Paint protection from the SUN

I live in So Cal, during the summer months it is 100-110 degrees, the sun beats down on vehicles May-October. We have a 3 car garage but no room for our Tundra. Our driveway is large and there are is nowhere I can park the truck that will keep it from the sunlight.

Bought the truck in November and it’s almost paid off. We plan to keep this truck for as long as we can, literally 20+ years. We’d like to keep the trucks paint from being destroyed by the sun here in California. I work from home and it gets driven every other day or so, but not many miles (8,000) miles annually. What waxes, ceramics, truck covers would you recommend? Need to find a solution in the next 60 days. Included is a pic of the truck after a wash and wax on was Saturday.

 

Sounds like ceramic coating and some paint protection film would be good for you. And maybe a truck cover. Definitely some interior window sun shades. I think weathertech makes some for every window that fit well. Getting the whole truck wrapped in clear film may get pricey and ceramic over that maybe will last a few years. Is there any way you can add some kinda parking canopy or shade sail? That would help alot , as would a good truck cover

 

A wrap. Or make room in your garage. No wax or sealant can completely protect your truck, unless of course, you quit your job and wax the truck non stop. Ideally you would have went with white, but it's not a museum piece.

Entropy.

Good luck.

 

Matte clear wrap would look bad ass

 

PPF FILM “paint protection film” Xpel is a great company and good quality film. It will also prevent scratches and chips as well as providing a uv protective barrier. It’s going to be expensive probably 4K for whole truck but worth it if you plan on keeping it that long. Comes with 10 year warranty vs wrap only has 5 year warranty

 

Sounds like 4k for George won't be a big deal

 

Xpel film if you are keeping the truck long term. If not waste of money. I like optimum gloss coat for a coating. But that’s extreme temps. So can’t say how it will hold up. But can’t hurt. One of the easier coatings to do imo.

 

3 car garage and no room??? Yo bro you gotta alotta junk in da trunk yo. Dude I would never think of leaving my tundra outside here in Floriduh. I see what the sun does to these 120 year old people on the beaches and just couldn't imagine what it does to paint. Anyway, I would definitely invest in cermic coating but first I would squeeeeeZe that puppy in da garage if I could.

 

@reelcracker Your recommendation has me cracking up! Our garage has a ‘16 4Runner Pro, ‘05 GTO, and my wife’s gym. It’s actually spotless with all of our stuff on ceiling racks. Only thing on the ground is a craftsman toolbox, cars, and gym equipment. I know I know...third world problems we have here in the beautiful .

 

If the truck sits outside in so-cal don’t put clear film or vinyl of any kind on it. The film, depending on the manufacturer, will shrink or crack from the sun and then it’s a bear to remove. Depending on exposure waxing intervals etc YMMV but as a general rule The stuff really only lasts 5 years or so in that environment and then has to be peeled off and redone.

I have seen some that’s really maintained go 10 years or so but even then you’re taking about peeling and replacing which is expensive on a 10 year old truck.

 

My approach would be:

Avoid automated car washes. Use a protectant, like Klasse or similar. Hand wash regularly using laundered or fresh mitts and micros. Apply spray wax after washing.

And figure out how to get the truck in the garage!!

Working on that myself right now.

 

I'm using the new Mothers CMX Ceramic spray.

 

Thinking color matched wrap, maybe just on hood & roof. Although really don't know how they compare to clear wrap.

Or if garage not an option, add cover or port-a-cache (AKA carport) to house/garage.

 

I’m not a professional by any means but I do appreciate a clean truck and put time into taking care of mine.
This is what I use to protect mine from the sun here in Texas.
https://surfcitygarage.com/products/hot-rod%e2%84%a2-protective-detailer

A day after I wax, I’ll go over it with this stuff to add that extra layer of protection.

 

I park outside in my driveway in Phoenix. Trucks won't fit in garage -- too many cars. I just wax it a couple times a year. Spring and Fall usually. I pay a reputable local detailer to come and put a sealant on it --that service runs about $250 and they also clean the truck inside and out ...kinda a glorified detail job. Never had an issue with my paint fading but then I get rid of my vehicles usually in under 5 years. My old Tacoma was a 2003, I had it for almost 10 years in AZ and in SoCal on the beach-- always parked outside and never had an issue with the paint. Just got it waxed every 6 months or so.

I think people make a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to this. You could spend thousands on Ceramic coat, etc. over the life of the truck. For me? It's a truck.... I'm not going to abuse it but I'm also not going to baby it like my 1968' GTO. I offroad it, I crash through brush with it. It's going to get some swirl marks and desert pinstriping. A little wax and polish job will clean it right up whenever I'm so inclined to spend the cash. It's mostly just a "feel good" thing for folks IMO. Do whatever floats your boat.

 

Hell if you add up the costs for GtechniQ or Opticoat, Cerakote or whatever the hell the fancy names are for this shit you could probably pay to have a covered parking spot or carport extended off of your house (depending on HOA and city building codes of course). Some of these places in North Scottsdale charge you a kidney to have that stuff added to your paint. I keep my GTO garage parked with dust cover, I wash it once a year (if that) and I use a detail spray to keep it looking nice. Never had any issues or inklings to drop a G+ on ceramic coatings. To each their own!

 

no secret..garage is the best here...once you pass that 10th year mark, it will show.

 

Probably the most economical thing is to toss a cover on it and call it day. I mean it saves my patio furniture why not a Tundra?

 

what he said

 

I agree with car cover suggestion(s). I spent close to $400 on a cover for my other car and it's absolutely worth it. When I get my Tundra it will be be parked outside in my driveway and covered most of the time. I would love an extra garage space but luckily my driveway is shaded for most of the day so I get some peace of mind. lol

 

For those so concerned that they're willing to invest in Ceramic Coating for their paint, is an outdoor car cover really the best option? Airborne abrasives/particulate can get under the cover, the wind will blow and the cover will rub and agitate against the paint causing swirl marks. Just sayin'

 

There is no doubt about that. It really isn’t that the T4R is better than the Tundra or vice versa, it’s my precious cargo. My bride, 3 year old and 1 year old daughters. They get the garage so Mom can load them up and avoid much of the heat, rain or any other weather we may be having. Those ladies get the world, I get to work to keep them happy and smiling!

 

Thanks for the ideas all. You’ve given me a lot to consider. It’ll be a tough decision but I’ll make one soon. Thanks again.

 

Keep clean and waxed. If needed have it repainted in 10 yrs. and done.

 

Forgot to mention-

Klasse is an acrylic paint sealant. On clean/new paint, it goes on easily, and you should do two coats. I did one coat at night, parked in the garage, and did a second coat the next morning. You can then use waxes, polymers, glazes, etc... on top. The stuff is an acrylic protective glaze that lasts most of the year. I did mine last June and water still beads on my finish between washings. It is not expensive either, and it’s been around for YEARS.
It’s a quick wipe on, buff off. X 2. Not bad.

 

3 car garage and no room for vehicles? Garage sale and get those vehicles inside! At least a storage unit to move all that crap into!

 

cover it and call it a day .

 

Move the gym equipment and tool box, get the tundy in. Done. Third world problems

 

it's not particularly special, just park the thing outside.
we're not talking about a 1960's lacquer painted historic sports car here...