Hamilton Classic outdoor cover - not waterproof any more
Discussion
My Chimaera has to live outside because I don't have a garage, so I have had a Hamilton Classic outdoor cover which I've used for the last couple of years.
Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
My Chimaera has to live outside because I don't have a garage, so I have had a Hamilton Classic outdoor cover which I've used for the last couple of years.
Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
Hi Mike, Unfortunatley I had to same problems afew years back when I was unable to store my TVR in the garage. My cover was loosing its insides and leaving white flakes on the paintwork and it let in water. I contacted Hamiltons about this as the cover had cost me £170 at the time and was only 3 years old. They informed me that the covers were only de,signed to last 2-3 years at most then they start to break down from UV light etc, there are other makes like stormforce on the market so I cannot speak for them maybe worth and phone call and ask them about cover longeviety?Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
Mark
Wow! I don't think I'd have spent £150+ on it if it wasn't expected to last more than a couple of years!
I've sent a message to Hamilton via their web site asking whether I should re-proof it; it'll be interesting to see what they say. They'll probably tell me it isn't intended to be 100% waterproof, being breathable, which is fair enough - but it should be keeping the car mostly dry.
I've sent a message to Hamilton via their web site asking whether I should re-proof it; it'll be interesting to see what they say. They'll probably tell me it isn't intended to be 100% waterproof, being breathable, which is fair enough - but it should be keeping the car mostly dry.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Wow! I don't think I'd have spent £150+ on it if it wasn't expected to last more than a couple of years!
I've sent a message to Hamilton via their web site asking whether I should re-proof it; it'll be interesting to see what they say. They'll probably tell me it isn't intended to be 100% waterproof, being breathable, which is fair enough - but it should be keeping the car mostly dry.
I could not believe it when they told me. I was hoping they would offer me another one a trade price but no luck I've sent a message to Hamilton via their web site asking whether I should re-proof it; it'll be interesting to see what they say. They'll probably tell me it isn't intended to be 100% waterproof, being breathable, which is fair enough - but it should be keeping the car mostly dry.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
My Chimaera has to live outside because I don't have a garage, so I have had a Hamilton Classic outdoor cover which I've used for the last couple of years.
Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
These always get a good write up ..Recently, after nights of heavy rain, I've been shocked at the amount of water it is letting through. The car is very wet underneath the cover and the cover itself is saturated. It seems to be trapping water between itself and the bodywork.
Does the cover need re-treating with something like Fabsil periodically to restore its waterproofing?
I know there are lots of TVR owners who use this cover; I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
http://www.cover-zone.com/prices_records.php
If you feel you have nothing to loose, try reproofing it in Thompsons waterseal, but it needs to be the classic stuff, not the new ultra. Ive used it on tents and fabric roof covers to good effect, the worse it does is pong a bit and darken the fabric. A gallon is affordable:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thompsons-Water-Seal-5-L...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thompsons-Water-Seal-5-L...
I have had a couple of cars under cover outside and much preferred the Hamilton cover despite the other one fitting like a glove and costing twice as much! Are you sure the water is coming through or is it condensation?
After the 3rd winter I think the Hamilton cover was past its best but I thought that was ok.
After the 3rd winter I think the Hamilton cover was past its best but I thought that was ok.
This will be its third winter, so perhaps it hasn't done too badly. I think I was expecting it to last about five years, but there is no particular logic to that expectation!
I can't be totally sure that it's not condensation, although it is a lot of water and it's at its worst after heavy rain. I'm also suffering the classic problem of water ingress into the driver's footwell, and the cover doesn't seem to be preventing that. I've tried sealing around the clutch reservoir cover, without success.
I can't be totally sure that it's not condensation, although it is a lot of water and it's at its worst after heavy rain. I'm also suffering the classic problem of water ingress into the driver's footwell, and the cover doesn't seem to be preventing that. I've tried sealing around the clutch reservoir cover, without success.
I have a couple of 'Monsoon' covers, one on the Chim and the other on the Tuscan. The Chim is on its 3rd winter and still appears watertight (or as watertight as could be expected).
But it has been a bad winter for condenstation down here in the south east and I have now invested in a couple of rechargeable dehumdifiers as well.
But it has been a bad winter for condenstation down here in the south east and I have now invested in a couple of rechargeable dehumdifiers as well.
I purchased a Hamilton Classic this month. I joined the TVRCC and received a 10% discount.
My car is damp underneath when I take it off and sometimes has moisture on the bodywork. However, this could be due to condensation...I'm not sure yet. However, we've had frequent downpours of rain the past few weeks, so I would image some moisture will get through, plus some will rise off the ground and under the sides of the cover. To be honest, it is quite difficult to tell at the moment as it is so damp and the temperatures are fluctuating a lot, causing higher than average condensation.
Once benefit it the fleece lining, which allows me to put the cover on the car after use and even when damp, without scratching the bodywork.
I haven't tried to get it in its case, but I simply fold it as I remove it from the car and then place it onto a clean side in my garage, which prevents the inside from picking up dirt from the ground. I can then easily and quickly put the cover on in the opposite way in which it came off.
My car is damp underneath when I take it off and sometimes has moisture on the bodywork. However, this could be due to condensation...I'm not sure yet. However, we've had frequent downpours of rain the past few weeks, so I would image some moisture will get through, plus some will rise off the ground and under the sides of the cover. To be honest, it is quite difficult to tell at the moment as it is so damp and the temperatures are fluctuating a lot, causing higher than average condensation.
Once benefit it the fleece lining, which allows me to put the cover on the car after use and even when damp, without scratching the bodywork.
I haven't tried to get it in its case, but I simply fold it as I remove it from the car and then place it onto a clean side in my garage, which prevents the inside from picking up dirt from the ground. I can then easily and quickly put the cover on in the opposite way in which it came off.
Quietlybonkers said:
I will get shot for this....but my, admittedly only 6 months old, Halfrauds £60 medium size cover, breathable and three layer, fits well and is still leakproof......I only got water behind the seats when I left the cover off for two full days of heavens open downpours.
Anthony does the halfrauds one have integrated ties? If not how did you keep it on the car in these winds?When I got my Hamilton classic cover it split the first day, hamiltons customer service was fantastic, they sent me some glue really quickly so I could mend it, brilliant service no ho.
Mine doesn't leak but still gets damp underneath not sure why, but I don't mind as its mainly to stop water finding a way into the car.
I have a garden box which I put the cover in when I take it off, as itoo lost the fight getting it back into its bag
Lester
Yes, it has two long straps that go right under the car and clip into clips the other side. I feed the straps through the wheels for extra certainty.
To be fair, I don't usually bother fixing the straps, as the cover is a really good fit and the elastic at the ends of the cover is so good the thing never budges, strapped on or not.
To be fair, I don't usually bother fixing the straps, as the cover is a really good fit and the elastic at the ends of the cover is so good the thing never budges, strapped on or not.
Quietlybonkers said:
I will get shot for this....but my, admittedly only 6 months old, Halfrauds £60 medium size cover, breathable and three layer, fits well and is still leakproof......I only got water behind the seats when I left the cover off for two full days of heavens open downpours.
Is that the one with only two sets of straps ? I have this cover ,got it for crimbo but the medium was a bit tight .. SILICONEKID340HP said:
Quietlybonkers said:
I will get shot for this....but my, admittedly only 6 months old, Halfrauds £60 medium size cover, breathable and three layer, fits well and is still leakproof......I only got water behind the seats when I left the cover off for two full days of heavens open downpours.
Is that the one with only two sets of straps ? I have this cover ,got it for crimbo but the medium was a bit tight .. Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff