How to protect your car from the Highveld sun

Johannesburg sits at around 1,750m, and UV is noticeably stronger at altitude. Over time, sun oxidises unprotected clear coat, fades plastic trim, browns tyres and cracks dashboards and leather — and a cabin can get extremely hot in a parking lot in December. You cannot stop the sun, but you can keep a protective layer between it and your car.

1. 1

   Park smart first

   Shade, a carport or a covered bay does more than any product. At home, face the windscreen away from the afternoon sun.

2. 2

   Seal the paint

   Ceramic Shield adds UV resistance and keeps the surface slick. Reapply every four to six months, more often if the car lives outside.

3. 3

   Protect tyres and trim

   A thin coat of water-based Tyre Gloss on clean tyres. Solvent-based dressings can brown and crack rubber in strong sun.

4. 4

   Keep the dash clean and residue-free

   Wipe the dash with Pure Cabin on a towel. Avoid silicone shine sprays — they glare in the windscreen and attract dust.

   Bay tip · A reflective sunshade on the windscreen makes a big difference to dash and steering-wheel temperature.

5. 5

   Feed the leather

   Clean leather with Pure Cabin, then work in a little Leather Feed every couple of months, more often in summer. Dry leather is what cracks.