Outdoor car cover options?
Discussion
Well after much searching I've eventually found my new daily driver - I've just picked up a mint e21 BMW 316 which had been dry sored for the past 20yrs. Id like to ask my fellow piston-headers if they've had any experience with outdoor covers and if anyone could recommend any specific ones.
Unfortunately she's going to have to stay out doors and with a suspected bad winter on its way thought I'd invest in a cover to try and prevent the dreaded rust.
Any advise would be much appreciated
Unfortunately she's going to have to stay out doors and with a suspected bad winter on its way thought I'd invest in a cover to try and prevent the dreaded rust.
Any advise would be much appreciated
HUFC said:
Your best bet is to build a wooden structure to vaguely shield your car from the elements
As much as a wooden structure sounds good I don't unfortunately have the room or a front drive way to build such an item. I currently live in a cul-de-sac with an allocated parking space between two neighbours so the only options are - cover or no cover.and I figured with the new technology in covers that it could be a viable solution for the winter months.
thanks
pablo
I'm not convinced that outdoor car covers actually do any good. The car will still get damp through general humidity and unless it fits absolutely perfectly (which they rarely do) it'll drag dirt across the paint and scratch it when it's windy.
Personally, I'd leave it uncovered and just use a decent quality wax regularly to keep the rain and other stuff off the paintwork.
Personally, I'd leave it uncovered and just use a decent quality wax regularly to keep the rain and other stuff off the paintwork.
pablo993 said:
...I don't unfortunately have the room or a front drive way to build such an item. I currently live in a cul-de-sac with an allocated parking space between two neighbours
One of these, then:
Your neighbours won't mind, so don't even bother asking them, and you don't need Planning Permission on account of it being a temporary building (apparently).
MintSprint said:
One of these, then:
Your neighbours won't mind, so don't even bother asking them, and you don't need Planning Permission on account of it being a temporary building (apparently).
Same as the wooden structure - no room.Your neighbours won't mind, so don't even bother asking them, and you don't need Planning Permission on account of it being a temporary building (apparently).
the only option is a cover or to leave it out in the elements, If Id the space Id have opted for a hard stand but she lives between two other cars in allocated parking.
I put £160 worth of superb cover on the wife's MR2 about 2 months ago.
Leaves and dirt have blown up past the engine and out the vents, I doubt if it has done any rust protecting and I had to dry the inside this week so I could wipe and vacuum the mould off the leather and upholstery.
Unless you need to protect the car from tree sap or pigeon droppings I wouldn't bother, not in this climate.
Leaves and dirt have blown up past the engine and out the vents, I doubt if it has done any rust protecting and I had to dry the inside this week so I could wipe and vacuum the mould off the leather and upholstery.
Unless you need to protect the car from tree sap or pigeon droppings I wouldn't bother, not in this climate.
driverrob said:
I put £160 worth of superb cover on the wife's MR2 about 2 months ago.
Leaves and dirt have blown up past the engine and out the vents, I doubt if it has done any rust protecting and I had to dry the inside this week so I could wipe and vacuum the mould off the leather and upholstery.
Unless you need to protect the car from tree sap or pigeon droppings I wouldn't bother, not in this climate.
Have been looking at 4-layer covers that are tailored for your specific model - but from what your saying I might be better off leaving the cover all together?Leaves and dirt have blown up past the engine and out the vents, I doubt if it has done any rust protecting and I had to dry the inside this week so I could wipe and vacuum the mould off the leather and upholstery.
Unless you need to protect the car from tree sap or pigeon droppings I wouldn't bother, not in this climate.
OP, you are partly being wound up on this thread - read this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Don't use a car cover outside, it will move about with the wind and rub your paint, you'd be much better off spraying the underside with tectyl, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Valvoline-TECTYL-190-Bla... and giving the top paint a good wax polish from time to time
Vaud said:
OP, you are partly being wound up on this thread - read this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
yes indeed he is.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Here's a link to a company I've used for years. No problems with moisture in the car, totally fitted. I used a couple of additional flat straps to stop it moving around in higher winds.
http://www.covercraft-europe.com/our-covers/car-co...
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