Outside car covers
Discussion
Depends on the quality and construction, and where the vehicle is parked, ie in or out of the wind.
Some multi layer covers have a soft inner lining, also heavy enough that they don't move unless in really strong winds, i'm still using one after probably 5 years with no friction damage, not cheap.
Put the cover on when car is clean and preferably dry.
Some multi layer covers have a soft inner lining, also heavy enough that they don't move unless in really strong winds, i'm still using one after probably 5 years with no friction damage, not cheap.
Put the cover on when car is clean and preferably dry.
After seeing the damage a cover can cause rubbing on paint when it is windy I'd never use one.
I got one with my last car and the instructions said it needed to be clean and dry before fitting the cover, which was going to be a challenge if I used the car as it lived outside!
And I had nowhere to put the cover if I took it off to use the car.
I got one with my last car and the instructions said it needed to be clean and dry before fitting the cover, which was going to be a challenge if I used the car as it lived outside!
And I had nowhere to put the cover if I took it off to use the car.
Ive used one for the past few years in Japan, as the UV index is exceedingly high and damages the interior along with the paint. Would not recommend. As others have mentioned it will damage the paint from rubbing, blisters etc. The car is due a respray once I get it garaged next year so I haven’t been overly bothered. Wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t really need one.
Humidity often plays a massive part too not allowing the car to breathe in the cheaper car covers is a recipe for corrosion. Surely you don't want the paint to fade but parking/rotating the car will assist here. Car covers that don't damage paintwork via friction are hard to come by.
I often see car covers in hotel car parks for work and other than ensuring they don't get covered in dust and are hiding the make and model of the vehicle they often make me feel like the cars been abandoned (especially when sitting with a thick layer of dust on the cover).
I often see car covers in hotel car parks for work and other than ensuring they don't get covered in dust and are hiding the make and model of the vehicle they often make me feel like the cars been abandoned (especially when sitting with a thick layer of dust on the cover).
Lordglenmorangie said:
Will a cover damage the car outside, or should I make sure the ceramic coating is kept fresh. This is for the winter months in the Lake District.
Broadly speaking the car is going to survive better without a cover than with one, assuming you're talking about a fitted cover rather than a shelter.Having no cover but being in a well-ventilated shelter is better than being outside.
Smint said:
Depends on the quality and construction, and where the vehicle is parked, ie in or out of the wind.
Some multi layer covers have a soft inner lining, also heavy enough that they don't move unless in really strong winds, i'm still using one after probably 5 years with no friction damage, not cheap.
Put the cover on when car is clean and preferably dry.
I used one on my old New Beetle cab for 8 years with no problems whatsover. In fact I did concours and show and shine with it and the paintwork was always marked very highly. As you say, a proper multi layered one secured to the car when it is clean and dry won't harm it at all. A £20 Halfords special, put on a dirty, wet car will obviously cause problems.Some multi layer covers have a soft inner lining, also heavy enough that they don't move unless in really strong winds, i'm still using one after probably 5 years with no friction damage, not cheap.
Put the cover on when car is clean and preferably dry.
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