It's easy to protect your car from the sun's UV rays which can fade paint colors, cloud and crack the clear coat, reduce gloss, and damage interior components, according to Bruce Williamson, a nonwovens fabric expert from Kimberly-Clark.

Williamson says one of the best ways to prevent UV damage is with a car cover, but he cautions that not all car covers protect against sun damage the same way. For example, Evolution(R) fabric from Kimberly-Clark has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating of 180 compared with UPF values around 75 for most specialty fabrics, and UPF values around 25 for most general protection fabrics.

"A UPF rating quantifies the degree of protection offered by textiles, much like the familiar 'SPF rating' for sunscreen lotions," says Williamson. "The extent to which a fabric transmits, absorbs or reflects UV radiation determines its UPF rating."

A fabric's sun protection properties are affected by the fabric's fibers, fabric construction, color and treatments. The Evolution(R) car cover fabric uses similar technology employed by clearcoat paint manufacturers to inhibit the degradation of paint - titanium dioxide (used in sunscreens) and HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers).

Most sun damage (to ourselves and our cars) occurs from short-wave UV light (UV-B rays in the 280-315nm band). And damaging effects are cumulative, meaning that although damage may not be immediately visible, it is "stored" for a later date. Many people turn to either sunscreen lotion or clothing to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays. That is why scientists at Kimberly-Clark and other companies have been studying the ability of clothing and other textiles (such as fabrics used for car covers) to protect against solar radiation.

Sun protection is important for vehicle owners. In a national survey of 1,032 vehicle owners, 15 percent said their car has faded paint. Twelve percent said their car has a faded interior. And eight percent said their car's dashboard and interior components are cracked.

"Car covers protect a car's interior from sun damage," says Williamson. "Inside the car, trapped heat can dry out and deteriorate vinyl, leather, plastic and rubber. It bakes and breaks down foam padding and adhesives. And, it cooks audio components, tapes and disks."

Using a car cover made of Evolution(R) is like having a second clearcoat to protect your car's finish...or like keeping your car immersed in the shade.