Your real-world experiences of outdoor covers please...
Discussion
I've convinced myself that buying a classic is a good idea. Having seen one on the way to Goodwood, I'd really love a Lancia Fulvia.
The problem is I don't have a garage and opportunities to rent one in the area and beyond are few and far between. The advice I'm aware of about car covers is generally to avoid them - scratched paint, trapped moisture etc.
I live in Scotland where we get cold, wet winters and this is really the main issue that's holding me back. Part of me is tempted to look for a usable solid car that isn't necessarily pristine, and that I could perhaps look at properly restoring if/when I eventually have access to a garage.
I guess it would be helpful to hear from anyone who uses or has used a cover and whether they've found it to be an acceptable solution?
The problem is I don't have a garage and opportunities to rent one in the area and beyond are few and far between. The advice I'm aware of about car covers is generally to avoid them - scratched paint, trapped moisture etc.
I live in Scotland where we get cold, wet winters and this is really the main issue that's holding me back. Part of me is tempted to look for a usable solid car that isn't necessarily pristine, and that I could perhaps look at properly restoring if/when I eventually have access to a garage.
I guess it would be helpful to hear from anyone who uses or has used a cover and whether they've found it to be an acceptable solution?
I would also look at one similar to Carcoon, or using one of the frame-type of 'garage', assuming you have the space, of course.
One of my cars is kept in a garage under an outdoor cover (others are under indoor-covers), the reason being that I know that very occasionally I might leave it elsewhere overnight where the garage is too small for it. It's only ever been out for a couple of nights, all in the summer, but it did rain once and the cover wasn't fully waterproof, with the paint getting damp on the 'pressure-points, primarily the edges of the roof. It's been in the garage for 15+ years and I haven't noticed any marks on the paint due to the cover.
It wasn't a cheap cover and is supposed to be breatheable and waterproof and is fully lined. It's okay outside as a temporary measure but I wouldn't be happy long-term, particularly if it was in Scotland, knowing what the weather's like there. The advantage of the Carcoon-type, apart from the fact that they're ventilated, is that there is nothing touching the paint to flap or rub against it in the wind.
One of my cars is kept in a garage under an outdoor cover (others are under indoor-covers), the reason being that I know that very occasionally I might leave it elsewhere overnight where the garage is too small for it. It's only ever been out for a couple of nights, all in the summer, but it did rain once and the cover wasn't fully waterproof, with the paint getting damp on the 'pressure-points, primarily the edges of the roof. It's been in the garage for 15+ years and I haven't noticed any marks on the paint due to the cover.
It wasn't a cheap cover and is supposed to be breatheable and waterproof and is fully lined. It's okay outside as a temporary measure but I wouldn't be happy long-term, particularly if it was in Scotland, knowing what the weather's like there. The advantage of the Carcoon-type, apart from the fact that they're ventilated, is that there is nothing touching the paint to flap or rub against it in the wind.
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Sunday 10th October 13:46
ive seen many blistered paint jobs from covers ...some seem not effected
i dont like them ,keep the car clean and waxed /sealant and let the air blow around it and keep it aired , also a pain that if you do use a cover the car needs to be immaculate before fitting it as one bit of grit will scrub into the paint and stick to the cover for next time
i dont like them ,keep the car clean and waxed /sealant and let the air blow around it and keep it aired , also a pain that if you do use a cover the car needs to be immaculate before fitting it as one bit of grit will scrub into the paint and stick to the cover for next time
Edited by steveo3002 on Monday 11th October 10:04
I had one for an MG BGT many years ago, really only because the Webasto roof would leak in extremely heavy rain (read: monsoon). I found the biggest problem was keeping it in place in the wind, and eventually gave up using it unless heavy rain was forecast.
Not wishing to urinate on your fried potatoes, but as someone else said, buy a cheaper classic and trial it for a year or so before spending big. You never know, the market may have settled down by then!
Not wishing to urinate on your fried potatoes, but as someone else said, buy a cheaper classic and trial it for a year or so before spending big. You never know, the market may have settled down by then!
blueovercream said:
I've convinced myself that buying a classic is a good idea. Having seen one on the way to Goodwood, I'd really love a Lancia Fulvia.
The problem is I don't have a garage and opportunities to rent one in the area and beyond are few and far between. The advice I'm aware of about car covers is generally to avoid them - scratched paint, trapped moisture etc.
I live in Scotland where we get cold, wet winters and this is really the main issue that's holding me back. Part of me is tempted to look for a usable solid car that isn't necessarily pristine, and that I could perhaps look at properly restoring if/when I eventually have access to a garage.
I guess it would be helpful to hear from anyone who uses or has used a cover and whether they've found it to be an acceptable solution?
There would be some cars that would survive better than others under an outdoor cover........but an old Lancia isn't one of them The problem is I don't have a garage and opportunities to rent one in the area and beyond are few and far between. The advice I'm aware of about car covers is generally to avoid them - scratched paint, trapped moisture etc.
I live in Scotland where we get cold, wet winters and this is really the main issue that's holding me back. Part of me is tempted to look for a usable solid car that isn't necessarily pristine, and that I could perhaps look at properly restoring if/when I eventually have access to a garage.
I guess it would be helpful to hear from anyone who uses or has used a cover and whether they've found it to be an acceptable solution?
If you find one a usable solid Lancia, its likely because it's already been restored or garaged most of its life, and leaving a car that was in either category outside (especially under a cover) would likely see it deteriorate quite quickly.
Twenty years ago, a friend bought a late 50's Hillman Minx convertible from the second owner, that had owned it from the early 60's and it had been garaged all its life and was lovely and original, and while not mint, was essentially rust free underneath.
She didn't have a garage, and did use an outdoor cover quite a lot, but within 4 years the car had massively deteriorated, and started to rust and degrade. It was sadly a bit of a waste of a lovely car, and she had to sell it after another few years as a restoration project.
Outdoor covers are essentially useless; they mark the paintwork, flog to ribbons in the wind, collect gunge which makes them 'orrible to to remove, look dreadful (you may not care), the straps perish and fail, and they provide precious little protection, except for the mice who want to come and live in your car during the winter when you aren't using it.
They can work but you need a heavy one with a good lining that you hold it down well. The paint problems are the cover moving around to much.
You can use a classic with our a garage but need to keep on top if keeping it clean. Any leaks and get body work done as soon as you see a problem. Using it more often also helps.
You can use a classic with our a garage but need to keep on top if keeping it clean. Any leaks and get body work done as soon as you see a problem. Using it more often also helps.
Huntsman said:
My advice with a Fulvia would be to keep polishing, cleanibg, usibg, cavilty waxing like your life depended on it. It will handle it well.
So I think the consensus is definitely no cover. This was an angle I was also thinking about; keep it outside anyway and just really look after it. I guess if I find one that's been restored/well rust-proofed it should be a good starting point.FWIW I had a 98 Boxtser in Edinburgh, and a garage too full of crap to fit it in. I got a half cover that just went over the soft top, which seemed to cure a lot of issues I had with mysterious moisture behind the drivers seat. It didn't cover the body, so no scratches, and it just kept the rain off the parts that let a little water in.
some bloke said:
FWIW I had a 98 Boxtser in Edinburgh, and a garage too full of crap to fit it in. I got a half cover that just went over the soft top, which seemed to cure a lot of issues I had with mysterious moisture behind the drivers seat. It didn't cover the body, so no scratches, and it just kept the rain off the parts that let a little water in.
canvas roof wont blister and scuff though will ithonestly if its a museum quality lancia you really need to keep it in a dry garage , choose something a bit newer than can last sitting outside with regular cleaning etc
Seems its very personal experiences with covers,my 987.2 Boxster has lived outside for the last 5 years under a moltex cover,its on its second one now,they last about 3 years. Always clean it before I put the cover on and its still unmarked. Leaks a little under torrential conditions but soon dries out,car gets used sporadically,parked in a sheltered spot,never had a problem would recommend.
I bought quite an expensive cover that was meant to cope with storm force rain, it was ok for that purpose but condensation built up under the cover and the discs and wheels still corroded let alone the underside of the car so I switched to using a Carcoon, you just can’t compare!
If you get the right size they are barely bigger than the footprint of the car, maybe a few feet taller than the roof
If you get the right size they are barely bigger than the footprint of the car, maybe a few feet taller than the roof
I’ve used a lightweight breathable cover before, and it was okay, but I wouldn’t have wanted to keep it on for more than a day or two. They’re good for keeping rain out of leaky cars but they don’t really protect against the real killer - damp. I think your plan of leaving it outdoors and looking after it is a good one. Two tips: 1. make sure the car is really waterproof before you buy (if it leaks - and many do around those frameless windows) for Gods sake don’t buy it. This is not as easy to check as it sounds. 2. Be rigorous in your keeping it frequently driven and aired - don’t just lock it and leave it for weeks on end all winter. This may prove a massive pain the the arse but is essential.
If it was me, I’d be looking at other options as well as a Lancia. They are lovely but terribly fragile, and I wouldn’t reckon on one surviving Scottish winters outdoors for very long. Consider something a bit tougher - think German, Swedish, fibreglass, or galvanised…
If it was me, I’d be looking at other options as well as a Lancia. They are lovely but terribly fragile, and I wouldn’t reckon on one surviving Scottish winters outdoors for very long. Consider something a bit tougher - think German, Swedish, fibreglass, or galvanised…
Edited by Sid's Dad on Wednesday 13th October 16:11
Edited by Sid's Dad on Wednesday 13th October 16:13
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff