It’s that time of year again. Spring is here and summer is just around the corner — which means the temperature is about to start rising.
Sydney is renowned for its fantastic sunny weather and from October onwards we get to enjoy balmy afternoons, copious amounts of sunshine and plenty of excuses to go to the beach. However, while the warmer months might bring plenty of time for fun, they also bring new risks to your car’s paint.
Your car’s paint is designed to cope in most types of weather. But Sydney’s extremes — particularly in the warmer parts of the year — can certainly test those limits.
So if you want to protect your car in Sydney’s unpredictable summer, while not disrupting your recreation time, you’ll want to hear our tips and tricks for preventing damage caused by the weather. Read on!
What challenges does your car face in hot temperature challenges?
Summer might be the most well-travelled season — school holidays, warm weather and a lot of holidays. But it can have a big impact on your vehicle.
There are two key ways the sun can damage your car’s paint.
The first one is UV light. The clearcoat in modern car paint is highly UV resistant but, over time, the protective properties in this clearcoat can break down. This deterioration happens progressively over a period of time causing an oxidation which can appear in a number of ways: dull paint, fading or even developing a white crust on its surface. Over time, this paintwork will also peel off.
The other impact comes not just the sun itself, but its interaction with foreign substances. Much of what ends up on your car’s surface is acidic, including dead bugs, tree sap and bird droppings. These acids can break down car paint and the sun only increases that process.
It means there are plenty of risks to your car paint while you’re enjoying some fun in the sun.
Check out our blog post on: Will parking my car in the sun cause the need for a car paint repair?
Are there any other risks?
Sydneysiders know that sun isn’t the only thing on the cards in spring and summer — this time of year also brings plenty of storms too.
Hailstones, which can be commonplace in Sydney storms, can create a serious problem for car paint. Hailstones will not only leave scratches in paint but they can also leave indentations in your clear coat which will eventually lift the paint away over time. Large hailstones will also leave dents in your car which will need to be fixed by a professional.
What can I do to protect my car?
There are a number of actions you can take to ensure your car is protected from extreme weather.
The most obvious is behavioural changes. In hot, sunny weather, consider leaving your car in a garage where possible or use a car cover. Shady areas can also be useful on hot days to ensure your paint isn’t sitting out in the elements, although try to avoid leaving your car under trees given the potential for tree sap to land on your car exterior.
This is doubly important when the forecast has the potential for hail. Hail can be extremely unpredictable but, where possible, try to keep your car under cover, whether it’s a garage, carport or car cover.
Foreign objectives are harder to avoid entirely. Instead, you should ensure you’re providing regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent these from accumulating, as well as protect your paint’s clear coat from the sun.
This means ensuring you’re polishing or waxing your car regularly, which will help prolong your paint and avoid acid compounds from breaking down your car’s paint colour. Getting your car waved should be a part of your regular car-washing schedule.
Luckily, if you need help maintaining your car’s paintwork, Bumpertek can help!
Bumpertek’s car paint repair service includes a buff and polish to ensure your paintwork is looking the best it can.
If you live in Sydney or its surrounding area and need a buff and polish — or a car paint repair — reach out to us today to get your free, no-obligation quote. Help retain the value — and aesthetic appeal — of your car. Call us today!