Outdoor car covers
Discussion
Hi everyone. I'm looking at getting a decent car cover for my E63S, so needs to be good quality and fit for outdoor use. A couple of years ago, I ordered an outdoor cover for the same car from a supposedly reputable company in the northern England. It was nicely made to be fair, but a little too small - my guess is that they cut it for a regular W213 E Class, not realising that the E63S is marginally bigger, not least because of slightly flared arches. Turned out to be a tight fit which left a few scratches. Took it up with the company in question and they didn't want to know, not having the time to chase them, I just took the loss. So I'm hoping for a better experience this time.
A few weeks ago, many of you recommended Royal Steering Wheels, who provided a fantastic product, so that was a great steer (boom-boom...) and wondered if I could tap into your knowledge once again.
Any recommendations appreciated!
Bill
A few weeks ago, many of you recommended Royal Steering Wheels, who provided a fantastic product, so that was a great steer (boom-boom...) and wondered if I could tap into your knowledge once again.
Any recommendations appreciated!
Bill
I used to put a cover on my MX-5 but I gave up with it because it scratches the paint. If the car is outside and it is windy, dust and grit will get up under the cover and the cover movement on the car, even slight, will rub the paint. Personally, I would now only ever use a light dust cover inside a garage with no wind. No more outdoor covers for me.
Just my £0.02. Other opinions are available.
Just my £0.02. Other opinions are available.
I’d second the above… a bloody faff too! Keep it relatively clean and left… no trapping moisture either!
When I bought my new to me TVR in the summer I researched this topic massively, consensus being a ‘plastic’ car covers do even more damage.
I got so stressed out
I built a carport instead!
Appreciate this is overkill and may not be feasible.
When I bought my new to me TVR in the summer I researched this topic massively, consensus being a ‘plastic’ car covers do even more damage.
I got so stressed out
I built a carport instead!Appreciate this is overkill and may not be feasible.
Modern cars are just fine without outdoor covers.
If you use a cover on a car that isn't clean, the paint will be abraded as the cover moves even slightly. So you really have to ask yourself when is your car ever perfectly clean.
Then you have to decide where you are going to store your dirty, frequently wet car cover when you want to use the car.
If I use a cover at all these days it's one of the small ones that cover just the glasshouse of the car. Good for leak prone convertibles and hardly touches any paintwork.
If you use a cover on a car that isn't clean, the paint will be abraded as the cover moves even slightly. So you really have to ask yourself when is your car ever perfectly clean.
Then you have to decide where you are going to store your dirty, frequently wet car cover when you want to use the car.
If I use a cover at all these days it's one of the small ones that cover just the glasshouse of the car. Good for leak prone convertibles and hardly touches any paintwork.
I bought a car that was going to live outdoors and came with a custom-fit outdoor cover, then read that the car had to be clean and dry before fitting it. Realised I was never going to wash it every time I got home after using it, and I'd need to find somewhere to put the cover when I went out so I decided to sell it.
Tried to fit it for a photo or two for an advert and it was a real battle to get it on the car, which only reinforced my decision to sell it.
I can't see getting wet being anything like as damaging to a car as a cover that moves about in high winds abrading the paint!
Tried to fit it for a photo or two for an advert and it was a real battle to get it on the car, which only reinforced my decision to sell it.
I can't see getting wet being anything like as damaging to a car as a cover that moves about in high winds abrading the paint!
Benzinaio said:
I visited a customer yesterday who had one of these on his 16 year old soft top 911, pleased to see it.Outdoor car covers will damage paint and often it takes time to become apparent.
I rescue cars from long term storage, underground car parks are the best ones, anything covered outdoors long term has more issues than those left to the weather usually.
Try Coveryourcar.co.uk and see about a Stormforce cover.
I've used covers for years and never had an issue with them causing problems but I'm super strict with using them:
- Breathable material
- Car must be meticulously clean.
- Cover must be really secure, I've used a specific net to keep the cover from moving.
Personally I wouldn't cover up an older car and if you know that car has had any sizeable repairs I'd avoid too. You can end up with microblisters if moisture doesn't escape as quickly as possible during damp, winter months.
If you have somewhere off the road and ideally tucked into a corner somewhere, that'd be ideal.
An air bubble cover is your absolute best option if you don't mind the cost though.
I've used covers for years and never had an issue with them causing problems but I'm super strict with using them:
- Breathable material
- Car must be meticulously clean.
- Cover must be really secure, I've used a specific net to keep the cover from moving.
Personally I wouldn't cover up an older car and if you know that car has had any sizeable repairs I'd avoid too. You can end up with microblisters if moisture doesn't escape as quickly as possible during damp, winter months.
If you have somewhere off the road and ideally tucked into a corner somewhere, that'd be ideal.
An air bubble cover is your absolute best option if you don't mind the cost though.
I have one from this company -> https://www.specialisedcovers.com/ for my I8 which lives outside. Not cheap but very well made with a proper tailored fit.
The car has regular maintenance washes by a detailer - he's not identified any damage to the finish from the cover.
The car has regular maintenance washes by a detailer - he's not identified any damage to the finish from the cover.
Huzzah said:
Benzinaio said:
A 1/2 cover on a convertible makes a lot of sense. Light and easy to take off and pop in the boot as required. https://ukcustomcovers.com/products/honda-s2000-so...
I’ve had indoor covers from Classic Additions and also Specialised Covers both of whom do outdoor covers which if they are of similar quality would both tick the box.
However in reality using one on a daily would be a right faff.
My new Dark Horse was bought to use as a daily so has to live outside.
I did get it ceramic coated but thought that was sufficient.
However in reality using one on a daily would be a right faff.
My new Dark Horse was bought to use as a daily so has to live outside.
I did get it ceramic coated but thought that was sufficient.
Alex_225 said:
Try Coveryourcar.co.uk and see about a Stormforce cover.
I've used covers for years and never had an issue with them causing problems but I'm super strict with using them:
- Breathable material
- Car must be meticulously clean.
- Cover must be really secure, I've used a specific net to keep the cover from moving.
Personally I wouldn't cover up an older car and if you know that car has had any sizeable repairs I'd avoid too. You can end up with microblisters if moisture doesn't escape as quickly as possible during damp, winter months.
If you have somewhere off the road and ideally tucked into a corner somewhere, that'd be ideal.
An air bubble cover is your absolute best option if you don't mind the cost though.
The one I sold that barely fitted was a Stormforce cover!I've used covers for years and never had an issue with them causing problems but I'm super strict with using them:
- Breathable material
- Car must be meticulously clean.
- Cover must be really secure, I've used a specific net to keep the cover from moving.
Personally I wouldn't cover up an older car and if you know that car has had any sizeable repairs I'd avoid too. You can end up with microblisters if moisture doesn't escape as quickly as possible during damp, winter months.
If you have somewhere off the road and ideally tucked into a corner somewhere, that'd be ideal.
An air bubble cover is your absolute best option if you don't mind the cost though.
It just seemed inappropriate for a car I would use from time to time.
I used a car cover before and it wore away the paint on the car, never again. I use Carcoons now, after over 1 year of storage (the shame) on 1 car there was not even a single spot of rust on the discs. That is in Scotland as well. Doesn't scratch either as no material touches the car.
Dunc.
Dunc.
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