Car cover

[BeeJay50]

Hello All,
Fairly new to porsche ownership (Boxster987) and seeking advice regarding car covers.
I am currently in the rebuild of my competition car so currently can't get the Boxster into the garage for the winter so would like to know if anyone has experiences (good or bad) of using outdoor car covers.
If good what manufacturer could you recommend. Or alternatively what about an outdoor Carcoon compared to a custom fit outdoor car cover?
Regards.
BeeJay

[clockworks]

It's a car, designed to be used outside. Why would you need to cover it up?

Car covers will scratch your paintwork, and will make the car rust faster by trapping moisture.

[Hedgeman]

I used a stormforce 4 layer breathable cover when my 987 was outside in Winter for 3-4 months while I was having an extension built, and was very happy with it. It cost about £180 iirc. I sold the car some time ago, but still have the cover. PM me if you want any more details.

Gary.

[bigfoot57]

Some years ago I was looking for my first porker, and distinctly second-hand was all we had the cash for. Saw a 944 in guards red (the best colour IMHO) advertised at a small garage locally and went to see it. Big disappointment that what looked great at a distance was marred by loss of the lovely red paint on many of the panel edges - windscreen top rail, roof top side rails etc.. It was weird - all these white edges showing as if someone had been out very aggressively with T-cut all round the panel edges. The only culprit I could think of - using a car cover which didn't quite fit perfectly and had abraded the paint over time.....?

Later found a guards 968 which was mint and beautiful for 6 years (till I rolled it on an icy back road, but that's another story...)

[tomw2000]

I used a carcoon whilst new garage was being built (during winter....) a couple of years back.

Not much hassle to set up and collapse in the scheme of things.

Really recommend them.

Edited by tomw2000 on Wednesday 26th September 17:06

[zabba]

I had a Specalised car cover when I had an Exige and no garage. It was both waterproof and breathable, and the inside had an almost fleece like lining to protect the bodywork. It did a great job of protecting it but I could only use it when the car was dry (to prevent moisture build up) and when it was clean, as I didn't want brake dust etc on the inside of the cover. They are custom made so fit like a glove.

Not sure I would bother with a boxster though as I'm sure it is more weather proof than a Lotus.

[BeeJay50]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the responses, certainly gives me info to mull over.
In response to Clockworks I live on the edge of a large wood and consequently get a lot of tree sap and bird crap being deposited on both the paintwork and the fabric hood. My thought is that a car cover will protect my pride and joy from these damaging elements and also from debris falling from the trees due to high winds.
Thanks again
Beejay

[Neunelfer]

[quote=clockworks]It's a car, designed to be used outside. Why would you need to cover it up?

Car covers will scratch your paintwork, and will make the car rust faster by trapping moisture.
[/zquote]
That's interesting clockworks....I have my 3.2 Supersport in the garage under an indoor cover, more to stop the kids dragging their bikes down the side of it, would there be a problem with moisture in that case? Anyone

[David Hype]

If the car is thoroughly dry before it is covered in a garage it should be fine. The problems arise when moisture gets trapped under the cover...

[nsm3]

Used one once on a brand new MGF back in '96 (IIRC) - the wind whipping flattened the paint and all the neighbourhood cats thought it a good idea to climb up up inside and curl up on the soft top - nightmare, wouldn't touch one again!

[clockworks]

Neunelfer]lockworks said:

It's a car, designed to be used outside. Why would you need to cover it up?

Car covers will scratch your paintwork, and will make the car rust faster by trapping moisture.
[/zquote]
That's interesting clockworks....I have my 3.2 Supersport in the garage under an indoor cover, more to stop the kids dragging their bikes down the side of it, would there be a problem with moisture in that case? Anyone

Dry car, in dry garage, = no moisture, so OK on that score. Different story if you put the car away when it's wet.
I'd still be concerned about scratching (dirt on car getting moved around by cover while you fit it), but it shouldn't be as bad as using a cover outside, as it won't be blown about by wind.
I'd just make the garage out of bounds to the kids.

OP: If you have to park your car under trees, I suppose using a decent cover might be the lesser of two evils. I think I'd prefer to keep the paintwork and soft top cleaned and protected, though. Maybe ask for advice about suitable products on Detailing World. I'm fortunate in that the palm trees in my front garden don't drop muck onto my cars.


I have to keep my 964 garaged for insurance. First car I've ever had to park inside, and I hate it. It means that I can't use the car if it's likely to rain, as a closed garage is the worst place to put a wet car. Not only will the lack of air circulation mean that the car will stay wet for longer (and rust faster), but everything else in the garage will go rusty, too. It's an attached garage, right next to the main bedroom, so running a dehumidifier would drive me nuts.