In the Emirates, car owners regularly struggle with intense heat, ultraviolet radiation, and fine desert dust on a daily basis. In some cases, vehicles are even exposed to temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Over time, these extreme weather conditions degrade clear coats and dull your car’s finish.
Also, fine sand particles from this extreme climate act like micro-abrasives, scratching surfaces during routine washes or even while driving. That’s why every car owner must take concrete steps to protect their vehicles in one form or another. The good news is that there are several approaches to maintaining your car’s finish in the Emirates. In this blog post, we explore how to protect car paint in Dubai. We will also cover key tips to keep your car’s finish looking showroom-new throughout the year.
The Impact of UAE Weather on Car Paint
The Emirates typically experiences extreme heat, especially during the summer months. Just imagine the plight of your car in the relentless Sun on a normal day. Now, it will not just be about battling the heat; it’s about how these extreme weather conditions play a major role in the life of your car, especially when it comes to keeping it looking spick and span.
UV Damage to Your Paintwork
It is general knowledge that UV rays break down the protective layers of your car’s paint. This leads to oxidation and discoloration. It causes your newly painted car to fade faster than expected. As a result, your car’s exterior may lose its glossy finish if you don’t make concrete steps to protect its finish.
Sand and Dust Build up
Sandstorms are more common in the cooler months, but they remain a detrimental factor that can affect your car’s finish. As we mentioned before, fine dust and sand particles scratch your car’s surface. This, in turn, causes micro-abrasions, which dull the paint of your car. They also tend to settle inside the car, affecting upholstery and creating stubborn stains.
Corrosion from Salt
This typically affects car owners living near the coast. The salty air in the region can cause rusting on the car’s exterior and undercarriage. It is especially damaging to the metal parts of your car, leading to a deterioration of components over time.
Interior Damage
The extreme heat in the Emirates even extends to the interiors of your car. Most often, the extreme heat and humidity cause leather seats to dry out and crack. It also causes vinyl and plastics to fade and warp. If your vehicle is frequently exposed to the sun, your dashboard, seats, and upholstery will wear out more quickly without regular cleaning and conditioning.
How to Protect Your Car Paint
Car painting requires protection, especially in light of the extreme weather conditions in the Emirates. Our experts at Sonax have offered some tips to protect your vehicles, and fortunately for you, we’ve highlighted seven of them below.
Using Ceramic Coating
A ceramic coating is a chemical polymer applied to the car’s paintwork. It is designed to create a strong, hydrophobic layer that repels water, dirt, and contaminants. Unlike wax, which wears off quickly, ceramic coatings offer long-lasting protection against UV rays and harsh road conditions in the Emirates.
While professional ceramic coatings can be expensive, they can last several years and require minimal upkeep. Some dealerships offer this as an extra when purchasing a new or used car, but it’s also available at Sonax.
Apply a Paint Protection Film
This is the most expensive option for protecting your car’s paint. However, it is worth every penny since it protects your car from UV damage and even stone abrasion from sandstorms. Based on our experience, this option is ideal for luxury vehicle owners with a generous budget.
Regularly Wax Your Car
Waxing your car after washing it provides an additional layer of protection against the heat and extreme weather conditions of the summer periods. This approach helps seal the paint’s top layer, reducing the impact of grime, sand debris, and sun exposure.
Although wax doesn’t offer the same level of protection as ceramic coatings or paint protection films, it’s an affordable and easy-to-apply solution that helps maintain the car’s shine. Based on our experience, we strongly recommend applying wax every few months and selecting a high-quality brand for enhanced durability.
Be Mindful Where You Leave Your Vehicle
Where you park your car can make a big difference to its paintwork. Parking under trees might seem like a good idea for shade, but bird droppings, tree sap, and falling debris can cause permanent staining or corrosion if not cleaned off quickly. Similarly, parking in high-traffic areas increases the risk of accidental scratches and dings from careless passers-by.
Our recommendation here is to choose a garage or covered parking area to protect your car from the extreme climate.
Wash Your Car Frequently
Dirt, grime, and road salt can gradually wear down the protective layers of your paintwork. Over time, if left unchecked, this can lead to dullness of your car paint. We at Sonax recommend regularly washing your car with high-quality shampoos and a microfibre cloth or wash mitt can help keep your paintwork in top condition.
Now, you must avoid automatic car washes with harsh brushes, as these can create fine scratches and swirl marks. After washing, rinse thoroughly and dry the car with a soft microfibre towel to prevent water spots.
Use a Car Cover
If you don’t have access to a garage or a secure parking location, using a car cover is a great way to shield your paintwork from the extreme heat in the Emirates. A high-quality, breathable cover will protect against UV rays and accidental scratches from sandstorms.
Car covers also serve as a deterrent against theft and vandalism by making it more difficult for opportunists to access your vehicle. We highly recommend using a cover designed for outdoor use to prevent moisture buildup underneath.
Apply Paint Sealants
Paint sealants serve as an alternative to wax, offering longer-lasting protection. It forms synthetic coatings that bond with the paint and can last for several months, shielding against UV rays, dirt, and contaminants. Some sealants require an extended drying period before buffing, so it’s best to apply them on a dry day or in a garage.
Recommended Products for Car Owners
Several best car detailing products UAE are available at Sonax to protect your car’s paint from the extreme weather conditions of the Emirates. The most popular options, which you will find there, include ceramic coating, and waxing. By utilizing these premium technologies, car owners can safeguard their vehicles against environmental hazards in the Emirates.
This product stands out as a premium option, specifically designed for long-term protection. It consists of a two-component system, which includes a Base Coat and Gloss Coat, along with applicators and offers. It creates a resilient barrier that helps repel UV damage, reduce oxidation, and lower the risk of fading or clear-coat failure. The gloss element also helps maintain that showroom shine even after prolonged exposure. The product can last up to four years, but it needs to be maintained regularly through washing to avoid sand grime from destroying the coating.
Another standout product is the SONAX High Speed Wax (500 mL), a spray-on, wipe-off solution perfect for quick yet effective protection. This product offers a deep, radiant shine and creates a seal that repels dust and dirt while maintaining a streak-free gloss. It’s particularly useful for UAE conditions where frequent cleaning is necessary. Drivers can apply it after a wash or even a quick rinse to refresh the paint’s gloss and add a temporary barrier against heat and UV exposure.
For darker cars, this is a top recommendation. This dual-action formula combines a gentle polish with high-quality natural carnauba wax, offering both correction and protection in one go. It’s especially effective for black or dark-colored cars. That’s because it tends to mitigate swirl marks, fading, and sun damage more easily. The polish removes minor scratches and oxidation. This makes it ideal for restoring the richness of your vehicle’s colour.
How Often to Clean and Maintain
Given the climate-related challenges in the Emirates, cleaning and maintaining your car more frequently than in milder climates is essential. Here’s a breakdown of how often you should clean your car to keep it looking and performing its best in the UAE:
- Exterior Cleaning: Based on our experience, it’s recommended to clean your car’s exterior at least once a week. This includes washing and waxing with top products like the ActiveStar power cleaner for manual prewash. The latter, waxing not only helps maintain the paint’s shine but also acts as a protective barrier against UV rays, sand, and dirt.
- Interior Maintenance: The interior of your car also requires attention, particularly in high temperatures and humidity. Regular interior cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming leather seats and wiping down surfaces, should be performed every 1 to 2 months. After cleaning you can apply Sonax’s Air Freshener Lemon Rocks to keep your car’s interior fresh and free from heat build-up.
- Deep Cleaning: For vehicles in the UAE, a deep detailing service, including a full exterior polish, engine cleaning, and thorough interior deep cleaning, should be performed at least twice a year. In this aspect, using products like Sonax’s Beast Wheel Cleaner for your tires helps restore your vehicle’s appearance and maintain its value.
Conclusion
Investing in professional car paint protection in the Emirates allows you to preserve your vehicle’s value in years and years to come. Cars with a well-maintained exterior tend to fetch higher resale prices and attract potential buyers more quickly. Moreover, with the combination of ceramic coating and waxing, you reduce the need for frequent polishing, detailing, or paint corrections. In the long run, this saves both time and money. Discover SONAX’s professional paint protection products for UAE drivers.
FAQs on How to Protect Your Car’s Paint
Several car care UAE solutions are available online. However, the most effective approach is to use a ceramic coating. This offers a long-term solution compared to waxing or washing regularly. Still, you must wash your car regularly because sand grime can erode the paint coating of your car.
To protect your car paint against the extreme heat in the Emirates, you need to apply ceramic coating, which is one of the most budget friendly alternatives. After applying ceramic coating which can last anywhere between four to five years, use waxing regularly to maintain the coating of your vehicle.
Yes, you need to clean and maintain your vehicle weekly in Dubai, as sandstorms can cause dirt and grime to accumulate on your vehicle, which over the long run can erode your paint’s coating.