A summer with temperatures above 30 °C is hard on cars as well as people. In direct sun the paint dulls and fades, interior plastics harden and crack, and rubber seals dry out. Trips to the sea or a lake add sand, dust and humid air.
A few simple habits will keep your car looking good and save money on repairs.
What you will need
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for rubber and plastic
- WD-40 Multi-Use to remove tar and tree sap
- car shampoo and microfibre cloths
- car wax (for example carnauba)
- car cover or windscreen sunshade
- tyre pressure gauge
Important: Apply wax and care products only to a cool surface in the shade: on hot paint they dry patchy. Keep silicone off pedals, steering wheel, glass and brakes.
Step 1
Park in the shade or under a cover
A garage or underground car park is the best protection from the sun. If that is not an option, use a car cover. It stops the paint fading and losing its gloss, and protects interior plastics from discolouring and cracking.
For short stops a windscreen sunshade noticeably reduces how hot the dashboard and steering wheel get.
Step 2
Wash and wax the body
Wash the car in the shade. Remove tree sap, tar and insects with WD-40 Multi-Use on a soft cloth, then wash the area again with car shampoo.
After washing, apply a wax such as carnauba following the maker's instructions. It works like sunscreen for the clear coat. Repeat about every three months.
Step 3
Protect rubber and plastic
Apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone to door, boot and sunroof seals, exterior plastics and trim strips. Spread it with microfibre: the rubber stays supple, copes better with UV and does not crack.
For the dashboard, spray onto a cloth rather than the panel and work it in well. Excess shines and can reflect in the windscreen. Test on a hidden area first.
Step 4
Cool the cabin the right way
When you get into a car that has been baking in the sun, drive the first minute or two with the windows open. Hot air escapes quickly, the interior materials cool down and the air conditioning reaches temperature faster with less strain.
Step 5
Check tyre pressure and fluids
Tyre pressure rises in the heat and shifts with temperature swings. Check it with the tyres cold, in the morning, and set it to the manufacturer's figures. Look at the tread for uneven wear at the same time.
Keep an eye on the coolant level with the engine cold and on the battery, as heat speeds up its wear. Clean the terminals and treat them with WD-40 Multi-Use.
Tip: After trips to the seaside or along dusty roads, wash the car as soon as possible: sand and salt in the air, combined with the sun, damage paint and chrome faster.
What next
Treat seals with WD-40 Specialist Silicone every month or two in summer and always before winter so the doors do not freeze shut. Renew the wax every season.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».