No one likes getting into a hot car. You open the driver’s side door and WHOOSH! You’re hit with a cloud of searing hot air. It’s as if you just opened an oven, right? But it’s only 70 degrees outside. So what gives? The sun’s light and heat can turn your vehicle’s interiors into a nasty scorching surprise. A custom car sun shade offers solid protection against excess heat and light. This quick guide explains how windshield sun shades work to keep you, your passengers and your interiors happier.
How Windshield Shades Protect Your Vehicle’s Interior
Sunlight contains UV radiation, notorious for fading pigments and deteriorating materials like plastic and cloth. But how? UV rays break chemical bonds, separating longer molecule chains into shorter ones. This can bleach colors and cause deterioration. Sun shades block UV rays, offering protection in several key ways:
- Prevents dashboard color and material from fading
- Stops upholstery from premature deterioration
- Keeps door weather stripping from rotting
- Avoids cracking or melting of electrical connections
- Shields airbags from heat damage
Windshield Shades Keep Your Interior Cooler in High Heat
We’re not going to go all Bill Nye on you, but a quick science lesson explains why you vehicle’s interior gets so hot. The simple answer is that your windows are partly to blame. Light rays, including those from the sun, have shorter wavelengths. Surfaces like your seats, carpet and dash absorb their heat energy after the light passes through the glass. While it radiates inside your vehicle’s cabin, heat’s shorter wavelengths prevent it from escaping to the outside air.
Inside vehicle temperatures on a 70-degree day can easily reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit after one hour. Dashboard and seat surface temps can 50 degrees higher or more. But sun shades block most incoming sunlight from entering your vehicle. Many models have reflective surfaces that bounce sunlight out and away from your interiors. Sun shades help you enjoy a few more key benefits:
- Internal air temperatures cooler by 15 to 20 degrees
- Surface temperatures up to 50 degrees lower
- Reduced chance of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke
- Safer interior environment for children and pets
- Lower risk of skin burns from steering wheel, seats and other surfaces
How Car Covers Offer Extra Protection
Sun shades are a fast and inexpensive means of turning down the heat inside your vehicle. But what about the exterior? The same UV rays that fade colors and break down fabrics can also do a number on your finish. Paint pigments can become dull and washed out over time. And if your car is dirty while sitting in the sun, the effects are even worse – UV radiation and dirt together can destroy its clear coat. That’s why adding car covers to your warm-weather arsenal is a wise move.
Whether you’re looking for a custom car cover, sun shades or RV covers, shopping at a reputable auto accessories dealer is important. Look for great service, positive customer feedback and a secure online shopping platform.
Read More: Safety tips for truckers in the summer
Apart from that, if you are interested to know about Waterproof Car Covers then visit our Automobile category.
