Discussion
Easy - https://www.specialisedcovers.com/
Ordered my third Stormshield Outdoors cover. A1 quality and fit. Choice of colours including dark green. You can also mix and match fabric panel colours.
Ordered my third Stormshield Outdoors cover. A1 quality and fit. Choice of colours including dark green. You can also mix and match fabric panel colours.
That looks promising, many thanks.
One oddity (apart from the spelling!): 'all out door covers are patterened and designed with the wing mirrors out in the open position. Due to the nature of the outdoor material the covers will not fit when the car is locked and the mirrors are retracted.'
Seems odd when cars at this level will retract their mirrors. I guess you just get two flappy bits on each side!
One oddity (apart from the spelling!): 'all out door covers are patterened and designed with the wing mirrors out in the open position. Due to the nature of the outdoor material the covers will not fit when the car is locked and the mirrors are retracted.'
Seems odd when cars at this level will retract their mirrors. I guess you just get two flappy bits on each side!
Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 23 October 21:55
Nigel_O said:
Do the darker colours fade at all?
I quite fancy a black cover, but not if it’s going to fade to grey - sooner have grey from the start
One reason I can think of against dark colours, especially black, is how hot the car would get inside if parked in the sun.I quite fancy a black cover, but not if it’s going to fade to grey - sooner have grey from the start
It's still odd that mirror pockets are compulsory and not an option. It will look a bit naff with flappy things hanging down on each side.
Nigel_O said:
Do the darker colours fade at all?
I quite fancy a black cover, but not if it’s going to fade to grey - sooner have grey from the start
The material is very high quality, so I doubt it. It will probably discolour more from gathering dirt. It isn’t the deepest black to start with. But never considered it remotely grey.I quite fancy a black cover, but not if it’s going to fade to grey - sooner have grey from the start
Simpo Two said:
One reason I can think of against dark colours, especially black, is how hot the car would get inside if parked in the sun.
It's still odd that mirror pockets are compulsory and not an option. It will look a bit naff with flappy things hanging down on each side.
With the mirrors folded in, the cover still slips over them. At least they do for me.It's still odd that mirror pockets are compulsory and not an option. It will look a bit naff with flappy things hanging down on each side.
I think they’re just covering their backs.
nickv12 said:
Easy - https://www.specialisedcovers.com/
Ordered my third Stormshield Outdoors cover. A1 quality and fit. Choice of colours including dark green. You can also mix and match fabric panel colours.
Same here, had one for my Elise 20 years ago, then my Vantage coupe for 9 years and last 6 years on the Roadster. The cover tailored fit is perfect and great quality, no flapping about or paint rubbing issues. I put in on with the mirrors out and lock the car they mirrors fold in, the mirror pockets fit fine either way. This is a 6 year sold design not sure if they have updated.Ordered my third Stormshield Outdoors cover. A1 quality and fit. Choice of colours including dark green. You can also mix and match fabric panel colours.
I only use it for extended periods of non-use, it wouldn't be practical for daily use as you really want to clean and dry the car first before putting the cover on.
I suppose the irony for me is that when I had an XK, the mirrors didn't have powerfold - and the cover didn't have pockets.
Now that my car has powerfold, I can only get a cover with pockets!
Anyway, on the plus side, I spent a useful hour getting the scratches out of the LH headlamp cover this afternoon. Took 400 grit to shift the biggest two!
The next thing on the cosmetics list is the brackets under the door mirrors - they're a bit corroded round the edge with bare metal showing. Is there a good way to address this before I just get a pot of satin black Humbrol enamel out?
Now that my car has powerfold, I can only get a cover with pockets!
Anyway, on the plus side, I spent a useful hour getting the scratches out of the LH headlamp cover this afternoon. Took 400 grit to shift the biggest two!
The next thing on the cosmetics list is the brackets under the door mirrors - they're a bit corroded round the edge with bare metal showing. Is there a good way to address this before I just get a pot of satin black Humbrol enamel out?
Re the mirror arms - you could DIY small bits with some black touch up enamel and it might match ok.
Its not an expensive job to have done by dealer in my experience they just charged £150 last time during a service to take both arms off and spray them. Quite disappointing at the time this was when my Roadster was just 4.5 years old.
Its not an expensive job to have done by dealer in my experience they just charged £150 last time during a service to take both arms off and spray them. Quite disappointing at the time this was when my Roadster was just 4.5 years old.
Please be careful with car covers. I’ve had to fix so many scratches over the years because people using car covers. The cling tight, so any bit of dirt or grit will be dragged up the car if you are not careful. Only use them once the car has been washed and always remember to wash under the bumpers and sills.
True - only put on a clean car. Also, the Specialised covers have a fleece-ish inner lining which would get very dirty and hold any grit if used on a dirty car.
I’ve never had scratching problems, but I also use the straps under the car to avoid flapping. And it’s under cover, so it doesn’t get wet which might help.
I’ve never had scratching problems, but I also use the straps under the car to avoid flapping. And it’s under cover, so it doesn’t get wet which might help.
It's worth noting that dirt can still get in on a windy day. I've had cars that have been spotless when covered and have emerged pretty dusty. The fleece lining on Stormshield covers is great but will need occasional hoovering. washing to lift out the inevitable fine particles of dust that blow in.
By the way, the wing mirror pockets work fine with the mirrors in or out.
By the way, the wing mirror pockets work fine with the mirrors in or out.
paddy328 said:
Please be careful with car covers. I’ve had to fix so many scratches over the years because people using car covers. The cling tight, so any bit of dirt or grit will be dragged up the car if you are not careful. Only use them once the car has been washed and always remember to wash under the bumpers and sills.
It's an interesting point. I first started using a cover when I had an XK convertible, otherwise the hood went green. But it also kept the whole car cleaner longer - no bird poo, dirty rain residue or leaves in the scuttle. And it provides a little protection in the event my neighbour is a bit careless opening his car door. When it's not on the car it's on the garage floor which is vinyl so pretty clean.Dark colors will fade, and light color gray will stay cooler in the sun.
The uncovered cars will fade, plastic will degrade, the interiors deteriorate, seats split, leather dries out, and headlights will eventually yellow and turn cloudy. I will gladly put up with a few minor scratches that are easily polished out.
But I agree, cars must be kept clean, if a car is dirty, don't cover it till it is. Purchase a good outdoor cover, not cheap, that is washable and expect to replace it every few years.
That said, I would never keep my Vantage outside even with the best cover, it is too special to me.
paddy328 said:
Please be careful with car covers. I’ve had to fix so many scratches over the years because people using car covers. The cling tight, so any bit of dirt or grit will be dragged up the car if you are not careful. Only use them once the car has been washed and always remember to wash under the bumpers and sills.
Yes, but I have had new cars kept outside that I never covered, ones that have always been covered. The covered cars don't fade, the plastic parts last well, the interiors don't dry out, split, fade, and the headlight and other lights never fade or turn cloudy and yellow. The uncovered cars will fade, plastic will degrade, the interiors deteriorate, seats split, leather dries out, and headlights will eventually yellow and turn cloudy. I will gladly put up with a few minor scratches that are easily polished out.
But I agree, cars must be kept clean, if a car is dirty, don't cover it till it is. Purchase a good outdoor cover, not cheap, that is washable and expect to replace it every few years.
That said, I would never keep my Vantage outside even with the best cover, it is too special to me.
Edited by AstonV on Monday 25th October 20:44
Simpo Two said:
Is it possible to get a good exterior cover that's not grey? I'd like a dark green one, but only interior covers come in colours it seems...
Very happy with my covercraft weathershield HP cover for my DB9. Comes in many colours, made especially for the vehicle, and fits with mirrors folded or unfolded. Still going strong after 7 years…LooneyTunes said:
Rather than start a new thread, does anyone know which of the indoor covers at best for a Volante? Obviously don’t want to buy one that’s going to shed fibres from any lining onto the hood…
(It’s for indoor use)
Aston supply a liner to put on the hood under the cover, for up to 2018 cars only £16.80 part number is 702993(It’s for indoor use)
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