“How to protect a car that sits outside” is the first question that comes to mind when you realize your car needs protection but doesn’t have a garage and it is using a fitted cover and washing and waxing are very effective methods.
We will take you through these and other easy-to-implement tips in our guide below. So, read on to learn how to keep your investment safe.
Contents
How To Cushion a Car Sitting in an Open Parking?
To cushion a car sitting in an open parking, consider buying a fitted cover. Washing the car once a week and waxing it every month will keep its finish looking great. Always park the car in a secure area, lock it, and remove valuables to deter thieves.
A garage or decent car shelter can be an expensive facility. It would help if you prepared well before constructing one. In the meantime, you must find a way to keep your car safe when parked outside. You must keep your car safe from the weather, theft, and damage. So, read on to learn how to protect car without garage.
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Buy a Fitted Car Cover
Covers are one of the best garage alternatives to protect a car that sits outside. These covers are readily available at most auto part shops and online. While choosing a suitable covering for your vehicle, look for one that is *paint-friendly, breathable, and water-resistant. You want a cover that won’t trap moisture, so it doesn’t damage your car’s paint in the long run.
Take note that car covers are only ideal for cars parked outside for an extended period. If you use your vehicle regularly, a cover may offer little return on investment. Besides, constantly putting on the cover and removing it increases the risk of accidentally scratching the paint job. Also, if you use a cover, ensure the car is clean, as the dirt can damage the finish.
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Wash Your Car Often
Your car should always be clean to prevent paint-damaging dirt and debris from accumulating. Acid rain and bird droppings have acidic components that can quickly damage the finish if they sit on the car’s body for a long time. Scheduling a wash session at least once a week will keep these harmful substances at a minimum. As a result, your paintwork will remain good-looking for a longer time.
Ensure you follow through with your car maintenance even if you’ve left it to sit outside for weeks without using it. Remember to check the car battery, clean the terminals and keep it charged. It would help to buy a battery maintainer to keep your battery in good condition, especially when the vehicle sits for a long time.
Observe Appropriate Washing Practices
The importance of routinely washing a car can’t be stressed enough. However, the way you wash your car is equally important. You must observe the best car-washing techniques else you’ll be doing more harm than good.
First, avoid commercial car washes as much as possible. Embrace cleaning your car at home. Many, especially the brush-using car-drive-through washes, can scratch the finish. The harm may go unnoticed initially because the process is slow, but the damages will surface over time.
Second, you must use the appropriate car-wash soap. Steer clear of generic or dish soap. These soaps can mess with the chemicals that offer the paint job that long-lasting shine.
Third, use clean washcloths and avoid air-drying your car after washing. The water droplets left on the body can magnify the sun’s UV rays and cause hard water deposits to be embedded or etched on the surface.
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Wax Your Car at Least Once a Month
More than regular washing and proper cleaning techniques are needed to protect a car that’s parked in unsheltered spaces. Waxing will complement these two in keeping your investment safe. A suitable wax will give the vehicle the most rigid protection against bird droppings, acid rain, UV rays, and other pollutants.
The best wax for car parked outside, such as sealant wax, will build a layer of protection against the elements. Experts recommend waxing the vehicle that sits outside at least once every month for the best results. When you wax the car, dirt easily slides off without grinding into the car’s body. Waxing helps maintain the showroom-fresh shine of the vehicle.
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Mind Where You Park
Parking under a tree’s shade may help shield the car from the sun. However, you must be very cautious. The space under a tree is particularly not an option for anyone who wants to learn how to protect car from rain in open parking. Branches can break and cause costly damage.
Moreover, the pollen, sap, and other falling acorns from the trees will quickly ruin your car’s exterior. Avoid parking under trees. If you have trees with branches covering the driveway where you park, trim them back. As mentioned, the shade suits your car, but the tree droppings will cause significant harm.
Don’t hesitate to pay extra for roofed or closed-in parking. Although that type of parking is expensive, it will provide your car with additional protection from vandals and elements. A parking area with guards and security cameras would be even better in discouraging criminals from targeting your vehicle.
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Use Sun Visors
Another solution to “how to protect car from sun in open parking” is sun visors. The visors are protective materials placed on the front and rear windows to protect the inside of the car. A sun visor on the front window will protect your dashboard from the sun’s rays damage.
The visors also help protect the interior polyurethane plastics, leather, and upholstery. Putting one under the windshield or back window will slow down the wear and tear on your car interior by deflecting the ill effects of the sun’s rays.
Please ensure you don’t have volatile or flammable liquids inside the car’s storage areas while using sun visors. The fluids can react violently once heat-soaked.
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Consider Applying Exterior, and Interior Protectants
Cold climate and UV rays can quickly cause exterior plastics, moldings, and rubber to fade, dull, crack, and weaken. Applying a trim protectant at least once a month can prevent that from happening. Also, coating your reflectors and exterior lights with a high-quality UV protective solution will repel heat, bird droppings, and many other pollutants. It will make your car easier to clean.
Moreover, consider applying an interior protectant to complement the sun shade or sun visors. It will help reduce the sun’s and cold temperature’s effect on the dashboard and the seats.
Note that paint and vinyl wraps can also protect your vehicle from extreme weather and passersby scratches and scuffs. Applying ceramic coating or sealant at least once a year will also go a long way in keeping minor scratches at a minimum.
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Lock Your Vehicle and Hide Valuables
If your car sits in open parking, you must leave it locked at all times. An unlocked vehicle that’s parked outdoors will easily invite thieves. Avoid leaving the windows and sunroof open. If you do so, your car will be more vulnerable to theft and susceptible to weather damage.
Moreover, ensure you remove or hide valuables, such as laptops, smartphones, briefcases, and purses. Thieves usually walk along parked vehicles glancing inside for valuable items. Leaving an item exposed will increase the risk of your car falling victim to theft.
Take note that if your car doesn’t have a factory alarm, consider installing an aftermarket one. Car alarms effectively deter thieves and alert you of any theft attempt. They are a great place to start for anyone that wants to learn how to protect car from theft.
Conclusion
We have discussed several tips to protect a car that sits outside in our guide above.
Before we leave, here’s a summary:
- Wash your car often, observe proper washing techniques, and remember to wax it at least once a month.
- Covers can only effectively protect a vehicle that is parked over a long time and not one that is used regularly.
- Always leave your vehicle fully closed and remove valuables from sight to discourage thieves from targeting the car.
- Sun visors will minimize the ill effect of the sun’s UV rays.
- Apply exterior and interior protectants to protect vulnerable components of your vehicle from the sun and cold weather damage.
Now you know what to do to protect your vehicle when parked outside. So, what’s left is for you to implement these tips.
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