Exterior car covers

[Clifford Chambers]

This yr I'll be sorting out the body work on my old merc, it's been used as a daily for the last 7 yrs, age/use/winter has taken its toll.

So I'll acquire a daily hack, sort merc & reserve for occasional use. Garage/car port/carcoon not an option.

I'm unlikely to be covering it in the summer, just late autumn though to spring. What's the best option for a cover?

[Twig62]

I wouldn't use a cover. Just keep it washed, polished and waxed.

[Clifford Chambers]

That's always an option. As a youth people used an old tarp + rope, hoping things had moved on a bit.

[PhilF329]

I have a couple of Stormforce covers and I think they’re pretty good. Definitely help to keep the worst of the weather off the car and provided you buy the correct model they stay put in strong wind, with the added option of straps, which I haven’t used yet.

[paddy328]

Firstly, great name. Not seen anyone name themselves after the place they are from before lol. Don’t use a cover. Just keep it clean.

[Clifford Chambers]

paddy328 said:

Firstly, great name. Not seen anyone name themselves after the place they are from before lol. Don’t use a cover. Just keep it clean.

Thx, extra coat of wax it'll be then.

The SL come with a hardtop, loath to fit it as when the soft top's folded it leaves the plastic windows scrunched up all winter. Crap design really.

ETA. My mum had a sense of humour.

Edited by Clifford Chambers on Thursday 7th January 11:36

[hkz286]

yeah unless you have very expensive rubber seals to protect (a thin layer of silicone grease would protect them well) then i would avoid car covers.

The issue is that when it rains, moisture is held against the paint. In winter the cover may not get dry for weeks on end, resulting in your paint becoming subjected to a moist rag held against it for long periods of time.

Unsure about how that affects paint on new cars, but its knackers it with old ones (single stage as well as 2k......ask me how i know :/) so best to just keep on top of cleaning and waxing etc