Heading out on vacation with family and loading everything in your vehicle is quite an amazing option. As you are planning for the holiday road trip, you need to make sure to pack everything accordingly.
Installing the rooftop cargo boxes is the best option for you to save more space on packing. The roof box plays an important role in easily packing gadgets, gear, and much more for your adventure.
What are roof boxes?
The Roof Boxes are mounted on the roof of the vehicle. These storage containers are suitable for providing additional space for carrying luggage, camping gear, sports equipment, as well as many other items. Rooftop cargo boxes especially come in various sizes, materials and shapes.
These are available in aluminum, plastic, fiberglass and many more. Roof boxes are quite a convenient and practical option for saving space in the vehicle. But roof box fading is a common problem faced by many numbers of people.
Why do roof boxes fade over time?
Normally, the roof boxes are made with gel coats, and these are pigmented polyester. The shine and color of this gelcoat on the box fades when exposed to UV rays. Fading is quite common during the summer months.
Many people choose the color of the rooftop cargo boxes to match the vehicle to get a beautiful look. Sometimes, the color of the roof box fades, giving it a dull color. Roof boxes are made using pigmented polyester, so the surface fades over time with exposure to UV rays.
Best ways to stop your roof box from fading:
Main cause of rooftop box surface fading is that gel coat manufacturers especially reduce cobalt usage during production. These are made due to environmental concerns. Normally, new norms have been established with the EU/EEC. It is quite important to prevent the roof box from fading as they are helpful for maintaining the longevity and safety of the material.
Faded roof boxes will be quite brittle as well as prone to cracking. So it is important to fix the issue immediately to ensure your packed goods are safer for travel. Apart from these, the faded roof boxes would also reduce the resale value of the vehicle.
Below are some of the better ways to stop the roof box from fading:
- Regular roof box cleaning:
Cleaning the roof box regularly is essential for preventing it from fading. The main reason is that dirt, dust as well and other contaminants could also accumulate on the surface of this box. These also automatically accelerate the fading process.
Thorough cleaning of the roof box would be significant for removing tree sap, bird droppings and many others. You need to have cleaning tools such as a soft brush, mild soap, and a bucket. The frequency of cleaning will be based on how you are using the roof box along with other weather conditions.
- Add protective coating:
In the modern day, there are many protective coatings available to prevent the fading of roof boxes. Some of them are ceramic coating, sealant and wax. One of the most affordable options for quick application is the Wax, and it can be reapplied many times.
The sealant also gives better protection for the roof box, and this lasts longer. These also require more effort to apply. Ceramic coating is quite a durable as well as long-lasting option, but the price is a bit higher.
- Follow the coating package instructions for the process
- Always use a soft applicator pad or microfiber towel
- Apply coating in a well-ventilated area
- Allow the coating to dry completely before using the roof box
Applying the protective coating on the roof box is the best way to easily shield it from rain, UV rays, and harsh climatic conditions. It is also suitable for making quick cleaning as well as maintaining a beautiful appearance.
- Store roof box in the indoors or under cover:
One of the best ways to keep roof boxes from fading is uninstalling them when not in use. You can keep the rooftop cargo box in the storage or garage. These also prevent sun exposure when you are on the road. It is best to keep the roof box covered when the vehicle is parked outside. There are various types of covers are available, such as
- Soft Covers – Made of fabric or vinyl
- Hard Covers – Made of plastic or fiberglass
Hardcovers are specially made with plastic or fiberglass, so they would give more protection for the roof box. These require some effort to install. The soft covers are easy to install and completely lightweight.
- Wash with soap and water:
A roof box with dust, dirt, and even bird droppings would not give a beautiful look. These also accentuate the discolouration and fading of the rooftop box. It is best to wash the roof box with soap and water once a month. Ensure that the box is kept dry after cleaning.
- Apply UV protectants:
Choosing to apply the UV Protectants is helpful for easily safeguarding as well as rejuvenating the gel coat on the rooftop box. The UV Protectants especially involve oil for penetrating the gel coat, so these automatically re-wet the faded color.
You can simply clean the surface of the box and apply the Protectants and way for about 20 minutes. These automatically restore the lost color while leaving the complete protective finish. It also especially blocks the UV rays in a more efficient manner.
- Restore scratches and damages:
Sometimes, a minor scratch or dent could cause the gel coat on the box to fade away. These are vulnerable to sunlight, so it is important to fix the scratches or damages on the rooftop cargo boxes. Ultra-fine grit rubbing compound is used for the hard scratches on the boxes. There are also gel coat repair kits available, so you can avail them to apply the wax coating.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are many ways to prevent the rooftop cargo box from fading. Cleaning habits and vigilant storage are the best ways to stop the rooftop box from fading easily. Simple preventive maintenance also keeps the rooftop box looking good.
