Where do you park at work?

[gb387]

I know all here really care about our vehicles and care where they park so... Just that where do you park at work?

For the ones who have a the option of a tree or sun... Do you park under a tree and put up with the bird droppings or park in the sun and put up with the UV rays/heat.

[trubluscrew]

I got two options, outside under the sun or outside under the rain.

[RamAirV1]

This is a good question and something that we deal with all the time. IMHO being parked under a tree is the worst possible place because of the bird droppings and tree sap. Damage is more likely from those two things than from UV rays. Modern automotive paint seems to do a pretty good job of fighting UV damage, even for people who don't wax their cars often. Bird droppings can etch your paint in an instant, depending on what the birds had for lunch.

It is probably easier for a car wax to provide a little bit of UV protection than to protect against the acid in bird droppings. Plus we have the Meguairs TS oils to help keep the paint conditioned and help prevent the sun from drying it out.

RamAirV1

[gb387]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
This is a good question and something that we deal with all the time. IMHO being parked under a tree is the worst possible place because of the bird droppings and tree sap. Damage is more likely from those two things than from UV rays. Modern automotive paint seems to do a pretty good job of fighting UV damage, even for people who don't wax their cars often. Bird droppings can etch your paint in an instant, depending on what the birds had for lunch.

It is probably easier for a car wax to provide a little bit of UV protection than to protect against the acid in bird droppings. Plus we have the Meguairs TS oils to help keep the paint conditioned and help prevent the sun from drying it out.

RamAirV1

That is exactly what I wanted an opinion on! That is where I stand.

Hey congrats 700!

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by gb387
That is exactly what I wanted an opinion on! That is where I stand.

Hey congrats 700!

Thanks, I didn't notice that until you mentioned it. I'm having so much fun and learning so much here I didn't realize I had that many posts.

RamAirV1

[Lt1Corvette]

It depends. At school I am stuck in the sun. Luckily I am out of there at noon, so only an hour or two of sun. At work, there are a few spots in the shade, when I work early I can usually snag them, or if they are open later. If not I am out in the sun. Often I throw on a car cover if I have time to dust off first.

[Scottwax]

My options tend to be limited since I am a mobile detailer but I avoid parking under trees and powerlines like the plague. I'd much prefer to park in the hot sun even with my black car than end up with sap and bird doody all over my car.

BTW, this is why powerlines and trees are evil!

[jchetty]

i park in the sun all the way at the back...i use a sunshade to protect the interior but that it no cover, i personally try not to park in garages.....you know someone here told a story of parking in one the the concrete chips fell damaged roof..isolated but still, and how bout the rust water that falls and drips, even if i did park in deck (which i do sometimes at school) its top level..

[2000]

when I go shoppping I park right next to the cart rack...no one ever puts their carts away so you can bet there isn't a cart around the rack.
I'm a sun kind of guy with the goofy thing in my windshield, but it works.

[OCDetails]

I've got no choice but to park in the sun at my work. Luckily there are no trees or powerlines to park under, but there are what I refer to as the 'water hazard' areas. Parking anywhere near the grass is leathal in my parking lot. So I park with the driver side as close to a curb with no grass as possible. I've discovered it you don't mind parking in BFE and walking a few extra steps in the morning then you can totally avoid door dings and **** like this:

[Nolan_k]

Usually in the sun, on a converted parade square. But today it is in the rain. I think rain is Mother Nature's way of saying "great job on the truck this weekend, now go do it again." Kind of like my bosses in the Navy.

Nolan

[taylor192]

I park outside as well at work (no choice) and attempt to park in the shady area next to the building. I also attempt to park in the first or last spot in a row, so that there's at least 1 less chance my door will be dinged, also I can park right on th edge of that parking spot, giving the car beside me more room to open their door, further preventing door dings.

I find the best way to prevent door dings is to keep your car looking good and clean. People are afraid someone will notice a door ding, and on a spotless car it'll show up so they are more careful.

Never park next to mini-vans, wagons, cars with baby seats, and handicapped parking. These people are the worse for opening their doors and not caring - more often its kids being kids and just opening the door without paying attention - or seniors/parents with a baby seat who need to open the door very wide to get in/out.

[05PhillyStang]

I have no choice but to park in the sun. That said, I take the last spot in the lot. Concrete barrier in front (no car faces me) and on my passenger side door. The car next to me has the driver's side door opposite my car, so no door dings.

[SVT Lightning]

I always park in the sun (or in the rain. This is OREGON!) and away from ALL other vehicles if at all possible. So far.....not one door ding! My trucks a '99.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by 05PhillyStang
I have no choice but to park in the sun. That said, I take the last spot in the lot. Concrete barrier in front (no car faces me) and on my passenger side door. The car next to me has the driver's side door opposite my car, so no door dings.

You all have some good suggestions for avoiding door dings. I especially liked the one about parking near the cart rack. Taylor 192, you should also add large SUVs with soccer balls on them to the list then it would be complete!

My T/As were about 2 inches wider than my GTO and they got fender dings all the time on the rear fenders. Fortunately, Dent Doctor did an outstanding job of fixing them with no need to repaint! The GTO, being a little narrower in the rear fender has zero door dings after over a year of ownership.

RamAirV1