The Costly Mistake of Covering Your Car in Summer Heat
A driver looking to shield his vehicle from the harmful effects of the summer heat and scorching sun got the shock of his life. The driver, who had covered his car with a tarpaulin to protect its paint from sunburn, was met with an unexpected sight when he removed the protective cover: The poor-quality plastic coating on the inside of the tarp had melted due to the extreme heat and had completely adhered to the body of the car.
The long-standing debate among car enthusiasts about whether car covers are beneficial or harmful was reignited by this startling incident. Experts are warning that improper use of a tarp and selection of low-quality materials can completely ruin a flawless paint job.
Car owners often believe that tarpaulin fabric directly scratches the paint.
However, the reality is quite different. Here are the most common myths and facts about car covers:
Myth: The tarp fabric scratches the paint.
Fact: The inner lining of quality covers is soft and does not damage the paint. The real cause of scratches is the dust and dirt particles left on the vehicle surface before the cover is applied, which creates a sandpaper effect during the movement of the tarp in the wind.
Myth: A completely waterproof tarp is the best.
Fact: Cheap plastic tarps that are 100% waterproof behave like a trash bag. They keep the rain out but trap the moisture and condensation rising from the ground inside. When the sun comes out, this trapped moisture heats up, causing the paint to blister and the varnish to take on a milky, cloudy color.
Myth: The car can be covered at any time.
Fact: A dirty car should never be covered with a tarp. Microscopic dust and brake dust accumulated from daily journeys turn into abrasives that scratch the paint as soon as the cover is applied.
The clear varnish layer of your vehicle is quite sensitive.
There are three main factors that turn a car cover from a protector into a punisher:
1. Sandpaper Effect (Dust): When a dusty surface is covered and wind is added to the equation, the car cover strikes the edges and corners of the vehicle, creating circular micro scratches, also known as swirl marks.
2. Greenhouse Effect (Humidity): The trapped water vapor under low-quality, non-breathable covers, when combined with the heat of the sun, penetrates deep into the paint and triggers rusting in the long run.
3. Harsh Seams and Cheap Plastic: Budget-friendly, single-layer covers lack a polar or microfiber inner lining. These cheap fabrics quickly dry and harden under the sun's UV rays, scratch the paint when being put on or taken off, and can melt and stick to the hood in extreme heat.
Utilizing a high-quality, multi-layered, and breathable custom-sewn tarpaulin actually provides the utmost level of protection.
However, to take advantage of this benefit, the following steps should be carefully considered:
Always Wash Before Covering: Never cover your vehicle without thoroughly washing and drying it. If there is only a light dust on the vehicle, remove it with a quick detailer spray and a clean microfiber cloth before covering.
Never Leave It Wet: Never lay a cover over a wet car or use a cover that has been left damp inside.
Don't Drag, Fold: Don't remove the cover from the vehicle by pulling and dragging it. Roll the sides towards the roof and carefully fold it from the front and back towards the center.
Pre-Armor the Paint: Applying a quality polish, paint protection, or ceramic coating to your vehicle minimizes the friction between the paint and the cover.
Choose a Cover Specific to Your Vehicle: Instead of standard, loose covers that fit any car, opt for products that are tailored to your vehicle's make and model, fully covering the mirrors and bumpers. This prevents the wind from lifting the cover like a sail and hitting the car.
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