Park under a tree or let it bake?

[dm_longhorn]

At work there's a couple trees that I can park under which keep the car in the shade all day. The downside is that the birds also love the trees. Now, they're not completely filled with birds, however, about once a day one will land a direct hit.

The alternative is to park in the scorching Texas sun. I have a windshield visor which helps... but it still gets so damn hot in there.

Shade or Sun? And Why?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Sun......

 

[Big Daddy]

Sun, other than birds trees drop sap and other materials.

 

[bmw046series]

I'd like to get a car cover like I saw in the Kia ad (bascilly a picture of a beater) - it's kind of funny if I owned a Kia I'd want to cover it up too.

 

[Boatman]

I rarely park under trees unless forced to do so.

 

[olcrazy1]

keep it nice and waxed, remove bird crap the saem day it happens and you will be fine no matter where you park.

 

[bmwrocks]

I will park in the shadow of a tree or building if possible to benefit from shade at least part of the day.

Rarely under a tree cause I hate birdshit (and bugs) on my cars no matter what.

 

[Wadula]

sun, and why not? the heat and sun shall not have any negative effect on the paint or interiour materials. way better than sap and crap

 

[Blue]

Shade, unless it's a sappy tree. Best bet is a cheap car cover that you can literally throw over the car - park in the shade, cover the car, just throw the cover in the washing machine every now & then.

If you don't have a car cover, you can still easily clean the bird crap off that evening. Just use a microfiber hand towel and a detailer spray bottle (Mother's makes some good stuff). Sap is a little more difficult.

It's already over 100 degrees out here - you quickly learn to appreciate the shade, birds or no birds!

 

[bmwrocks]

Off topic, but speaking of car covers, have you seen the commercial where the car cover has graphics on it to look like an old beat up car (even the wheels), then the guy pulls off the cover to reveal a new car. I forget what the commercial is for. It's funny though.

 

[Susie520]

Sun. Continue to maintain your car's paint and it will continue to protect. Bird crap can do some heavy damage. Have you looked into V-kool or Huper Optic tint for their great heat rejection properties? If you don't have either of those tints already then they will probably offer you a noticeable difference in regards to your car's interior getting so hot in the Texas sun.

 

[mikemac]

I think your choices are too restrictive. I vote for (C), which is park in the shade with a car cover on. The shade will keep the car a bit cooler, the car cover will protect from sun & birds. I had a 9-year old car with red paint that I used a car cover on every day and the paint looked almost as good as new when I sold it (picture below). I live in CA, and while the sun might not be quite as intense as Texas it is still pretty bright and is sunny almost every day.

If I was you I'd spend $150 or so and get a car cover. They last about 4 years before the sun destroys them (fabric begins to tear easily). As an added level of protection, I attach a foam mattress pad (the kind you put under sleeping bags) inside the cover on each side to help protect against door dings from people who slam their door open to exit their vehicle.

 

[Blue]

option (D) is pick off one of the birds in the tree with a pellet gun; birds are relatively intelligent and they will take notice and leave the area for a while, leaving you to park in peace!

 

[codex57]

Cops might not like that. When I was little, my dad did that cuz the pigeons staying in our roof were leaving a horrible mess everyday. Cops found out and had a "talk" with my dad.

 

[PhatBimmer]

Cops might not like that. When I was little, my dad did that cuz the pigeons staying in our roof were leaving a horrible mess everyday. Cops found out and had a "talk" with my dad.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

P.S. that commercial about the new car and the old cover is the KIA one. I belive someone mentioned it b4 already. I'd like one too if I had a nice car to put it on. like a BMW

 

[Wadula]

the cover thingy is really starting to bother me. i mean, yes to like a car and take care of it is one thing, but who in hell will cover the car every morning and uncover it in the afternoon. probably when uncovering you grab into bird crap....no way. it is a possible way to protect a car, but is itrealistic that a person performs this cover-uncover action:

1) in front of all colleagues
2) in the blazing sun to make him sweat even more
3) every single given darn day (and still does not get bored of it???)

i don´t think so. go with the sun. when you enter the car, start it up, close the doors and have a smoke in the shade of the trees while the a/c does its job or drive with open windows the first 2 miles!

 

[Big Daddy]

Try getting one of those plastic owls they use for gardens and place that in the tree where you park. Birds avoid owls, well other than other owls. I am not sure of the neighorhood where you are but I guess you risk someone stealing your owl? Tee Hee.

 

[Wadula]

big daddy you´re killing me

 

[aNoodle]

sun, and why not? the heat and sun shall not have any negative effect on the paint or interiour materials. way better than sap and crap

I agree, let her bake over bath in tree sap and bird droppings.

Going on six years in October. My rear dash...(what do you call that...the deck? you probably know what i'm talking about)...is getting faded. I have tan interior.

 

[Blue]

man, even with tinted windows & sunshade for windshield, do you you have any idea what black leather on a jet black car feels like when ambient air temperature (in the shade) is 115 degrees?

Welcome to the desert.....shade all the way!