How To Protect Your Car’s Paint From The Elements

Your car is a big investment, and you probably rely on it for many aspects of your life. That’s why it’s incredibly frustrating to discover paint damage on it, like fading from the sun, scratches, or even corrosion from wintertime road salt.

But if you frequently park outside, or often drive on highways where debris can hit your car at high speeds (which you probably do!), it might seem like there isn’t much you can do to protect your car’s paint.

At this point, you might have even resigned yourself to believing that paint damage and fading is simply normal wear and tear on your vehicle. 

Fortunately, we’re here to let you know that it’s not– it can be avoided!

What causes paint damage?

One of the major causes of paint damage on vehicles is pretty unavoidable: the sun.

You already know that the sun’s harmful UV rays can put people at increased risk of skin cancer and can cause sunburns and lots of other problems. But you might not realize that UV rays are bad for your car’s paint job, too!

In fact, if your car’s been exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, you might notice oxidation on your paint job.

This means that the clear coat that covers your car’s paint has been damaged, which can majorly fade the paint color and make your car look a lot older and more beat-up than it actually is.

The sun isn’t the only cause of potential paint damage, though. Things you might not expect can also really mess up your paint job!

For example, if you park under a tree, you might get tree sap on your vehicle– which, over time, can damage the clear coat and become nearly impossible to remove without causing further damage.

Other potentially damaging things include brake fluid and gasoline, insects, and bird droppings.

What can I do to protect my car’s paint?

Although it might be hard to avoid the sun, and things like tree sap and bird droppings, you don’t have to resign yourself to a faded or damaged paint job.

Fortunately, there is a solution that can protect your car from all of the above, keeping your car’s paint job looking as shiny and fresh as the day you got it.

DYNOshield paint protection film is a clear film that protects your car from the elements. 

You can choose to apply it over your entire vehicle, or simply choose the parts of your car that are the most likely to receive damage, like your bumpers.

Paint protection film is designed to stop UV rays from damaging the clear coat of your vehicle, keeping the color of your paint looking fresh and vibrant. It also provides an added layer of protection between your car and things like gravel, insects, tree sap, and bird droppings.

One of the best things about paint protection film is that you can’t see it! It functions a lot like a vinyl wrap, but doesn’t change your car’s appearance– simply providing protection and some added gloss.

Who can install paint protection film on my car?

When seeking out a professional to apply protective film to your car, you’ll want to find someone who’s highly experienced at installation. Improperly applied film with bumps or bubbles can leave your car susceptible to the elements or even trap moisture underneath!

At Autobahn, we’re experts at applying protective film to keep your car looking amazing. If you’re ready to protect your car’s paint today, just give us a call!

Window Film: A Superior Investment For Your Car and Home

You probably wouldn’t go out for a day at the beach without packing some sort of sun protection– sunscreen, a hat, a coverup.

After all, exposure to the sun’s UV rays can have all kinds of negative effects on your health, and it puts you at increased risk of skin cancer.

But one thing you may not have realized is that the sun can cause major damage to just about everything, not just your skin!

What kinds of damage do UV rays cause?

In addition to causing sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer for people, UV rays that enter your home can cause discoloration and fading to your belongings.

If your home gets a lot of direct sunlight, try moving one of your carpets or framed pictures on the wall. You might notice that the color of the floor or wall is significantly darker where it was being protected from the sun!

While discoloration is obviously less of a concern than skin cancer, it’s still damage– and could be disastrous for valuable furniture or treasured family portraits.

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How does direct sunlight affect my home and vehicle?

In addition to causing fading, direct sunlight entering a home or a car can drastically increase the temperature– making the environment uncomfortable or even dangerous!

While it’s often recommended for people to put up light-colored curtains to reflect light and heat back out of their homes, you can’t cover up every window with a curtain, especially not in your car.

Properly installed window film can make your home or car a lot more comfortable during the hot summer months.

If your home is cooler and more comfortable, you won’t have to rely on your air conditioning quite as much– which means reduced energy bills! Plus, reduced energy usage is planet-friendly.

How is window film different from window tinting?

Window film and window tinting are often referred to as a single service, or mistaken for one another. They’re actually quite different!

With window tinting, the actual glass itself is tinted to reduce sun glare inside a vehicle or building. Cars with tinted windows are difficult to see inside, which can be helpful if extra privacy is needed. However, there are specific laws in place about window tinting; tints past a certain level can be dangerous for drivers and therefore illegal!

On the other hand, window film is typically clear. It doesn’t change the appearance of your home or vehicle, which means there aren’t any legal restrictions on it. Plus, unlike tinted glass, it’s a less permanent solution and can be removed if needed.

Window film is a great investment because it can reduce your energy costs by up to 60% without making any aesthetic changes to your car or your house.

How can I get window film installed?

When it comes to window film installation, it’s necessary to seek out an experienced installer. If you’d like a completely clear and undetectable film for your windows, you’ll want it to be installed smoothly and correctly– without bumps or bubbles.

To get started on protecting your car or home today, send us a message or give us a call!

THANK

YOU

An XPEL Little Rock Representative will be in touch. For immediate assistance, give us a call!