Ultraviolet Damage

[JPope]

UV damage seems to be a big issue with trailers/RV's etc. The UV attacks tires, interiors, exteriors, awnings, AC covers, roof vents etc. and presumably is a problem because of trailers/RV's either being used/moved or in storage, because of being outside most of the time.



My question is: Is UV a direct line-of-sight issue, affecting only those objects directly exposed to the sun (though interiors can be damaged through glass) or can UV damage occur through reflected rays, similar to reflected UV light off of water or ground creating sunburn and eye glare issues even with a hat (UVA & UVB, though don't know the difference, only bad for you as a person). Are objects mostly/all in shadow affected or objects on the opposite side from direct sun exposure, an example being tires on the shady side, or under an open sided shed roof?



Thanks!!!!!!

 

[mberry]

Originally posted by JPope

... UV damage occur through reflected rays, similar to reflected UV light off of water or ground creating sunburn and eye glare issues even with a hat (UVA & UVB, though don't know the difference, only bad for you as a person). Are objects mostly/all in shadow affected or objects on the opposite side from direct sun exposure, an example being tires on the shady side, or under an open sided shed roof?



Thanks!!!!!!

It is my understanding that objects you describe as being exposed to reflected rays are effected similarly as direct sunlight, though maybe slightly slower due to scattering of reflected rays. I would say that anything in the shade (not from cloud cover) should be fairly well protected from UV rays.



Almost anything that is not in direct reflected light should be ok (no sunburn sitting in the shade of a tree, etc. ) or at least take longer to deteriorate from light due to indirect exposure. You probably would notice damage from other environmental sources in a shaded area.