Car Covers and cleaning

[rahlea]

Just got a Chimaera 4.5 and I want to look after it. Can anyone help with the following

1. Car cover

Can anyone recommend a good alternative to the Covercraft car cover? Clearly a cheepo non-breathable cover would not be suitable, but at £330 the Covercraft seems rather pricey.


2. Cleaning and waterproofing the roof

What's best for this and where can you get it?

Cheers

[Gerrard]

Leven Technology do an "In Garage Cover" at £72, or a "Hood Cover" at £150 - I have the hood cover as the car stands outside on the drive over night. Two mins to fit and good quality material.

As for waterproofing the hood, most people will recommend Fabsil from most good outdoor shops (Blacks etc.) Not tried it yet, but I have a can at home waiting.

Gerrard
99T Sapphire Blue Chim 400

[ap_smith]

I had a problem with my CarCraft cover 'cos it took the sheen off the paint when the cover fitted snugly around the car. The bodyshop that sprayed the stone chipped front suggested that this is a generic problem of car covers. Anyone else had this problem?

[apache]

yup....anyone want to buy it?

>> Edited by apache on Tuesday 11th June 14:33

[broomp]

I have just this second ordered a custom fit dust cover from Thoroughbred Covers for £124.95. best price by far for a custom fit. Web site www.thoroughbred-covers.co.uk

How bad is the effect on paint under covers ??

[apache]

the problem with mine (leven hood cover) was when we went on holiday for a week, it had been windy and although it was very snug and tight it had rubbed the finish off the lacquer, cock all you can do about it

[broomp]

I have a hood cover as well and had that problem this winter. Polished the body work in contact with the cover with Mer polish and left it on (no buffing!!) This did the trick

Now have Chim inside the garage so I have ordered an inside dust cover.

[simon.b]

For the roof, try not to clean it at all.

By that I mean when you wash the car try to keep the roof dry. Bush off marks best you can with a cloths brush. If you must clean off any marks left after brushing then try not to us detergents. Basically the more you wash it the more you remove it’s ability to remain water proof. This all sound worse than it is you’ll be surprised how easy it is to keep clean by brushing unless you’re into spotless show car standard, but then I suppose you wouldn’t be out in the rain.

For water proofing I use Thompsons Water Sealer. This can be bought in an aerosol for about £6, just enough to do a couple of coats, or you can brush it on from a tin, available in various sizes from most DIY places. It’s silicone in a solvent and does it stink, once dry it’s virtually invisible on the roof but leave’s silicone marks on paint-work and takes some getting off so be careful. Only needs doing once a year, usually back end of the year.

Cheers,

Simon.


>> Edited by simon.b on Tuesday 11th June 16:10

[robertm]

I bought a Leven hood cover a couple of months ago and was worried about marks where it touches the bodywork, (especially since I've been told by Fernhursts that Desert Moondust paint is £500 per litre!).

So far I've not had any problems, but I always try and remove any dust on the paintwork where the hood will touch, with a small mop/duster that I got from Halfords a couple of years ago. (I think I've seen them referred to as California Dusters somewhere, for about £15 - £20?). It seems to lift the dust without scratching or marking the paintwork.

I've also just asked the wife to order me another similar duster from Lakeland, as they do a 'California Style' duster for about £5.

[bazza2000]

I have a Carcraft cover and I use it all the time I'm not in the car, it's brilliant IMO, keeps all the water off, and you only have to wash it if you drive out in the rain. All I will say is regularly apply a coat of wax, to stop the lacquer or paint from being rubbed off.

[JonRB]

As with ANY car cover, if the car is wet and dirty then the movement of the cover in the wind will turn it into a nice bit of wet & dry sandpaper and scratch the paintwork. Its unavoidable.

The Leven hood cover is better than most as it only contacts the paintwork along the top edges of the doors, which is precisely where my paintwork is dull with a a myriad tiny scratches.

However, I'm sure it will buff out, so I'm not too bothered. It certainly beats soggy carpets and that digusting musty smell that goes with it.

[becky]

Anyone got any experience of the brand Specialised Car Covers based in Yorkshire, in particular the indoor dust cover one....I'm thinking about one for my Griff but a bit concerned about the stories of scratches etc. Also concerned about the very idea of covering the thing up when I spend so much time gazing at it!!!!

[chingfordchimp]

A UK company called Renovo provide a whole range of products for the roof, including dry cleaners, colour restorer (blue, black, brown), and water proof/anti mould. SAAB dealers use them. They also do a product to clean and remove scratches from the rear screen. They have a website and you can order direct, or purchase from your nearest SAAB dealer.

They post the stuff out to you, it is easy to use and works. Recommended.........

>> Edited by chingfordchimp on Wednesday 12th June 13:11

[rahlea]

Thanks for the help/comments.

[hughjayteens]

email me [e-mail] - I might just have what you are looking for!

[nigel2]

How come Fabsil has dropped off the list? Used to be favourite & certainly makes the hood look smart. I found it easier to brush on than sqirting an aerosol all over the place

Nigel

[richb]

I use Fabsil once a year, as you say put it on with a brush not the aerosol spray. Someone (Steve H I think) said that Thompson's Water Seal is much cheaper, but then if it stains th epaintwork I think I'll stick to the Fabsil which doesn't seem to affect the paint at all. Rich...

[chingfordchimp]

I've used Fabsil before and it certainly works.

However the Renovo colour restorer and the waterproofer also work, are also applied via paintbrush but Renovo is designed specifically for soft top cars.

One is endorsed by SAAB the other one by Ramblers

You pay's your money and you makes your choice.