It’s no secret that the summer months bring with them t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops. And while it may seem like shedding extra clothing is a smart way to beat the heat, truth is, if you’re working on your project car or truck in a sun-drenched driveway, then the opposite is true. Yup, when you’re out in the sun, wearing the proper UV-resistant clothing will actually keep you cooler than donning an ordinary tank top.
That’s because, with long sleeves and a hat, it means you’re essentially working in the shade, wherever you go.
Yet that’s only part of the benefit here: The big upside is that wearing clothing with a good Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) will help prevent the sun’s UV rays from harming your skin—so yeah, no more sunburns either.
Understanding UPF & Buying the Right Sun-Protective Clothing
The caveat is that not all clothing carries the same UPF rating. While your typical long sleeve T-shirt is a step in the right direction, to really maximize your cooling and ward-off harmful UV rays, you’ll want to look for a garment that carries a high UPF index and is made with a lightweight, breathable material.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clothing that offers a UPF of 30 to 49 means it has very good protection, while UPF 50+ means it has excellent protection. In fact, a UPF 50 rating means that the material effectively blocks 98 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Now, you’re probably familiar with the term Sun Protection Factor (SPF), as it’s the typical rating you’ll see when shopping for sunscreen lotion, but there is a difference between SPF and UPF. Again, The Skin Cancer Foundation offers some clarity on the distinction here:
“UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to redden; if you burn after 20 minutes, if used correctly, an SPF 15 sunscreen may protect your skin 15 times longer.
“Another important distinction: UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays, while SPF measures only UVB.”
The Skin Cancer Foundation
The UPF rating is only part of the story. You’ll also want to look for garments made of a moisture-wicking material that’ll prevent sweat from getting trapped close to your body. You want your skin to be able to “breathe” to capitalize on your body’s own natural cooling systems.
For that same reason, it’s advisable to wear shirts that offer a loose fit—without an air gap, a tight shirt can trap moisture against the skin and keep you perpetually soaked with sweat.
Sun Protection for Your Head
If you’re looking for a hat that offers good sun protection, the wider the brim, the better. Taking your own personal style tastes out of the equation, it often boils down to practicality. While a nice wide brim straw hat can offer excellent protection from the sun, a typical ball cap might be easier to work with if you’re under the hood of a car.
Better still, many hats advertise a UPF rating too, making it easier for you to select the best one for your noggin’.
Sunglasses
If you’re already wearing a hat, don’t overlook (pun!) the importance of eye protection either. That’s because the sun can reflect off shiny paint, chrome, and even blacktop—essentially bouncing those harmful rays back up from the ground and into your peepers.
More importantly, even on an overcast day, UV light can pass through clouds to impact both your skin and eyes. That’s where a nice pair of sunglasses can come in really handy.
Sunglasses can also reduce the need to squint in bright light, which can go a long way towards mitigating headaches after a day’s worth of wrenching outside.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
…Speaking of headaches, that’s one of the biggest warning signs of dehydration.
So is blurred vision, along with dizziness, fatigue, and—obviously—a dry mouth.
You don’t have to be Dr. Quinn to understand that staying hydrated is a big, big deal. But it’s also easy to forget to drink plenty of water when you’re elbow-deep in an engine bay. For that reason, it might be easier to don a hydration pack than to reach for a water bottle—but whatever you choose, the important thing is to remember to keep yourself topped-off with plenty of H2O.
A Canopy is A Smart Sun-Covering Alternative
If you don’t mind taking a few minutes to set one up, a good folding canopy or portable shelter gives you the best of both worlds: You can work in the shade and still don your favorite Van Halen tank top without fear of the Sun scorching your skin.
While you’ve got to assess the logistics of lugging and storing the canopy, many portable shelters collapse down small enough to be tossed into your race trailer or the bed of a pickup truck. As an added bonus, a canopy offers some protection from rain and inclement weather—just be sure to stake/tie it down properly and monitor wind speed to ensure your pop-up canopy doesn’t end up in Oz.
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Whether you enjoy working outside on your ride or not, make sure to stay safe and protect yourself from the harmful effects of the Sun’s UV rays.
We hope this article gave you a few ideas that can help on your next race day, campout, boat trip, or kid’s soccer game.
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