UV protection ) will work exceptionally at preventing UV damage. But I would suggest complete washing and waxing those horizontal panels monthly. Also try to park where the headlight lenses hit the minimal sun exposure. If polycarbonate or some similar plastic they might yellow from constant sun exposure.
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05-27-2023, 05:18 PM	#13
M5Rick General 70634 Rep 22,561 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: GB iTrader: (0)	Garage is full of stuff so a canopy cover goes on it to protect the top half and a weekly wash with a shampoo containing carnauba wax looks after the rest.
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05-27-2023, 07:52 PM	#14
P1 Lieutenant General 11734 Rep 11,191 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Just keep a nice layer of sealant on there and call it a day.
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05-27-2023, 08:27 PM	#15
GERMAN M3 Lieutenant Colonel 4230 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp. Join Date: May 2015 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	Can’t go wrong with this combo. Attached Images __________________
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05-27-2023, 09:46 PM	#16
arucano Captain 263 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 Grand Coupe CP Join Date: May 2017 Location: Kingwood TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M6 GC [10.00]	Carnauba is not suitable for hot / extended direct sunlight. Use a good sealant instead. There are many from reputable brands. My E39 sat outside for years, after the garage shrunk and looked absolutely great when I used the sealant. Most sealants don't give the depth of a carnauba shine but that is probably not you priority __________________ F06 M6 Grand Coupe CP Sapphire Black Metallic The drive is the destination
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05-28-2023, 02:26 AM	#17
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6991 Rep 3,275 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]
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05-28-2023, 09:55 AM	#18
Ralph III Private First Class 122 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 650i Gran Coupe Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	It really depends on how often you wash and wax your vehicle! Carnauba waxes do offer UV protection but they only last for a few weeks, as others have stated. As long as you wax your vehicle once a month or so, then you'd be perfectly fine. Whereas Sealants can offer protection up to 6 months or so. I often use Eagle One "Wax as You Dry" or a spray wax/sealant after washing. So, our vehicles always have a good protective layer. It also makes it easier to wash next time, because contaminants are less likely to stick to the paint. I still apply Carnauba on occasion for the look, but I depend on the sealants for the protection. I managed a detail business for 14 years, btw. I've also done quite a bit of professional automotive painting. Mostly for myself and family/friends. I don't typically recommend car covers because those can scratch the paint surface and cause water to sit on the surface. I would recommend using sunshades to help protect the interior though. Take care, Ralph
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05-28-2023, 12:53 PM	#20
bmw1racer bimmerphile, technogeek 1016 Rep 3,802 Posts Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Car cover. I put the cover on my car every day when I'm at work and the exterior and interior are as good as day one. __________________
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05-28-2023, 01:37 PM	#21
DanG Major General 11521 Rep 7,173 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [8.01]	I just use Groit’s Liquid Glass Poly wax. My 5+ year old M2 looks like new. I do have a sun screen for the windshield. No added tint. __________________ BMWCCA member Puget Sound Chapter
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