How To Protect Your Car Upholstery? 8 Helpful Tips
Your vehicle is an expensive purchase and investment. Whether it’s new or old, you would still like to keep it in brand-new condition. One of the most expensive aspects of any vehicle is the upholstery. The last thing you would want is the upholstery needing replacement just because you were a bit lazy in terms of protecting it. Follow below for some important tips that will help you keep your vehicle looking in fresh condition. A great way to do this is by installing car window tinting. Let’s know more!
Install Auto Window Tints
When it comes to protecting your car’s upholstery, there are many ways you can keep the sunlight and UV rays out. An effective way of restricting UV rays from entering your vehicle is installing window tint films. You will find many types and shades of window tints. So, your decision will depend on multiple factors such as your budget, the type and quality of the tints, the shade, and your requirements.
Ceramic window tints tend to be the most advanced option in the market nowadays that can not only withstand the test of time but also help protect against direct contact with UV rays. These tints protect the skin health and interior of the vehicle. Both factors tend to be important especially if you drive on the highways or park the car under direct sunlight for hours during the day.
The only downside to ceramic window tints is that they are more expensive than other auto window tinting options. But these tints come with a guarantee as well. Plus, ceramic window tints are only installed by professionals. You might come across many options but you should pick the one that has the most experience. Moreover, you should avoid dyed window tints because they only provide privacy without UV protection.
Install Shades
If ceramic window tints are not an option, you can opt for shades. Shades tend to be a lot cheaper but will need to be installed and removed when needed. The best thing about shades is that they offer little to zero visibility, which means they completely block the sunlight.
However, the downside to installing shades is that you will not be able to drive at night. That said, you can use shades when you have reached your destination and the car needs to be parked under direct sunlight. Plus, some states have strict regulations pertaining to shades and other objects that might cause visibility issues. So, you might want to check with the local authorities before doing something that might cause trouble.
Crack The Windows Open
Your vehicle’s upholstery is not only affected by direct sunlight. If the temperature inside the vehicle becomes extremely hot, it could become an issue for the electronic devices as well. You see, the upholstery and other things in the interior can withstand temperatures up to a limit.
If the temperature continues to be extreme, do not be surprised if you welcome yourself inside the vehicle with some damage. Some states experience so much heat that the interior tends to melt. So, it is important to keep some windows open.
You do not have to open them halfway or completely, just enough for the heat to escape. Otherwise, pressure will build inside the vehicle, which could also lead to a fire. Plus, make sure you do not have any gaseous items in the vehicle such as perfumes, lighters, or any such thing.
There have been many incidents in the past where vehicles caught fire simply due to such items leaking and exploding due to extreme weather conditions.
Use Old T-Shirts
If both ceramic window tints and shades don’t tend to be an option, you can use old t-shirts or clothes to protect your vehicle’s upholstery. This is the most cost-effective way to ensure your vehicle remains unprotected in the sun. But you should keep in mind that cotton t-shirts or other such materials can leave scratches on the interior finish.
So, you might not want to use the same clothes to clean the interior. Plus, you should also invest in a polish that provides a protective layer over the interior to keep things protected from the UV rays.
Invest In Seat Covers
Apart from the sunlight and UV rays, your vehicle’s upholstery needs protection from several other factors. For instance, if you are traveling with your pets, you should install seat covers to protect them from scratches or tears.
Pets like dogs and cats tend to scratch upholstery, which might lead to expensive replacements. You can also place them inside a cage while traveling. But keep in mind to never leave the pets inside the vehicle that’s parked directly under the sun. It could get extremely hot and might even lead to the pet’s death.
If you like seat covers and want something similar for your car’s exterior, you can install a paint protection film Springfield on your vehicle’s body. This will prevent chips, scratches, and others damages.
Ban Eating And Drinking Inside The Vehicle
While you might want to go out and eat and drink with your friends or family members regularly, you should keep in mind that spilling might damage the interior a lot more than you think. Drinks and foods tend to have artificial colors and oils that leave stubborn stains.
If you are not able to notice the stains and leave the car parked under the sun for hours, the stains might become permanent. This is why you should either stop eating or drinking in the car or cover them using covers to prevent the stains from getting to the leather.
Wipe The Seats
One of the most neglected factors when it comes to protecting your vehicle’s upholstery is cleaning the seats. Even if you do not eat or drink inside the vehicle, dirt, and dust accumulation can lead to stains and spots in different areas. This could take a lot of time to get rid of.
To prevent such situations from taking place, you should wipe the seats regularly. This protects the seats from drying, cracking, and losing their vibrant color. The good thing here is that it does not take much time to wipe all the seats. You simply have to make sure the seats are free of accumulation.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Professional maintenance is key to ensuring your vehicle looks brand new. The best thing about professional maintenance is that it is not just confined to interior cleaning but also exterior. The expert will thoroughly wash and clean the vehicle inside and out.
As a part of professional maintenance, the vehicle will also be protected by polishes. You won’t believe this until you find cracks and damage in your upholstery. So, while professional maintenance is going to cost you, you should consider it an investment.
Should you plan on selling the vehicle in the future, you will be able to fetch a much better price.
Conclusion
Protecting and taking care of your vehicle’s upholstery is not too complicated if you know what to do. Although the tips mentioned above will surely help you do that, you need to be attentive and take protective steps like getting tints films from auto tint shops Springfield to prevent expensive replacements. Such precautions go a long way in terms of keeping your vehicle looking new.