=a Protecting Your Car From the Elements TET Se a a USESRSen a ee SRSWRULCS ES aie aie ALL TUCKED IN—It’s notonly rain and heat that can hurt your car’s interior. So can dust that settles on your car’s surface inside a garage. (NAPSA)—Today’s cars and trucks cost more and are expected to last longer. Oil changes and regular maintenance can keep them mechanically sound, but what about appearance? Using a car cover can protect your car’s exterior finish and its interior. Experts recommend car covers with a BLock-IT fabric label to protect against: *Rain/Acid Rain: While an occasional rainstorm won’t destroy a car’s paint job, corrosion begins any time a car is subjected to extreme moisture. Moisture seeps into tiny cracks and dings and works against the paint from the inside out. It separates the paint from the metal and causes the metal to oxidize. Acid rain containing nitric acid and sulfuric acid can be as acidic as vinegar or lemon juice. Sun/Heat: Ultraviolet rays and radiant energy cause paint colors to fade. In addition, UV rays can cause the clearcoat over the paint to cloud, crack, dry out and deteriorate. Trapped heat can dry out and deteriorate vinyl, leather, plastic and rubber. It bakes and breaks down foam padding and adhesives. It cooks audio components, tapes and disks. *Trees/Impact: Even little droplets of tree sap can produce permanent color changes and etch paint. (Pine sap is particularly dangerous, as it contains turpentine.) Bird droppings are equally damaging. Acorns, pinecones and other things that fall out of trees can cause tiny chips in the paint, allowing moisture to creep in. And beware of cats. They love to curl up on the warm hood of a parked car, dirty paws, claws andall. *Dust/Dings: Even inside a garage, dust and dings are always a hazard. As dust settles on the car’s surface, it builds up a layer of grit that becomes abrasive, deteriorating the car’s thin paint surface. And onceit is noticeable, it’s too late. On the inside, dust and grit can degrade fibers, causing them to wear through and break. *Vandalism/Theft: With all the high-tech theft-deterrent devices available, it’s easy to forget that a simple car cover can also protect a vehicle from thieves and vandals. Thieves know that with every passing minute, their risk of getting caught increases. The average thief does not want to call attention to himself by taking the time to remove a car cover. A car cover can also deter theft by keeping the car and its interior, including stereo, packages and other items, out of sight. For more information on protecting your car with a car cover visit www.Block-It.com.
