What the sun actually does to your car

UV radiation breaks down the clear coat first, then the color coat underneath. That's why older cars in SoCal develop that chalky, faded look on the hood and roof — the panels that face the sky. Dashboards and door panels crack the same way from the inside.

The protection steps that work

Ceramic coatings are the longer-term option, but even a quality hand wax applied on schedule outperforms a coating that's never maintained.

• Wax or sealant every 3–6 months. This is the single highest-value step — it's a sacrificial layer that takes the UV hit instead of your clear coat.
• Wash regularly. Baked-on dirt and bird droppings accelerate clear-coat damage in the heat.
• Use a windshield sun shade. Interior temps drop dramatically and dash plastics last years longer.
• Park in shade or a garage when you can — obvious, but it compounds over years.

The bottom line

Sun damage is cumulative and expensive to correct. A few protected washes a year cost a fraction of a paint correction — and keep the car looking like it should.