You know what they say about new cars: Once you drive them off the lot, they can depreciate by up to 20 percent of their value.
Sun and heat damage can also accelerate a car’s depreciation value over time, so it’s important to learn how to slow down this process and protect your investment.
One easy way to do this is to establish a few healthy car habits on a regular basis. By putting in a moderate amount of maintenance effort now, you’ll be able to keep your car looking great for years to come. And should the day arrive when you decide to sell or trade in your car, you’ll have the confidence in knowing you’ll get a great amount because of the excellent condition you kept your car in.
Take a look at these 10 easy car interior protection tips, especially if you enjoy DIY auto maintenance, to maintain an effortless look that will last for years to come.
10. Condition Leather Interior
One of the best things you can do to protect your investment, especially if you have a leather interior, is to regularly condition the leather. Conditioning the leather works to protect your car by keeping it supple and pliable. It’s also a great way to keep your leather clean and free of cracks and tears.
9. Crack the Windows
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of discovering a melted crayon in your backseat, then you know how much damage heat can do to the interior of your car. Not only can heat cause unexpected items to melt, it can also warp and crack interior components of your car over time. If you live in an area that allows you to crack your windows, it will help reduce the air pressure in the car, in turn lowering the overall temperature.
8. Windshield Cover
The windshield cover is one of the easiest and most inexpensive options to protect the interior of your car from the damaging rays of the sun. With a range of materials to keep your car cool, windshield covers are an easy and efficient protective solution.
Remember also to extend the protection of the sun to your side windows with a convenient, twist and fold sunshade. Not only does this sunshade provide additional blockage of the sun’s harmful rays, but it’s easy on the wallet, too! Check it out!
7. Dashboard and Rear Deck Cover
While most everyone ends up purchasing a windshield cover, more times than not people forget to protect their dashboard and rear deck. To help keep the protection of your interior consistent, make sure you also purchase dashboard and rear deck covers. That way your interior can maintain a seamless look.
6. Keep Interior Clean of Dust and Dirt Buildup
The buildup of dust and dirt in your car’s interior can mean a major breakdown of materials over time. Take the time to wipe down your car’s interior surfaces to avoid the damages that can occur. For a minimal amount of effort, the car interior protection payoff will be major.
5. Seat Covers
If you’re the proud new owner of leather seats, then you might want to consider investing in seat covers for the ultimate protection. It doesn’t mean you have to keep them on all of the time, but it’s a fantastic interior protection option to have on standby. Plus, seat covers are excellent at keeping muddy paws and sticky hands far enough away from hand-stitched leather to still enjoy it.
4. Floor Mats
Floor mats provide a great protective layer between dirt and your car’s floorboards, so make sure they are sized correctly. The great thing about floor mats is they come in a variety of price ranges to suit everyone’s needs. They are also available in every type of material imaginable from vinyl to fabric, so choose the style that’s right for your vehicle.
3. Condition the Dashboard for Car Interior Protection
Cracks in the dashboard and other components in your car can happen when exposure to the sun happens over an extended period. To help keep cracks at bay, invest in a good conditioner like Armor All to create a protective layer against the sun’s rays. It’s an easy way to implement a strong car interior protection.
2. Steer Clear of the Sun
While most of us can’t avoid parking in the sun every day, if you’re able to do so, try parking your car in the shade instead. Because of this choice, your car will have a better chance of avoiding the sun’s damaging rays, which can also fade and crack components of your car’s interior.
1. Scotchgard Cloth Seats
Cloth seats can be a major challenge to maintain, especially since they are not as durable as leather. Although they cost less, they also rip, tear, fade, and absorb stains much faster. Thankfully there’s a protective option for cloth car seats to keep interior damage to a minimum.
Spraying Scotchgard in the interior of your car creates a layer of protection for both your cloth seats and carpets. This is an inexpensive way to make your car sparkle like new with a few quick sprays.
Keep Your Car’s Interior in Check
Maintaining your car’s interior doesn’t have to be a major upheaval in your daily life. With a few easy and inexpensive solutions, you’ll be well on your way to preserving your car’s beauty. All while avoiding cracks, fading, and the harsher wear and tear the sun and heat bring.
We hope these ten car interior protection tips were helpful to you on your journey to maintaining a healthy car. For more great auto maintenance tips, visit our site for the latest news on all things auto-related.