Question about Interior Protection

[David Fermani]

I received the following Private Message from a member and thought I would post it here along with my answer. This might help someone else as well.

Hi David.

I recently reviewed the HD protect you sent me found in this thread (Review: HD Protect)

I have a quick question regarding this product. On the bottle or the description of the product and on site, their is no mention of offering UV protection. Although this statement alludes to leaving some protection behind

HD PROTECT adds a durable NANO polymer barrier to your interior that will protect against friction and resoiling degradation

I was just wondering if their is some UV protection as I just used this on the interior of my daily driver. I must say it does look great on the interior and being able to use it on leather, vinyl, plastic and rubber is a plus.

I have seen a competitors product which is very similar and they claim UV protection and SPF. Thus the other reason for my question.

Thanks

I truly believe that interior UV protection that many products claim is unsubstantiated hype. I`ve done quite a bit of research over the years and have not discovered any documentation of a interior protection product to actually offer any significant amount of UV protection. And I also feel that if one did actually offer any, that it`s really unnecessary with the way modern interiors are designed & manufacturers. Plus, your interior glass blocks out nearly most of the harmful UV anyways due to glass having a built in solar tint.

When`s the last time you witnessed a plastic and/or leather dash board or trim panel fading? Even on a convertible that isn`t protected by glass. If anything, fabric components such as carpeting, floor mats and back window carpeting are the only parts that can be compromised by heavy UV exposure, but I don`t see any products that are claiming to guard against this?

It`s so convenient for a product company to claim/market their product as having UV blocking ability. It seems that NOBODY ever calls them out on it. And NONE every offer/promote any documentation to support their claims. So, they use this magic buzz word to the fullest to capture more customers.

I also feel that the best way to protect your interior for the long haul is to keep it clean. This means regular wipe downs with either water or a light cleaner to keep the buildup of soiling off. And if you desire something that richens up the sheen or feeling of the components then choose one that isn`t leaving anything that will promote re-soiling. HD Protect does all these things. In fact, it does them very well.

[Swanicyouth]

I tend to use UV protection labeled stuff for my BMWs interior because it`s a convertible, and it does see some time with the roof down.

There are numerous companies offering interior products claiming UV protection: Meg`s, RaggTop, and Ultima are just a few that come to mind.

Wonder if it`s just propaganda???

[Bunky]

The primary variable for whether your dash plastics fade or crack is the selection of plastic used by the automakers. In direct sun for hours can hurt, but also I think a lot more cars are garaged these days as well compared to years past.

On my 1997 Dakota, I do see some fading on the driver`s side door but otherwise the interior looks very good.

[David Fermani]

There are numerous companies offering interior products claiming UV protection: Meg`s, RaggTop, and Ultima are just a few that come to mind.

Add 303 to the list too.....

Wonder if it`s just propaganda???

Instead of wondering.......pick up the phone and/or e-mail the company and ask for documentation that supports their claims.

[JSFM35X]

So does the HD product have it or not. Have to admit that interior looks amazing. I`d buff down the shine a bit.

[David Fermani]

No sir. No UV protection advertised in HD Protect.

[The Guz]

Thanks David for the explanation and the information. You made some valid points that make sense. There are quite a few claims to UV protection and we are bombarded with so many products that claim it.

[GettingStarted]

I`ve always been curious, does modern automotive glass deflect, diffuse or magnify the conditions that the interior of your vehicle go through.

[The Guz]

No sir. No UV protection advertised in HD Protect.

Bumping up this old thread.

I watched the recent video and UV protection is mentioned around the 1:22 mark. Just curious if the formula was tweaked a bit.

[rlmccarty2000]

A little propaganda never hurt anyone. Lol. Common sense would dictate if anything is left behind it might block UV rays. Maybe not enough to matter, but enough for manufacturers to use it as hype. I`m still trying to pin down manufacturers on statements about coating longetivity.

[BSkip333]

Just my $.02, but I would expect a product named "Protect" to provide some protection. I`m intrigued because I`ve heard some good things about the product.

[RDKC]

Common sense would dictate if anything is left behind it might block UV rays. Maybe not enough to matter, but enough for manufacturers to use it as hype.

I completely agree.

Just my $.02, but I would expect a product named "Protect" to provide some protection. I`m intrigued because I`ve heard some good things about the product.

It does claim (I have not used it so I can`t speak to the truth, but I`m sure it is) to protect your interior. It protects from friction (so normal wear) and resoiling. So, Protect does protect.

[nothingface5384]

Here`s something to think about

I`m willing to bet skin sunscreen has better UVA/UVB concentration then any Car Care product..
How many times does youre sunscreen tell you to reapply?

That answer should make you not really worry about if your car care products has any uv inhibitors or not..

[RDKC]

Here`s something to think about

I`m willing to bet skin sunscreen has better UVA/UVB concentration then any Car Care product..
How many times does youre sunscreen tell you to reapply?

That answer should make you not really worry about if your car care products has any uv inhibitors or not..

Not that I really was worrying but yes, that is partially correct in a way... But apples to oranges.

Human skin is an organ, it absorbs things. It also produces oils which repel things. Humans also sweat, subject our skin to pretty good wear and tear, and the outer layer of skin is dead and falls off.

Car interiors have none of that except for wear and tear so, any protection applied should last longer.

Let`s put it this way, put a dab of super glue on a piece of plastic that sits there, how long does it last? Now put the same size dab the back of your hand, how long does that last?

I don`t care about UV protection for my interior that much. You glass is going to block a good portion of it anyway just because it`s glass. If you add in that most auto glass is not plain glass and they build in extra UV protection into the film that are, in some cases, supposed to stop UV-A rays that glass cant then adding UV protect is going to make little to no significant difference.

I agree with what has been stated already in this thread, the most important interior maintenance technique is to keep it clean and protected from normal wear and tear.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[nothingface5384]

Yeah I know, my point was you can`t optimumly protect your car so don`t stress over it
More Car tint would be better solution