Winterwaves

Well, here's the deal: I have to park my car outside every workday. Can't put my car cover on it because a parking pass needs to be clearly visible, hanging from the rear view mirror. So I want to protect it as much as possible, at least in the summer months when it's out there baking in the California sun.

I've done this so far:

303 protectant on all the exterior black plastic stuff and on the dash.
Zaino Z-2 (two coats so far) with a Z-8 finish on the paint. (Not sure if that does anything to protect against sun rays, but better than nothing, I figure.)
Zaino "Leather in a Bottle" for the leather.
Zaino tire shine on the tires (not sure how much of a protectant that is, if any, but not too worried about the tires anyway).
RejeX on the wheels (not worried about them, but just thought I'd list everything).

Any other suggestions for the paint, and maybe for the plastic moonroof visor? Can I put 303 on the visor?

I know there's only so much you can do in this sort of situation, but want to protect it as much as possible.

fdl

Get one of those big folding sun shades to put across your from windshield. They are cheap.

Winterwaves

Oops, forgot to mention that. I'm already using an Acura one that the dealer threw in when I bought the car.

I'm actually more worried about the paint.

LoveMyTL-S

Try to park under a tree or in the shade somewhere.............but be careful of trees that drip sap or branches break easily.........

Winterwaves

Yeah, that's a real problem in this parking lot. Quite a few trees, but they drip sap. And lots of birds live in them. So I generally end up trying to avoid parking under the trees.

SK2003TypeS

I wouldn't put 303 on the moonroof visor. If anything I'd try Zaino. I've had my moonroof visor off for a few years now, but I think I put Zaino on it with no probs. Otherwise besides the sunshade, there's not much else you can do. I don't like to park under trees due to sap and debris. I try to park near them to catch the shade at an angle.
Just try to keep up the Zaino as best you can with frequent washing and reapplying before you need to. Zaino has some UV protection in it, not sure how long it lasts though. Kind of like the idea of sunscreen for your skin, it's there, but doesn't last long. Zaino will last longer than a carnuba though. Just my

Winterwaves

I guess I'm doing just about all that can be done, then. I sort of figured that that was the case, but thought I'd ask anyway.

I also figure that if one coat of Zaino provides some UV protection, multiple coats of Zaino would provide more UV protection?

Winterwaves

An idea I had was cutting a hole in my car cover so that the windshield is exposed, thereby allowing the cops to see my parking pass. But I don't know if that's such a good idea.
1. I sort of wanted to keep my car cover intact for other times when I CAN cover it completely. And I don't really want to buy a second car cover.
2. I'm afraid I'd cut it wrong and screw it up.
3. I'm thinking that it would start fraying badly after a while, around the cut edges.
4. The frayed edges might scratch my paint.
5. It would look a bit silly.

Oh well.....

Roth203

??? i'm in the same situation, its gonna fade best bet find a job wit a parking garage

Winterwaves

Well, yeah, but that's not really a valid option. Quit a good-paying job that I enjoy and that I can just sleep or read or watch DVDs or play games on the way to and from, and drive in on the insane So Cal freeways instead to a job with a parking garage, thereby racking up a whole lot more mileage, gas bills, wear and tear, rock chips, etc. than before. But hey, at least I'll be parked in a parking garage...

ccarbajal08

make a plastic holder on your car cover that you can permanently close so that nobody steals your pass? i just put my car cover on at work. I'm there for 12 hours.

hardrock32tls

Idea for the car cover that would cover all of your points.
Take it to a seamstress/sewing service, have them cut the hole where you want it, they can then use like a felt backing or something simular and some velcro around the hole to prevent it from fraying. Then on the cut out part, could embroider an Acura logo. Then when you are at work, you could take the "cover" off so that your pass could be seen. Then when you wanted to us it other times, slap the cover on. I am sure that someone that is good with a sewing machine could make it all look outstanding. The hole cover could even come from the inside. There are several ways that you could do it, keep the hole cover as a flap that swings in, put the cover on the car and pop it in and back out of the way so your pass can be seen, then when going to use it another time, put the "hole cover" back in place before putting the cover on the car.

Just some ideas..for what ever that is worth.... Ideas are like assholes.... you get the idea

Winterwaves

Hey, that ain't half bad! Why didn't I think of that? I might look into doing something like that. Thanks!

SurfingScotty

Okay....so I'm looking for a really good wax/polish. I've always used Meguiars, what is Zaino? Where do I buy it? Thanks fellas!

Hawhyen51

gotta get it online at the Zaino Store, lazaino for SoCal and Bay Area Zaino for NorCal.

TOGWT

I work at a Navair base and use this idea for the vehicle security pass

Winterwaves

Please elaborate...What does the holder look like? What kind of plastic do you use (some sort of flat flexible plastic I guess)? How is it designed? How exactly is it made so that it permanently closes? Thx.

TOGWT

When they issue security passes/ID cards etc they come in a plastic ‘envelope’, this is affixed via Velcro with the card entrance at the bottom which is heat sealed so rain etc does not enter, this in turn is affixed to the car cover with Velcro. Over time the Florida UVR tends to make them brittle, ask the security guard for a new one.

This doexn't involve cutting the car cover and perhaps compromising its weather protection abilities.

I’m sure these plastic card ‘cases’ can be brought retail (perhaps a Google search)

Winterwaves

Ok, yeah, I think Staples has those.

However, I'm still not sure I understand you. You're saying that the plastic envelope is affixed to the car cover with velcro. I'm assuming it's affixed on the outside of the car cover (otherwise you're back to cutting a hole in the cover). So what is stopping a person from just ripping the security pass off the car cover, if it's just stuck on with velcro? I hope I'm missing something here...

Master47

How do you protect the leather? Does our "green" glass (TSX) have any UV inhibitors in it?

I currently use 303 on the dash/plastics throughout, and have Lexol for the leather. Does the Lexol conditioner have anything to protect the leather from UV damage? If not, should I condition the leather, then spray 303 as an overcoat for UV?

Savio

tint your windows

SurfingScotty

I just use hand lotion on my leather. Super soft, and no cracks...PERIOD! Of couse, I have tried all the fancy condintioners but my friend uses lotion on his SLK 500 and I figure if that's good enough for a Benz, it's good enough for my ride.