Summer Car Prep Checklist: Tint, PPF, and Coating Guide

Summer in the Bay Area means one thing for your car: punishment.

Hot sun. UV bombardment. Highway road trips. Parking lots that turn into ovens.

Here's your complete summer prep checklist—from essential to enthusiast level.

Part 1: The Essentials (Everyone Should Do This)

1. Window Tinting

If your car isn't tinted, summer is the worst time to realize it.

What you're dealing with without tint:

• Interior temperatures reaching 150°F+
• Dashboard cracking from UV exposure
• Leather seats too hot to sit on
• AC struggling to cool the cabin
• Eye strain and fatigue from glare

What tinting does:

• Blocks up to 60% of solar heat
• Rejects 99% of UV rays
• Reduces glare significantly
• Keeps interior 20-30°F cooler
• Protects interior from fading and cracking

Best films for summer:

• 3M Ceramic IR or Crystalline
• LLumar IRX or CTX
• Any quality ceramic film

Cost: $400-$800 for full vehicle ceramic tint. Learn more about window tinting →

Priority windows: At minimum, get the front doors tinted (with ceramic film for heat rejection even at legal limits).

2. Basic Interior Protection

Before summer hits:

Clean thoroughly:

• Vacuum seats and carpets
• Wipe down all plastic surfaces
• Clean leather/vinyl with appropriate products
• Clean windows inside and out

Protect surfaces:

• Apply leather conditioner to seats
• Use UV protectant on dashboard
• Consider seat covers for leather
• Install sunshade for windshield

Time investment: 2-3 hours Cost: $20-$50 in products

3. AC System Check

Nothing worse than finding out your AC is weak when it's 95°F outside.

Pre-summer AC checklist:

• Run AC on max—does it blow cold?
• Check for unusual smells (mold indicator)
• Listen for strange noises
• Verify all vents work

If weak: Have refrigerant levels checked and system inspected before the shops get slammed.

Part 2: Serious Protection (Recommended)

4. Ceramic Coating

Summer sun oxidizes paint. Ceramic coating prevents it.

What ceramic coating does:

• Creates UV-resistant sacrificial layer
• Makes washing easier (dirt slides off)
• Provides hydrophobic protection
• Adds depth and gloss to paint
• Protects against bird droppings and tree sap

Best timing: Apply before summer, not during. The coating cures better in moderate temperatures.

Cost: $800-$1,500 for professional coating. Explore ceramic coating services →

DIY option: Consumer ceramic products work for 6-12 months. Better than nothing, but not comparable to professional coatings.

5. Paint Protection Film (High-Impact Areas)

Summer means road trips. Road trips mean highway debris.

Minimum PPF coverage:

• Front bumper
• Hood leading edge
• Mirror caps

Full summer protection:

• Full hood
• Full front bumper
• Front fenders
• Headlights
• A-pillars

Why summer specifically?

• More highway driving (vacation trips)
• More construction zones
• More debris from other vehicles
• Hot asphalt means more kicked-up material

Cost: $1,200-$4,000 depending on coverage. View PPF options →

6. Headlight Protection/Restoration

Oxidized headlights reduce visibility AND look terrible.

If your headlights are yellowed: Get them restored before summer. Professional restoration: $100-$200. Includes UV coating to prevent recurrence.

If your headlights are clear: Consider protective film to keep them that way. Cost: $150-$300 for film installation. Headlight services →

Part 3: Enthusiast Level (For Those Who Care)

7. Full Paint Decontamination

Before coating or just for maintenance:

Clay bar treatment:

• Removes embedded contaminants
• Preps paint for coating
• Restores smooth surface

Iron remover:

• Dissolves brake dust and industrial fallout
• Essential before any coating application

Time: 2-4 hours DIY cost: $40-$80 in products

8. Wheel Coating

Don't forget the wheels:

Ceramic wheel coating:

• Makes brake dust cleaning easier
• Protects finish from road debris
• Maintains shine longer
• Reduces cleaning frequency

Cost: $200-$400 for all four wheels

9. Interior Ceramic Coating

Yes, interior surfaces can be coated too:

Leather coating:

• UV protection
• Stain resistance
• Easier cleaning

Plastic/vinyl coating:

• Prevents fading
• Resists fingerprints
• Maintains appearance

Cost: $200-$400 for full interior

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Weekly

• Rinse off dust and debris
• Check tire pressure (hot weather increases pressure)
• Use windshield washer fluid

Monthly

• Full wash with proper technique
• Clean interior surfaces
• Check fluid levels
• Inspect tint for bubbling or peeling

Before Road Trips

• Full detail
• Check all lights working
• Verify AC performance
• Top off washer fluid
• Check emergency kit

Timing Your Summer Prep

Best time: March-April

• Shops aren't slammed yet
• Moderate temperatures for coating cure
• Ready before hot weather hits

Acceptable: May-June

• Still doable, but busier
• Some scheduling constraints
• Hot weather may affect some installations

Emergency: July-August

• Shops very busy
• May need to wait for appointments
• Still worth doing—better late than unprotected

The Complete Summer Package

For maximum protection, here's what we recommend:

Essential Summer Package:

• Ceramic window tint (all windows)
• 1-year ceramic coating
• Headlight protection film

Investment: ~$1,500-$2,000 ROI: Years of protection, preserved resale value, daily comfort

Premium Summer Package:

• Ceramic window tint (all windows)
• Partial front PPF
• 3-year ceramic coating
• Wheel coating

Investment: ~$3,500-$4,500 ROI: Maximum protection, minimal maintenance, preserved value

Get Summer Ready

The best time to prepare was last month. The second best time is now.

📞 Call 408-848-8468 — discuss your needs

📍 Visit our Gilroy shop — see our work

Don't wait until you're burning your hands on the steering wheel.

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Related Content

• Film Comparison: 3M Crystalline vs Ceramic IR
• Coating Guide: Ceramic Coating Cost Guide
• PPF Info: Everything About PPF