UV Protection - Marketing or Value Add?

[mgm2003]

I understand the concept of UV protection for skin care, sunglasses, and a few other 'common' applications. When it comes to car care products it gets a bit foggy.


What levels of UV protection do you get with car care products (not all, but many advertise UV protection)?

How do you measure UV protection on car care products?

Who's the resident chemist on DC that can clear this up?

[Bill D]

To the best of my understanding, there is no true measurement of UV blockage when it comes to automotive products. I once came across a write up on the topic somewhere and it said the "SPF" reference is used to try to describe the intensity of the product's UV protection, NOT a direct equivalent to the very scientific and proven testing in skin care. I was also told, perhaps one way to see and indication of UV blockage is the degree of reflectivity of the sun off the application of the product. This doesn't really work for vinyl and interior rubber products though as they are designed for "protection" but with low gloss.

I'd like to see a formal "standard" and accepted method of measurement of such variables products make claims about,including "UV protection" but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to see anything like that soon