Discussion
Hi Lads (and ladettes)
If/when the Exige gets here, one of the first things I'll be needing for it is a dust cover. I don't want/need an exterior cover as the car will never be outside overnight apart from the odd night away, but as it's likely to be sitting inside a garage for extended periods, I'll be needing a fabric dust-cover for the car to keep everything clean and ready for when I take her out. It's also good because it means that when it's on and the garage is open, it makes the car less distinctive to undesirable, prying eyes. I find they also help to stop scratches/chips in "accident" situations like something small falling on the bodywork, or sodding cats jumping all over it)
I've currently got one for the Elise that the original owner had made up. It's made out of cotton, much the same as a thick bedsheet would be, it's custom made and fitted for the car (even with pockets for the wing mirrors). Would like to get something similar made up for the Exige (the Elise one won't fit the rear bodywork of the Exige). Anyone know who makes these? Any idea what the best material is to use?
Any clues?
If/when the Exige gets here, one of the first things I'll be needing for it is a dust cover. I don't want/need an exterior cover as the car will never be outside overnight apart from the odd night away, but as it's likely to be sitting inside a garage for extended periods, I'll be needing a fabric dust-cover for the car to keep everything clean and ready for when I take her out. It's also good because it means that when it's on and the garage is open, it makes the car less distinctive to undesirable, prying eyes. I find they also help to stop scratches/chips in "accident" situations like something small falling on the bodywork, or sodding cats jumping all over it)
I've currently got one for the Elise that the original owner had made up. It's made out of cotton, much the same as a thick bedsheet would be, it's custom made and fitted for the car (even with pockets for the wing mirrors). Would like to get something similar made up for the Exige (the Elise one won't fit the rear bodywork of the Exige). Anyone know who makes these? Any idea what the best material is to use?
Any clues?
I got quoted . . .
. . . $1,950.00 . . .
. . . plus GST
for a trailering cover by a guy who makes traveling covers for off-shore powerboats.
Didn't proceed with that
Been wondering about getting some furniture moving blankets sewn together as a bottom layer and a painters sheet for a top layer in the garage. Not too sure in the benefits of having it 'fitted' just for the garage?
. . . $1,950.00 . . .
. . . plus GST
for a trailering cover by a guy who makes traveling covers for off-shore powerboats.
Didn't proceed with that
Been wondering about getting some furniture moving blankets sewn together as a bottom layer and a painters sheet for a top layer in the garage. Not too sure in the benefits of having it 'fitted' just for the garage?
Geday George I am so stoked for you, fingers crossed for the most important transaction. If hes a known guy through the Lotus community atleast that is better than an unknown person so assuming hes an active member out there ? 
The Esprit has a dust cover I actually bought years ago for the MR2 that was miles too big for it, so fitted the Loti perfect. Its not custom made, its one of those dime a dozen covers thats fits into its own round shaped bag which is attached to the cover. Back then I think I got it from good old Repco. The material is a very soft and thin type of polyester which it almost looks like cotton sewing. While this is not a desirable cover it really does the job well and does not scratch. Simons always making a mess in the garage so I periodically put the whole cover in the washing machine - not with the whites ok
The material is like the rain jackets you could buy through the Warehouse for $15 or so that fold up into its pocket.
I bought a Lotus Flag off trademe a few months back with the intention of hand sewing it on the cover to tart it up a bit. Another project - sigh!
That aside appearently theres a crowd out on Howick somewhere that does the business end of covers and organise logos that kind of thing. I looked into when I first got the Esprit. The price I remember was $400 bucks or so. I looked on Ebay around tht time and theres truck loads people doing custom covers for Lotus models that worked out to be reasonable by the time its gets landed here. Might be worth a gander.
The Esprit has a dust cover I actually bought years ago for the MR2 that was miles too big for it, so fitted the Loti perfect. Its not custom made, its one of those dime a dozen covers thats fits into its own round shaped bag which is attached to the cover. Back then I think I got it from good old Repco. The material is a very soft and thin type of polyester which it almost looks like cotton sewing. While this is not a desirable cover it really does the job well and does not scratch. Simons always making a mess in the garage so I periodically put the whole cover in the washing machine - not with the whites ok
The material is like the rain jackets you could buy through the Warehouse for $15 or so that fold up into its pocket. I bought a Lotus Flag off trademe a few months back with the intention of hand sewing it on the cover to tart it up a bit. Another project - sigh!
That aside appearently theres a crowd out on Howick somewhere that does the business end of covers and organise logos that kind of thing. I looked into when I first got the Esprit. The price I remember was $400 bucks or so. I looked on Ebay around tht time and theres truck loads people doing custom covers for Lotus models that worked out to be reasonable by the time its gets landed here. Might be worth a gander.
Ooh, sounds expensive! 
Graham, $2k for a cover? they HAVE to be pulling your leg!
Here's mine at the moment, albeit pulled halfway up the car:
It's elasticated around the bottom to keep it in place.
I really want a cover that just fits the car, if it's too baggy (as it's likely to be on an Exige) then there's always the chance it could catch as you walk past and drag across the surface.
To be honest, a material like those trailer covers on a powerboat was what I had in mind... guess not then.
Kylie, I've got the same flag and it sits draped across the windscreen when the cover is on Great minds eh?
Graham, $2k for a cover? they HAVE to be pulling your leg!Here's mine at the moment, albeit pulled halfway up the car:
It's elasticated around the bottom to keep it in place.
I really want a cover that just fits the car, if it's too baggy (as it's likely to be on an Exige) then there's always the chance it could catch as you walk past and drag across the surface.
To be honest, a material like those trailer covers on a powerboat was what I had in mind... guess not then.
Kylie, I've got the same flag and it sits draped across the windscreen when the cover is on
Great minds eh?Esprit said:
I think when the car arrives, I'll just use a cotton bedsheet or two to drape over in the first instance....
Egyptian cotton?What thread count?
I believe the reason the trailering covers are so expensive is the reinforcement to rate them to 160 kph and the 'fitting' zips to take all the baggy-ness out of it.
like this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts...
or this firm http://www.covercraft.com/ or http://www.covercraft-europe.com/homepage_car.html and get one shipped back in the car.
or this firm http://www.covercraft.com/ or http://www.covercraft-europe.com/homepage_car.html and get one shipped back in the car.
Edited by mark387mw on Wednesday 1st August 07:59
My parents have always used a couple of cotton sheets sewed together but something more bling would be nice.
Ive always fancied the idea of walking into my garage the size of an aircraft hangar with a heap of cars backed into one wall with covers you cant identify exactly what the car is
The lotus flag seems a good idea, itd have a positive of making sure you always put it on the same way too...if its not obvious which way is the top and the dusty side goes against the paint it seems kinda pointless
Ive always fancied the idea of walking into my garage the size of an aircraft hangar with a heap of cars backed into one wall with covers you cant identify exactly what the car is
The lotus flag seems a good idea, itd have a positive of making sure you always put it on the same way too...if its not obvious which way is the top and the dusty side goes against the paint it seems kinda pointless
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