Header banner
Revain logoHome Page
Revainrating 5 out of 5
4.8

Beat the Heat: How to Keep Your Car Cooler With Window Shades and Tints This Summer

Beat the Heat: How to Keep Your Car Cooler With Window Shades and Tints This Summer

Protect Your Car's Interior from Sun Damage

Excess sun exposure can cause cracking, fading, and deterioration of your car's interior. Investing in a quality car sun shade is an easy and affordable way to protect your vehicle's interior from UV ray damage.

Block Harmful UV Rays

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are one of the primary causes of interior damage. UV exposure breaks down the chemical bonds in interior materials like leather, vinyl, and plastic. This can make them dry out, crack, stiffen, and fade over time. A sun shade acts as a barrier and blocks up to 99% of UV rays from entering your car.

Reduce Interior Heat

Sun shades are designed to reflect sunlight and heat to keep your car's interior cooler. On a sunny day, interior temperatures can reach up to 160°F if left uncovered. High heat accelerates the interior damage process. Sun shades reduce interior temperatures by as much as 50°F to maintain a cooler, protected environment.

Prevent Cracking and Fading

By blocking UV rays and reducing heat, sun shades help prevent:

  • Dashboard cracking
  • Leather seat cracking
  • Plastic component fading
  • Vinyl warping and discoloration
Investing in sun shade protection early on can help your interior last longer and maintain its appearance.

Shade Your Dashboard

Your dashboard takes a beating from constant sun exposure. The flexible vinyl material is prone to drying, cracking, and fading when unprotected. Use a sun shade specifically designed to cover the full width of your windshield to fully shade your dashboard.

Sun Shade BenefitsInterior Protection
Blocks UV raysPrevents fading and cracks
Reduces heat Protects plastic, vinyl, leather
Easy to useWindshield, side window options
Affordable priceSaves money over time

Protect your car’s interior investment with a simple sun shade. Stop UV damage in its tracks and keep your car looking its best inside and out.

Reduce Interior Heat in Your Vehicle

During the hot summer months, the interior of your vehicle can reach extremely high temperatures. On an 85°F day, the interior temperature can climb to 120°F within just 60 minutes. Prolonged heat exposure can cause interior cracks, fading, and deterioration.

Use Sun Shades

Sun shades are designed to dramatically reduce interior heat through two methods:

  • Reflecting sunlight - Special reflective surfaces redirect sun rays away from your car.
  • Creating a buffer - The shade acts as an insulating barrier between your car and direct sunlight.

High quality sun shades can lower interior temperatures by 30-50°F compared to no shade at all. For example, on a 90°F day, your car might reach 130°F inside with no protection. A sun shade could keep temperatures around 85-100°F.

Tint Your Windows

Window tinting films or coatings give your car windows a dark tinted look while blocking heat-producing light waves. Common tint levels include:

  • 50% light filtration
  • 35% light filtration
  • 20% light filtration

Darker tint levels of 20-35% filtrate the most heat but also limit visibility. Lighter 50% tints offer a balance of heat protection and visibility.

Use Reflective Mats and Covers

Using reflective sun shades in all of your car's windows is recommended. You can further protect surfaces like seats and floors by using reflective mats, seat covers, or blankets when parked. These provide additional insulation:

  • Seat covers - Shield leather or cloth seats.
  • Floor mats - Protect carpeting and flooring.
  • Windshield covers - Fully cover the windshield.

Park Strategically

The location you choose to park your car also impacts interior heat gain. Opt for shaded areas using:

  • Trees
  • Parking structures
  • Carports
  • Overhangs
  • Your garage

If no shade is available, point your car so the front is facing the sun and not the sides. This minimizes direct sun exposure through the larger windshield.

MethodTemperature Reduction
Sun shades30-50°F
Window tint20-40°F
Reflective mats/covers10-20°F
Shaded parkingUp to 40°F

Take proactive steps to substantially lower interior heat gain this summer. Protect your car's interior while keeping your trips cooler and more comfortable.

Prevent Cracking and Fading in Your Car's Interior

Over time, exposure to sun, heat, and UV rays can cause unsightly cracking and fading on interior surfaces. Protect your investment and keep your car looking its best by taking proactive steps to prevent this type of damage.

Use Sun Shades

Sun shades are the first line of defense against sun damage. They work by:

  • Blocking UV rays - Up to 99% are blocked to prevent deterioration.
  • Reducing heat - Interior temp can be reduced by 30-50°F.

Areas like the dashboard and leather seats are prone to cracking. Plastics and vinyl can experience fading. Use sun shades in all windows for full protection.

Tint the Windows

Factory tinted windows block some UV rays, but adding aftermarket tint significantly improves heat and UV ray rejection. Common tint levels include:

  • 50% tint - Allows good visibility with protection.
  • 35% tint - Offers excellent heat/UV rejection.
  • 20% tint - Provides maximum protection.

Use Protective Parking

How and where you park your car also plays a role. Some tips:

  • Park in shaded areas when possible.
  • Use a garage or carport.
  • Install a windshield cover.
  • Use UV-reflective mats on seats.
Taking protective measures when parking your car will help prevent interior damage.

Clean and Condition Regularly

Another way to prevent cracking and fading is to keep your interior surfaces clean and conditioned.

  • Vacuum seats/floors frequently.
  • Use UV-protectant cleaners.
  • Apply leather conditioner to prevent cracks.
  • Wipe plastics with UV-protectant trim restorer.
Proper cleaning protects against dirt/residue buildup that can degrade materials over time.

Prevention MethodHow It Helps
Sun shadesBlocks UV rays and heat
Window tintRejects UV rays and heat
Protective parkingLimits direct sun exposure
Regular cleaning/conditioningProtects material surfaces

Take a multi-pronged approach to keeping your car's interior looking its best. Stop UV damage in its tracks and keep your investment protected.

Shade Your Dashboard from Sun Damage

Dashboards take a beating from constant sun exposure through the windshield. Prolonged exposure to UV rays and heat causes the vinyl and plastic materials to degrade, crack, and fade over time.

Use Sun Shades

Sun shades designed specifically for windshield coverage provide the best dashboard protection. Features to look for include:

  • Full windshield coverage - Shades the entire surface.
  • Reflective outer layer - Deflects sunlight and heat.
  • UV resistant - Blocks 99% of harmful rays.
  • Dark inner layer - Reduces glare and fading.
Quality shades block elements that damage dashboards while reducing interior temps by up to 50°F.

Tint Your Windshield

Most states allow windshield tinting along the upper portion. This gradient tint provides partial sun protection while maintaining visibility. Common gradient options:

  • 5 inches from the top - Provides minimal heat/UV reduction.
  • 7-8 inches from the top - Offers good protection balanced with visibility.
  • 10 inches from the top - Provides maximum protection from dashboard damage.
Darker tint levels further improve protection but also hinder visibility at night.

Use a Sunshade + Tint Combo

Pairing aftermarket tinting with sunshade use gives comprehensive coverage:

  • Tint protects when driving.
  • Sunshade shields the dash when parked.
This combo allows for darker tint without visibility concerns. It provides daily UV protection plus extended heat/sun blockage when parked.

Park Strategically

Parking choice also plays a role. Whenever possible, park so that:

  • The front windshield faces away from the sun.
  • Your car is shaded by trees, buildings, or structures.
  • Your windshield points toward an open shaded area.
Smart parking reduces overall sun exposure to the dashboard.

MethodDash Protection Level
Sunshade useVery good
Windshield tintGood
Sunshade + tintExcellent
Parking strategyGood

Protect your dashboard from cracks, fading, and other sun damage. Consistent shade coverage keeps your interior looking its best.

Keep Your Car Cooler in the Summer

During summer, car interior temperatures can reach over 160°F if left in direct sunlight. This extreme heat can be uncomfortable and cause damage over time. Use these tips to keep your car cooler.

Use Sun Shades

Quality sun shades are designed to drastically reduce interior heat. They work by:

  • Reflecting sunlight away from the car.
  • Creating an insulating air gap between windows and shades.
This keeps temperatures 20-40°F cooler compared to no sunshade.

Opt for Window Tinting

Aftermarket window tinting helps reject heat-producing light waves from entering your car. Popular options:

  • 50% tint film - Allows good visibility while also blocking some heat.
  • 35% tint film - Provides great heat reduction while maintaining adequate visibility.
  • 20% tint film - Offers maximum heat protection by filtering the most light.
Darker tints significantly reduce temperatures but also hinder visibility at night.

Use a Cover or Mat on Seats

Help insulate your seats from the hot interior air temperature using:

  • Seat covers - Protects leather and cloth upholstery.
  • Bead seat cushions - Filled with cooling gel beads.
  • Reflective mats - Redirects heat instead of absorbing it.
Seat protections designed for sun reflection work best.

Regularly Service your AC System

Ensure your air conditioning system is operating at peak performance by:

  • Replacing dirty filters annually.
  • Recharging refrigerant as needed.
  • Fixing leaks immediately.
Proper AC maintenance keeps cool air blowing strong all summer long.

Method Temp Reduction
Sun shades20-40°F
Window tint20-40°F
Seat covers/mats10-20°F
AC maintenanceKeeps air cold

Keep your cool this summer using these handy tips. Protect yourself from sweltering temperatures while preventing interior damage.

Save on Car Sun Shades from Amazon

Look for Discounts

Amazon frequently offers promotions on Prime memberships and products. Watch for deals like:

  • Free trial periods for Prime to get free shipping
  • Lightning deals and hourly discounts on shades
  • Coupon codes for % off Car Sun Shades

Compare Prices

Price check Car Sun Shades across retailers. Amazon's prices are competitive but sometimes other retailers have better deals.

Buy in Bulk

Purchasing multi-packs of shades can lower the per unit price. This is a good option if you need shades for multiple vehicles.

Look for Used Shades

Search Amazon Warehouse deals for discounted used sun shades. Items may have some wear but often function perfectly.

Join Amazon Family

This free program offers 20% off diaper subscriptions and 15% off eligible baby registries. Amazon Family members also get exclusive discounts on family products.

Let me know if you need any other recommendations for legitimately saving money on Amazon!

What Are The Benefits Of Using Car Sun Shades?

Using car sun shades can provide several benefits, including:

  • Reducing the overall temperature inside your car by reflecting the sun's rays of light, making it more comfortable to sit in and easier to breathe.
  • Protecting the interior of the vehicle from UV rays, which can cause damage to the console, dashboard, upholstery, and steering wheel over time.
  • Preserving the car's interiors, including the dashboard and seats, from fading, cracking, and warping due to sun damage.
  • Increasing privacy and security by blocking the view from outside.
  • Keeping passengers, especially children and pets, from overheating or getting sunburnt.
  • Adding a touch of style to your car with a colorful or custom printed sun shade.
  • Being an affordable and convenient solution to preserving your car's interior compared to other options like window tinting.
  • What Are The Best Materials For Car Sun Shades?

    Based on the search results, here are some of the best materials for car sun shades:

  • 240T polyester: This material is lightweight, reflective, and heat-resistant, making it an ideal choice for car sun shades.
  • Mesh: Mesh sun shades are made of a breathable fabric that allows air to circulate while blocking UV rays. They are also safe for babies and pets as they don't have any hard materials like metal or plastic.
  • Nylon: Nylon is another popular material for car sun shades. It is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean.
  • Transparent UV-blocking mesh: This type of material effectively blocks sunlight without reducing visibility, making it a great option for window shades.
  • Wire: Some car sun shades have wire along the edge that holds the shade in place against the windshield. This helps to keep the shade from falling off or moving around while driving.
  • It's worth noting that different materials may be better suited for different types of sun shades. For example, mesh is a good choice for side window shades, while a thicker material like 240T polyester may be better for a windshield shade. Ultimately, the best material for a car sun shade will depend on your specific needs and preferences.




    Comments (0)

    Please, sign in to write a comment