Outdoor car cover...?

[Robshaw92]

Over the winter I've purchased a top of the range 1.3 proton compact. Which means I can keep my FRS off the road, now my original thought was to clean it all up and buy a breathable waterproof cover for it and leave it on my drive. But after reading around on the web I've heard a few people saying that covers can leave minor scratches... If its not on the road with all the salt and sat on my drive out of the way does it really need a cover on it? I mean I would probably give it a quick wash and dry every other week even when its just sat there... What are peoples thoughts? Cover or no cover?

[steveo3002]

can risk blisters too where they trap the damp

id go for wash and wax it when you can , leave the windows down etc on a dry day

[NISaxoVTR]

I would never cover a car inside or out, even breathable ones can hold moisture against the paint which can cause nasty reactions. I would prefer it left outside and given a quick wash every couple of weeks.

[Tickle]

I know a few of the Lotus owners use 'Specialised Covers' (give them a google), may be worth a post in the Lotus section to get some answers regarding damage caused and how to prevent it.

I have also heard of putting a caravan dehumidifier in a footwell and giving it a blast every now and again.

[kambites]

A decent wax should protect the paint for a good few months after it's applied. I'd just give it a good wash and wax when you lay it up, then wash it every now and then to keep nasty stuff off the wax and probably re-wax it at some point in the middle of the winter. If you read around, there are a number of group tests out there which attempt to measure how long different waxes last.

[Robshaw92]

Tickle said:

I know a few of the Lotus owners use 'Specialised Covers' (give them a google), may be worth a post in the Lotus section to get some answers regarding damage caused and how to prevent it.

I have also heard of putting a caravan dehumidifier in a footwell and giving it a blast every now and again.

Ive looked into some specialised covers, theyre just basically made to fit your car. Only problem is I think that overtime water weight and possible snow weight would maybe stretch them and then make them loose causing wind to cause scratches maybe.

I have recently just clay barred and waxed it so may be if i keep giving it a coat once a month would that suffice?

What about when it snows? Best method to leave it alone or brush it off? (Obvs not with an actual brush lol)

[Robshaw92]

kambites said:

A decent wax should protect the paint for a good few months after it's applied. I'd just give it a good wash and wax when you lay it up, then wash it every now and then to keep nasty stuff off the wax and probably re-wax it at some point in the middle of the winter. If you read around, there are a number of group tests out there which attempt to measure how long different waxes last.

When you say "decent wax" I have been using meguiars cleaner wax which is in liquid form, then followed by a coat of AG SRP. Should I get some wax thats actually in "wax" form?

[kambites]

Robshaw92 said:

kambites said:

A decent wax should protect the paint for a good few months after it's applied. I'd just give it a good wash and wax when you lay it up, then wash it every now and then to keep nasty stuff off the wax and probably re-wax it at some point in the middle of the winter. If you read around, there are a number of group tests out there which attempt to measure how long different waxes last.

When you say "decent wax" I have been using meguiars cleaner wax which is in liquid form, then followed by a coat of AG SRP. Should I get some wax thats actually in "wax" form?

I've no idea. Read some reviews.

I don't really have much interest in detailing but I have read the odd review in magazines when I've been bored and there seems to be almost no correlation between longevity and price and the length of time they offer reasonable protection for seems to vary between about 2 weeks and 6 months. Classic car magazines seem to be the best place to look, since owners are always paranoid about rust. I think it was practical classics a couple of years ago that I last saw a big group test in. IIRC they basically just waxed strips of a sheet of otherwise untreated mild steel with different waxes and left it out in the rain.

You can tell by looking though. If the water stops beading, the wax isn't working.

Edited by kambites on Monday 1st September 09:01

[kambites]

If you're not going to use it at all, another option might be to hire a lockup somewhere for the winter. Maybe a shipping container?

[andy-xr]

I'm sure Ford designed the car so it'd take the odd winter or two. Just park it up

[Robshaw92]

kambites said:

If you're not going to use it at all, another option might be to hire a lockup somewhere for the winter. Maybe a shipping container?

Ive heard theyre really bad for creating damp. And the price just isnt really worth it in my opinion

[TheBALDpuma]

andy-xr said:

I'm sure Ford designed the car so it'd take the odd winter or two. Just park it up

I'd go with this option.

It's a relatively modern ford, so should be able to get wet without falling to pieces - although my old puma would say otherwise.

[Prawnboy]

i left my old jag for six months under a halfords £70 breathable cover while working away couple of years ago. Can't say that it did anything untoward to the bodywork.

[Robshaw92]

Cheers for the help guys, think i'll probably just go with the majority and get a few coats of wax on it before I put it away, be nice to wake up to see beads running off my car out of my bedroom window haha. Might be easier when im tinkering under the bonnet too, not taking off a cover every weekend...

[Tickle]

Robshaw92 said:

Ive looked into some specialised covers, theyre just basically made to fit your car. Only problem is I think that overtime water weight and possible snow weight would maybe stretch them and then make them loose causing wind to cause scratches maybe.

I have recently just clay barred and waxed it so may be if i keep giving it a coat once a month would that suffice?

What about when it snows? Best method to leave it alone or brush it off? (Obvs not with an actual brush lol)

The specialised covers have holding straps that go under the car, this may stop/reduce any flapping from wind.

No sure on the snow side of things, for the amount we have (providing you are not in Scotland) it will only be a handful of days a year.

I have used Finish Kare 1000P sealer for a winter layer to paint, always seemed to offer good protection.

[smele]

Saw one of these the other day, but it was indoors: http://www.carcapsule.co.uk/

[kambites]

smele said:

Saw one of these the other day, but it was indoors: http://www.carcapsule.co.uk/

You can get similar things designed for outdoor use. They aren't cheap, though, and are a bit of an eye-sore.

https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-double-skin-outdoo...

[Robshaw92]

Cheers for the help guys, think i'll probably just go with the majority and get a few coats of wax on it before I put it away, be nice to wake up to see beads running off my car out of my bedroom window haha. Might be easier when im tinkering under the bonnet too, not taking off a cover every weekend...