Outdoor cover versus Carport.

[ilikeAstons]

I park my DB9 in a brick built car port - i.e.. nor garage door, and open sides.

What's your opinion on this?

Should I use the outdoor car cover I have or not? The car stays dry under the carport when it rains but does collect dust when sitting there.

I have a fitted outdoor cover which is breathable but I worry about scratching the car (even though I would only put it on when spotlessly clean), and to be honest, I'm not sure I trust the 'breathability' anyway.

What would YOU do?

[Mako V12V]

I have been told by a professional detailer that any outdoor car cover no matter how good it is will rub up against the car in windy weather thus potentially damaging the paint. My main concern parking the car outside is water. If your car is staying dry whilst outside then that's the main thing. The wind will pass around the car and aerate it so as long it's it's it's staying dry I would leave the cover off. Hope this helps.

[goddo]

Mako V12V said:

I have been told by a professional detailer that any outdoor car cover no matter how good it is will rub up against the car in windy weather thus potentially damaging the paint. My main concern parking the car outside is water. If your car is staying dry whilst outside then that's the main thing. The wind will pass around the car and aerate it so as long it's it's it's staying dry I would leave the cover off. Hope this helps.

I agree entirely about the cover. Continuous flapping or "wafting" of the cover is eventually going to mark the paintwork. The only alternative is one of the inflatable ones but if the car is kept dry by the carport, then let the air circulate and remove the risk of condensation.

[HBradley]

Perhaps the 'car bubble' thing might not be a bad idea. I've got not experience of using the outdoor ones, but the ones with the rigid frame do look pretty effective, particularly not having to deflate the thing to get the car out.

[cayman-black]

Use the cover they do no damage at all and will protect it if used as you say with a perfectly clean car.
A few years ago i kept my cars outside and always used a specialised fitted car cover ,they are very good.
I have also had a carcoon if you want to know more about those.

[ilikeAstons]

Hi, yes. I would definitely like to more about a carcoon. Did you rate it?

[craigjm]

Outdoor carcoon looks great but they need constant power don't they?

[Jon39]

Lateral thinking time.

You say your carport keeps out the rain, so that aspect is good.
It will presumably also enable a wet car to dry, which is when an enclosed garage is not a good idea.

As well as a car cover presenting the risk of scratches, it is also a faff to put on, take off, and then store somewhere.

Dust is the main problem then.
My suggestion to solve that, would be a form of sliding curtain on the open sides of the car port.
Various types of fabric could do the job, from lightweight coloured polyester to heavier cotton tarpaulin.
The right colour should enable it to be discrete.
It should be very easy to use, and could be left slightly ajar if your car is put away wet.

Do you think this idea might be a possibility for you?

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 17th September 12:46

[Phil74891]

If it was mine I would get it detailed and sealed with GTechniq Crystal Rock (or the best current equivalent) then leave it in the car port with no cover.

[craigjm]

Carport Curtains.... interesting idea

[cayman-black]

Ok so if the car is not used too much a carcoon is superb. you drive the car on to the base matt then put the rest on like a cover all zipped up and then it needs to be plugged into the mains as they have fans blowing air in so the car is completely sealed . The electric goes direct into a battery charger so at the same time charges the cars battery and then if there is a power loss the charger takes over and keeps the carcoon running. They really are superb but require a little more work to put the car away.
Mine was tested in all weathers including nearly a foot of snow on top of it .

[DBPHiL]

ilikeAstons said:

I park my DB9 in a brick built car port - i.e.. nor garage door, and open sides.

What's your opinion on this?

Should I use the outdoor car cover I have or not? The car stays dry under the carport when it rains but does collect dust when sitting there.

I have a fitted outdoor cover which is breathable but I worry about scratching the car (even though I would only put it on when spotlessly clean), and to be honest, I'm not sure I trust the 'breathability' anyway.

What would YOU do?

Just get a California Duster

[steveatesh]

Here's me thinking Aston Martins are cars!

Didn't realise they melted in the rain!

[Cold]

craigjm said:

Carport Curtains.... interesting idea

Indeed. Make them rigid and out of wood, then have some sort of opening and closing device at one end...

[Loose_Cannon]

Phil74891 said:

If it was mine I would get it detailed and sealed with GTechniq Crystal Rock (or the best current equivalent) then leave it in the car port with no cover.

This^^

[CSK1]

Well, I can contribute as I used to have the same dilemma a couple of years ago when we had a house with no garage and only carports.
I went for the OE Aston Martin Ultimate Outdoor Car Cover as recommended by my friendly dealer. No worries about it damaging the paint as it doesn't flap with wind at all, it fits really tight, there are two straps going under the car and it didn't move one bit even with the extremely strong Mistral winds we experience in the St Tropez area. The material is waterproof but at the same time let's the air through, it is really great.
Your car needs to be dustfree and clean before putting it on. I used to put the cover on when not using the car for a period of time.
Now we have moved house and we have a garage I use the same cover indoors.

[kbooker]

A few years ago I used an extremely good quality fitted outdoor car cover with underbody straps over winter, it damaged the paint in several area's, it was a T-cut job to remove most of it and one area needed paint...I really wouldn't risk it...

[CSK1]

There's no risk whatsoever using the Aston Martin Ultimate Outdoor Car Cover specifically made for your model. It fits really tight and didn't damage my paint even during extremely strong winds.

[Manx V8V]

I used a tailored breathable outdoor cover for about 7 years on my old Mitsibishi GTO before I had a garage, and it did keep the car very well overall, keeping off bird poo and preventing UV from damaging the leather, but it did tend dull the paint slightly in places due to chafing in the wind, even though it fitted like a glove and was pulled down tightly with underbody straps.

Mine was from a company called 'cover systems' and was really nice quality, it was so soft I actually thought they'd sent me an indoor cover by mistake when it first arrived, I still have it and sometimes use it on the Aston as a dust cover in the garage.

I do find that in the garage some fine dust still gets through onto the Aston though, probably because it's a breathable cover, so if you have a decent car port there is nothing much to be gained with a cover, apart from keeping corrosive bird poo off the car.

Edited by Manx V8V on Sunday 17th September 23:45

[M5MarkM]

I'd say build the brick sides and back of your carport, I wouldn't want to leave my Aston outside. I did keep mine inside in a carcoon and Carcoon do an outside unit, probably worth looking at.