Vehicles are an essential investment for most people, and the expense of repairing or replacing them can be considerable. That's why protecting your vehicle from natural elements and reducing the possibility of theft or vandalism are crucial. Constant exposure to the sun, rain, wind, or snow can damage your vehicle in the long run, and depending on where you live or park, the risk of people breaking into your vehicle may be high. A garage is ideal for avoiding that, but if that's not possible, there are many other ways to keep your vehicle safe in Daphne, Alabama.
Strategies to Protect Your Vehicle When You Don't Have a Garage
If you don't have a garage, you may find the following strategies helpful for keeping your existing or new vehicle safe:
Use a Car Cover
A regular or custom-made synthetic or canvas vehicle cover that can drape over the entire car body will protect its exterior and interior from weather and heat-based damage. By reducing the amount of direct sunlight on your vehicle, the car cover prevents UV rays from damaging the paint job. Weather-resistant covers can prevent any vehicular endangerment arising from exposure to the elements, dust, debris, dirt, animal and bird droppings, and tree sap. You can get car covers in all sizes and colors for all types of vehicles. Prices generally range from $30 to a few hundred dollars.
Set up a Canopy
You can set up an open canopy with just a cover on top or a closed one that has three-sided panels in your driveway to protect your parked vehicle. There are good quality metal-frame canopies with cloth, canvas, plastic, plexiglass, or sheet metal coverings. Once fixed in place, the canopy can protect single or multiple cars from inclement weather conditions. Measure your vehicle or vehicles and your driveway to ensure the right fit. The price of the car canopy may run up to a few hundred dollars.
Build a Carport
A carport can be a more permanent option, and you can install it yourself or get a technician to install it on ground, gravel, concrete, or asphalt. You can buy carports in different widths, lengths, and heights to fit different-sized driveways for a single car or multiple cars. Carports are also available in different roof styles and roof and trim colors. It can be a standalone structure in your driveway, or you can connect it to the roof system of your house for more convenient coverage.
Pricewise, carports may run up to a few thousand dollars. They provide a permanent overhead roof and safeguard your vehicle from weather, heat, debris, and other damage.
Wax the Car Exterior
Waxing your car exterior can give it a good shine, and the wax acts as a protective layer. It can prevent car paint from fading due to exposure to UV rays and reduce weather-related damage. Waxing can also protect your car's exterior from damage by dust, debris, sap, seeds, and droppings.
You should either wax your car yourself or get a car technician to wax it at least once a month. Just make sure you invest in good quality car wax. The price of waxing your car can range from $15 if you do it yourself to around $150 if a professional does it.
Have a Technician Install Paint Protection Film
You can apply a paint protection film over your car exterior to safeguard it against weather elements, tree debris, dust, droppings, bug damage, and scratches. Once you apply it, the paint protection film forms a transparent polymer layer over your vehicle's surface that's practically undetectable. It also gives the vehicle's exterior a glossy appearance.
It's best to have a professional apply the paint protection film, and you should choose a premium product with a warranty of at least 12 years. Depending on whether you want to cover only some panels or get a full-body paint protection film, the price of applying the paint protection film can range from $700 to $7,000.
Apply a Trim Protectant
Constant exposure to weather elements can damage your vehicle's molding and plastic or rubber parts and cause them to fade. You can prevent this type of damage to these components by applying a trim protectant. The protectant works well on both exterior and interior parts. You can spray on the trim protectant yourself, and it's fairly inexpensive, with an approximate price range of between $9 and $130.
Install Interior Sun Visors
Installing sun visors in the front windshield, back windshield, and side windows can protect your vehicle's interior from harmful UV rays. By blocking the sun, you can safeguard the car seats, interior plastic components, electric parts, and electronic devices from heat damage. You can buy sun visors for different car makes and models. The price can range between $20 and $100.
Strategies to Protect Your Vehicle From Theft and Vandalism
You can protect your vehicle from theft and vandalism in the following ways when you don't have a garage at your place in Daphne, Alabama :
Invest in a Car Alarm
Investing in a sophisticated car alarm system is a must if you don't have a garage where you can park your vehicle. You can get aftermarket options if your vehicle doesn't already have an anti-theft system. You can buy a one-way alarm that flashes bright warning lights, sets off a high-decibel siren, and immobilizes the engine if anyone tries to break into your vehicle.
There are also two-way alarms that, in addition to light and sound alarms, inform you of an attempted break-in by sending you an immediate alert on your phone, mobile device, or key fob. These alarms come with GPS tracking, remote start capability, and other features. Both alarm types may require professional installation and can range in price from $50 to several hundred dollars.
Park Close to Your Home
Parking your vehicle in a busy public area close to your home or in your driveway lowers the risk of theft or vandalism. With many people milling around, thieves or vandals are less likely to attempt anything. Together with the car alarm, this could keep your vehicle safe.
Tameron Buick GMC
You can get quality service from factory-trained technicians at our Tameron Buick GMC dealership in Daphne, Alabama. We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. You are welcome to contact us to set up your service appointment.
Breckenridge Drive by Colton Sturgeon is licensed with Unsplash License
AdChoices