Autocross Aftermath-->Interior Sunscreen transfer and cleanup

This might be an older guy problem, younger and heat/humidity loving autocrossers can probably move on to the next post.

Had fun at autocross yesterday, but not so much in the, clearly necessary, torture of shagging cones in the heat and humidity.  As usual I slathered on sunscreen and then transferred much of that to my car's interior when I drove.

Now comes the clean up. A shower is easy for me, but what are everyone's good tips for cleaning all the transferred  sunscreen from their interiors Are armour all wipes the quick fix?

I do know this, working in temps above 90 deg and 90% humidity seems to kill much of the fun for me  -- I believe I've just become a "fair weather", and by that I mean "cooler weather" autocrosser! Not sure how you folks in the hot and humid south manage in the summer!

Shade. Carry an umbrella, and start early. Here in Florida, people will be using them for the course walk and driver's meeting. Start early.

I keep the top up on my Miata between runs. 

Water. Drink a lot, preferably cold, but even if it's not cold it's going to help. 

If you get to the end of the day and haven't had to urinate at least a few times, you're not keeping up.

Clothing. I wear long sleeve Columbia brand fishing shirts with the vented back. There are lots of knock-off brands that are less expensive and still comfortable. They are made for outdoors use in hot weather.

The big hat is a meme for autocrossers for a reason. I just bought a new one, and it's about the stupidest looking thing I've ever put on my head. If I was at home I would post a picture of it. Perfect.

I'm going to try out a switch to long pants this summer, the same light weight, hot weather fishing style as the shirts. I've tried that out the last couple of events, and I found that I was cooler than when wearing shorts.

This will eliminate the problem of getting sunscreen all over the car. I'll only need to put it on my face and neck, and the back of my hands.

Evaporative cooling. I wet down my shirt. The quality fishing shirts are made to promote evaporation. the knock-off brands may not be as effective at this.

If I'm going to be getting in the car, I'll wet the sleeves, shoulders, and the front of the shirt. If I'm out working on the course, I'll also pour water down the back of the shirt.

You can wet a bandana and tie it around the back of your neck, or preferably use one of the products that's made for holding water and promoting evaporative cooling. 

Acclimation. Particularly if you work indoors, it's going to be harder for you to adjust to being out in the heat. It gets easier, the more you are exposed to it.

Finally, my helmet is white for a reason.

Assume it's dark leather and black plastics?  A terrycloth towel and mild soapy water for spot treatment.  Dry it off, then I like the Armorall interior detailer and a microfiber towel for a wipe down.  Traditional Armorall is a greasy, dust-attracting mess..then the plasticizers evoporate and end up on your windshield.  Their interior detailer seems better suited to modern interior plastics and less residue.

I'm sorry, I never addressed your original question. I've had more problems with sunscreen on my paint than the interior. I found that car wax was effective for removing that.

I hate Armour all, my favorite product is Ice. I haven't tried it on sunscreen, but at least it won't leave it greasy.

In reply to Floating Doc and Tyler H:

Solid gold advice, thanks so much!  I do need to up my 'summer autocross game"

Tyler H. :Yes, I was trying to avoid Armour all because of that film that seems to get on the windshield that I've discovered in the past.

Floating Doc:  It never occurred to me to try fishing gear and long sleeves/pants! That would avoid most of the sunscreen rub altogether. Planning a trip to BassPro/Cabelas now....

Another thing I have found is having a washcloth to dunk in a cooler of ice water to wipe myself down with a few times in the day. This helps lots even on days where its too humid for evaporation to help much. 

Light weight long pants and long sleeves are good ideas. I have Gingervitis (burn REALLY easially), so I do that with some frequency if just to prevent burns. 

HYDRATE. If you arent peeing clear and frequently, you need more WATER. 

As stated, BIG HAT.   Think novelty sombrero. 

I usually retire some of my worn out 100% cotton dress shirts to the autocross box, and wear them unbuttoned over a t-shirt.  White or light colors, and dispose of them when they get grody.

Floating Doc said:

Finally, my helmet is white for a reason.

I find that helmet color makes no noticeable difference to how hot your head feels inside the helmet, only how hot the surface gets...it's very well-insulated in there.

GameboyRMH said:

Floating Doc said:

Finally, my helmet is white for a reason.

I find that helmet color makes no noticeable difference to how hot your head feels inside the helmet, only how hot the surface gets...it's very well-insulated in there.

Makes sense, as long as you have it on for an autocross run, assuming it's in the shade the rest of the time. 

My helmet has a vent in the top too..

I have the giant hat and sunscreen now I just need a running car lol

Try baby wipes. 

A set of gloves for driving will help keep your sweaty, greasy hands off the steering wheel.  I use my FOX mountain biking gloves and they work pretty well since they're designed to breathe and have grip.    

I haven't done the big hat yet (baseball hat w/sunglasses so far).  

Stop by Marshals, TJ Max, Ross, etc.  At least in the FL stores they tend to have lots of name-brand performance fishing gear at reasonable prices.  Buy yourself a big water jug as well...one of the YETI styled vacuum sealed contraptions. Cold water helps a lot.  They'll also keep ice cold enough that you can refill them.

Chemical Guys all purpose cleaner is what I use to keep the leather bits of the Land Cruiser nice and dark.