austintipton

I'm curious if anyone has experience leaving their C63 outdoors, particularly in a hot climate.

I'm considering buying sports car, but want to keep the C63 for kid duty. The trouble is that I would need to park her in the Texas sun. My worry is the 120 degree pavement temperature would harm the dash, rubber trim, etc.

Any thoughts, tips, advice or experience with leaving the car in the sun?

-Justin

CarHopper

Over time some things would wear from the sun.

If you absolutely have to, I would at the very least get one of those windshield sun reflectors. Maybe some mild window tint if you don't already have it. The biggest concern really would be the long term exposure the paint has to the sun, but again, these would all deteriorate over a long period of time.

Or -- I know it would be a pain -- but if you don't plan on driving the car often just get a full car cover. Cover it up when you aren't driving it.

Thrilla

Get your windows tinted. Have paint sealant applied professionally on the body. Have the leather interior cleaned and sealed.
This'll give it a better chance of holding up against the elements.

betrezra

We had a 2007 ml500 from 07-11, 75k miles always parked in houston sun. The interior and paint work held up very well w the annual wax job, and wash every 2 wks. The only item to fade was the window trim that peeled off the layer on top.

glennhl

Use a car cover.

beaststunt

I keep my car outside and I have to say I use a car cover whenever I'm not driving car stays perfect ,everytime I'm done driving quick wipe down with meguires quick detail then cover

CaptnCharisma

If you have the room you can get one of those tent carports to put over it so it's at least sitting out in the shade. I unfortunately had to keep my car outside when I lived in Hawaii and it ended up being the paint taking most of the beating from the sun. Tint and sun visors saved my interior.

INS1GNIA

I DD my car and leave it outside, in the Kansas heat each day while I'm at work. As long as you maintain it and care for it, you can keep it looking good for a long time. They have enough great products out there to help protect against the horrible temps. Like others said, a sunshade and tint does wonders as well.

m a x i m u s

Some coats of wax and trying to find some shade helps. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it, unless you plan to do this for 10 years or more. I've heard MB paint is durable. So far so good with mine.

QWKSNKE

My car stays outside 24/7. Alabama heat and humidity has not hurt anything yet

chrisridebike8

I would find a local detailer to provide a good coating. CQuartz Finest and Gyeon MOHS+ are some of the best. I used Optimum Gloss Coat and was underwhelmed but Opticoat Pro might be better. Those should last a long time and be much harder than sealant or wax.

glennhl

I typically keep my cars around 10 years and I've always covered them and they always looked brand new after 10 years. I used to buy the soft flannel covers for over $150, but I found that the cheap $35 car covers from Costco or Ebay worked just as good.

m a x i m u s

I've never used a cover before for the car, although I have with my bike. I always found it a PITA and very dusty and dirty putting the cover on and off. Any tips or tricks to removing/putting on a car cover, or is getting dusty and dirty just part of the deal?

glennhl

I found the cover keeps it cleaner. If it gets dusty, I just use a California duster on it. As far as putting it on, just do it the same way every time and put it up the same way. I fold up the sides onto the top of the car, then I go to the trunk and roll it up. Then I keep it in the same orientation when I put it in the trunk. Then I place it on top of the car and unroll it and pull the sides over, tuck in the rear and then the front. Just find a way that you like and do it the same way every time. Good luck.

And I live in Phoenix, after 10 years the clear coats typically get milky and peel. I never have had that happen. Of course, I only get a couple of years out of a cover before it rots.

m a x i m u s

Thanks. I'll have to pick one up next time I hit Costco.

rentzington

previous owner of mine obviously left it out in the sun a lot, the steeringwheel shows the sun damage on the top. just make sure to keep the leather cleaned and conditioned to prevent that. plus good vinyl/rubber cleaner and protectant for the other bits.

otakki

Car cover is probably the cheapest and easiest way to ensure an outside car is protected from the elements, even if there is a carport. Have another person help you at the other end of vehicle to fluff the dirt off the car cover will certainly help. Otherwise do it like post #14 about cover and uncover it systematically every time.