5 Summer Car Care Tips Every Driver Should Know

As summer arrives in Essex and East London, so do the longer days, warmer weather, and countless opportunities for road trips and drives in the sunshine. While summer is the perfect time to enjoy your vehicle, it's also a season that can be particularly tough on your car’s appearance - from UV damage to sticky road tar and interior heat.

At iSparkle Detailing, we know how important it is to keep your vehicle in pristine condition all year round. That’s why we’ve pulled together five essential summer car care tips to help you beat the heat and protect your investment.

1. Timing is Everything: Avoid Washing in Peak Heat

While washing your car in the sun may seem like the ideal weekend task, midday heat can actually do more harm than good - especially when using pre-wash products like snow foam. On particularly hot days, paintwork heats up, causing snow foam bubbles to burst on contact. This prevents the foam from clinging properly to the surface, reducing its cleaning effectiveness.

If you’re detailing your car yourself, opt for early morning or late afternoon when surfaces are cooler. Alternatively, let iSparkle handle it for you. Our professional detailing team schedules all mobile appointments with weather and surface temperature in mind, ensuring optimal results every time.

2. Don’t Let Heat Soak Into Your Seats

Warm temperatures may be great for days out, but they also mean sweaty car seats - especially on long drives or commutes. Over time, moisture, body oils, cosmetics, and general grime can lead to staining, discolouration, and unpleasant odours.

iSparkle’s interior deep clean and steam services are designed to eliminate build-up within upholstery fibres and leave your car’s interior looking, feeling, and smelling fresh. Whether you have fabric, leather, or Alcantara interiors, we use safe and effective methods to lift contamination and restore comfort.

3. Guard Your Paint from UV Damage

Your vehicle's paintwork is constantly exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Prolonged exposure can cause fading, oxidation, and cracking - especially on unprotected surfaces. Although most vehicles come with a factory clear coat, it’s not enough for year-round defence.

That’s where iSparkle Detailing steps in. We offer high-end wax, ceramic coating, and Paint Protection Film (PPF) options tailored to your car and lifestyle. Each provides a shield against not just UV damage, but also acid rain, bird droppings, and general contaminants. If you’re looking to maintain your vehicle’s shine and integrity long-term, speak to our team about a custom protection package.

4. Prepare for Increased Road Contamination

Summer means more travel, more traffic, and more grime. From insect splatter on the front end to grease, mud, and road salt lingering from spring, your car is exposed to a variety of contaminants that basic shampoo won’t always remove.

At iSparkle, we use professional-grade decontamination techniques to tackle even the most stubborn traffic film and road grime. Our multi-stage wash process ensures every surface - from your paintwork to your mirrors - is thoroughly cleaned and protected without risk of swirl marks or scratches.

5. Eliminate Tar Spots Before They Cause Damage

Ever noticed small black spots on your lower panels or behind your wheel arches? These are tar spots - splashes of molten road tarmac that solidify onto your paintwork during hot weather. Left untreated, they can etch into your clear coat and cause permanent marks.

Removing tar spots isn’t easy, especially without the right tools or experience. That’s why our team at iSparkle offers safe, chemical-free tar removal as part of our full detailing services. We gently dissolve and lift tar without damaging your paintwork, helping you avoid costly resprays down the line.

Premium Summer Detailing with iSparkle

Summer is one of the best times to showcase your vehicle - but it’s also when protection matters most. From paintwork preservation to interior care and specialised treatments, iSparkle Detailing offers mobile car detailing services across Essex and East London that help you enjoy the sun without the stress.

Whether you drive a family SUV, a classic sports car, or a luxury EV, our detailing experts are here to keep it sparkling through every season.

Ready to prep your car for summer?
Book your professional detailing appointment with iSparkle today.