Outdoor cover recommendations

[MagicRat]

Hi all. I am in the delightful position of having a Voodoo Blue Boxster Spyder incoming this week. It's going to be a special-occasion car, but rather sadly I don't have a garage to put it in. Does anyone have any experience with/advice about outdoor car covers? I want to keep the car as mint as possible and also keep it hidden from curious passers by! Any help appreciated, thanks.

[anonymous-user]

I have kept a number of older cars over the years under "breathable" covers in an open fronted barn. Now I don't. My experience is that even the best still trap moisture and accelerate corrosion. But others swear by them,

[mdianuk]

Had a Specialised Car Cover for my Cayman R; didn't cause any scratches as a result, but was, as with others, a pain in real world use, as your car has to be spotless before covering your car, which after a weekend of play, isn't always possible. It tended to put me off taking the car out for a drive, with the hassle involved, and also storing the cover when out was a pain too, especially if you wanted to avoid it making contact with the ground. Yes it was a fabulous means of keeping the car in top condition, but really wasn't worth all the hassle. I'm not bothering on my GT4.

[SBD762]

I have some emphatihy here.
I take on board all comments with regards to using a cover.
I had to do something for my Caterham by way of a "portable" garage, which worked well with plenty of air flow around it etc.
When I got the Cayman I was like you, I wanted to,ensure it got the best treatment.
But the only thing I do is keep the car as clean as possible with some good protective polish treatment (AutoGlym or other well known product are available)
Enjoy your car!

[MagicRat]

Thanks for the replies. I'd normally be OK with the car being left outside if it was kept clean/cared for properly, which this will be, but issue for me is that it is going to be an occasional car at an occasional house - kept on a drive somewhere pretty secluded, but still visible, and I'd rather it looked like a covered-up lump of nothing than the expensive work of automotive art it is. I just think I'd worry about it constantly if I wasn't there and people were looking at it! This item is currently seeming pretty tempting, but the dealership are calling me tomorrow with some ideas too...

http://www.motorlicious.co.uk/car-covers/premium-t...

[alphonso]

If it helps, and people may scoff, but I just got one from Halfords,.. After hours of research I came to the conclusion that it'd be just fine for my 911 and it was.. Only about £70 and so I didn't worry if it went walkies. Had the car from new and used it for about 2 years for on street parking in London before I bought a garage..

[Fizzbomb]

Try to rent a garage, nearly all my cars are kept in genuine Porsche issued covers, they like all covers are problematic, car has to be pretty much clean and dry before placing it in a cover, however the worst issue is winds that will buffet the cover against the car, causes many rubbing marks against the bodywork that need to be polished away, get a garage, thanks.

MagicRat said:

Hi all. I am in the delightful position of having a Voodoo Blue Boxster Spyder incoming this week. It's going to be a special-occasion car, but rather sadly I don't have a garage to put it in. Does anyone have any experience with/advice about outdoor car covers? I want to keep the car as mint as possible and also keep it hidden from curious passers by! Any help appreciated, thanks.

[daro911]

MagicRat said:

Thanks for the replies. I'd normally be OK with the car being left outside if it was kept clean/cared for properly, which this will be, but issue for me is that it is going to be an occasional car at an occasional house - kept on a drive somewhere pretty secluded, but still visible, and I'd rather it looked like a covered-up lump of nothing than the expensive work of automotive art it is. I just think I'd worry about it constantly if I wasn't there and people were looking at it! This item is currently seeming pretty tempting, but the dealership are calling me tomorrow with some ideas too...

http://www.motorlicious.co.uk/car-covers/premium-t...

If you want to protect your automotive artwork there is really only one way to go - Google for a local garage to keep it in anything else won't do the car justice IMO Good luck but car covers are a pain and can cause far more harm than good especially with a soft top car living underneath one in our UK climate

[stevebu916]

Are there any car sales &/or service businesses nearby? Independent Porsche specialist local to me offer secure inside storage amongst their services. Cars can be kept on battery conditioners too.

http://www.cameronsportscars.com/storage/

[roygarth]

I bought a Carpod. Well made with waterproof Oxford fabric with vents to aid airflow, galvanised steel work and hydraulic dampers for quick, smooth opening and closing. Expansion bolts fitted into concrete. All for £595. Job done!

[mdianuk]

roygarth said:

I bought a Carpod. Well made with waterproof Oxford fabric with vents to aid airflow, galvanised steel work and hydraulic dampers for quick, smooth opening and closing. Expansion bolts fitted into concrete. All for £595. Job done!

Where did you get that from?

[gsewell]

daro911 said:

MagicRat said:

Thanks for the replies. I'd normally be OK with the car being left outside if it was kept clean/cared for properly, which this will be, but issue for me is that it is going to be an occasional car at an occasional house - kept on a drive somewhere pretty secluded, but still visible, and I'd rather it looked like a covered-up lump of nothing than the expensive work of automotive art it is. I just think I'd worry about it constantly if I wasn't there and people were looking at it! This item is currently seeming pretty tempting, but the dealership are calling me tomorrow with some ideas too...

http://www.motorlicious.co.uk/car-covers/premium-t...

If you want to protect your automotive artwork there is really only one way to go - Google for a local garage to keep it in anything else won't do the car justice IMO Good luck but car covers are a pain and can cause far more harm than good especially with a soft top car living underneath one in our UK climate

Assuming that you live/work in London and the occasional house is away from London, then I would agree with daro911 and rent a garage near to the occasional house. Ultimate security and no risk of damage from inclement weather, bird mess, etc.

When I used a car cover, I found that the car was protected from bird mess but dust (from a local building site) got underneath and gave massive swirl marks where the cover rested on the dust.

[MagicRat]

Thanks all. Have looked into local garage rental but there just don't seem to be any. There's a place that does proper car storage but it costs a fair whack and they need 24 hours notice to get the thing out to be driven, which sounds a bit more involved than I want. I see the car as a lifetime treasure but still want to use it as intended.

The carpod thing looks good but I'm not sure there'd be headroom for it (an overhanging laurel bush is one of the things that makes the parking spot sheltered!). The dealership have recommended this

http://www.thecovercompany.co.uk/weathershield_car...

I am also having a full Xpel Ultra film as well as hood and wheel protection so hopefully that should do the trick!

[bigunit00]

Just buy a specialised car cover Stormshield. I have three of these for different cars. They don't scratch the paint and fit the car perfectly so no movement in bad weather. Pretty easy to get off and on. No brainer in your current situation and given your primary objective

http://www.specialisedcovers.com/car-covers/storms...

[MagicRat]

Just ordered one. Cheers!

[zebra_3]

Quickest way to destroy paintwork = use a cover.
Any bit of wind rubs the cover against the car, even the breathable ones hold water in, simply put DON'T DO IT, just put up with the fact you may have to spend more time washing it. IMHO