Did you know that the earth is a mere 92 million miles away from that blazing ball of gas in the center of our Solar System? While that seems like a long-distance, it’s relatively short in an interstellar point of view.
While we depend on the sun’s warmth, and Superman needs those UV rays to supply his Kryptonian superpowers, it causes nothing but havoc on the paint jobs of our daily drivers and garage queens. UV damage is a constant threat to car owners across the globe.
From being a major source of oxidation to fading or causing the paint to peel, sunlight continues to cause frustration to vehicle owners. But there are a few ways that car owners can protect their paint, plastic trim, headlights, and other vehicle components from sun damage. That’s what we’ll explore today.
In the information below, we’ll provide a guide that explores what causes sun damage to vehicles, how to protect it, and the benefits to using a high-quality car paint sealant or ceramic coating to provide an SFP 1 Million level of sunblock.
HOW DOES THE SUN DAMAGE CAR PAINT?
For those who are fair of skin (like me), dealing with sunburn and the potential of being sunburned is a daily struggle. The leading cause of sunburn is ultraviolet radiation that is produced by the sun over 92,000,000 miles away from earth. The same cause of sunburn is also the root issue that causes the paint to become damaged over time.
For those who are not fully aware, ultraviolet or UV light is invisible yet extremely powerful. It emits a band within the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength that measures anywhere from 10 nanometers to 400 nanometers; which measures shorter than visible light and longer than x-rays. It occurs naturally in sunlight and represents about 10 percent of the complete electromagnetic radiation output of the sun.
So – why does it cause damage to car paint?
Well, quite simply, it’s a potent energy producer that stimulates a surface to react when it hit. It produces a quick burst of energy, which is given off as heat but also results in molecular bonds that break.
Over time, it begins to break down the molecules found in automotive paints, clear coats, and other materials, which causes it to be less reflective or transmit less brilliance of ‘color’ that our eyes see. This is known as the dulling effect that UV light is responsible for creating with automotive paints, plastic trims, headlights, and even automotive glass, tires, and wheels.
DOES UV LIGHT CAUSE SOME CAR COLORS FADE FASTER?
It is a statement of fact that some colors of automotive paints or more susceptible to becoming damaged by ultraviolet rays. You see, every color that we see has a unique wavelength that it produces. And each automotive paint color is engineered to absorb all the wavelengths in the visual spectrum – except the one that is associated with that color.
So basically, red automotive paint absorbs everything – except for red. The red is refracted from the surface, streamed into our visual cortex, and tells our brain, “Hey, this is red – dude”.
Red is one of those paints that tend to ‘fade’ more due to UV light. This is because it’s that tiny wavelength of energy that is represented in light that is visible. It appears ‘faded’ because UV light breaks down the molecules in “red paint” more aggressively than others. You’ll see this same issue with minor blends of ‘reds’ such as purples or oranges.
OTHER FACTORS THAT EXPEDITE THE BREAKDOWN OF PAINT MOLECULES BY UV LIGHT
UV rays are the primary source of paint fading and degradation. However, there are additional environmental considerations that can accelerate damage to the paint – or specifically, the clear coats.
Dirty Cars
When a car is dirty, it is covered with contaminants that slowly eat away at the clear coat or the surface of a porous material. Over time these contaminants and debris can weaken the protection of clear coatings. This accelerates the process of UV light penetration and thus oxidation.
The simple act of keeping your car clean by washing a vehicle every two weeks can significantly reduce the potential for paint damage caused by UV radiation.
Bird Shit and Bug Splatters
Animal by-products such as bird droppings, tree sap, or bug guts contain high levels of acids that also accelerate UV radiation damage with automotive paints and other surfaces. Bird crap specifically contains high levels of uric acid, which can begin to break down clear-coated paint in a matter of hours.
Combined with the heating and energy-stimulating attributes of sun exposure, this provides a mecca for paint damage to occur. Using a product with UV protection is the best way to also protect the exterior from acids found in animal byproducts.
Salt and Road Grime
Salt is another contaminant that opens the door for UV light damage to occur in the automotive component. Sodium Chloride can also quickly penetrate a protective surface, whether it’s car wax, clear coating, or even some automotive paint sealant products. Road grime is a combination of chemical toxins like tar, gravel, and oils that likewise slowly open the door for UV rays to do their dirty work.
