Outside car cover recommendations
Discussion
As I finalize getting my first McLaren, my thoughts turn to protection. I have to keep it on my drive as my garage is full of other stuff and anyway is probably too small.
What recommended car covers are out there. I have done a search and there is a fair spread of prices for some similar looking products. Any specific recommendations or things to look out for.
Many Thanks
What recommended car covers are out there. I have done a search and there is a fair spread of prices for some similar looking products. Any specific recommendations or things to look out for.
Many Thanks
I have one from Classic Additions for my XK. Has been on since end of Jan and dry as a bone underneath. Perfect
https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car...
https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car...
Plenty of decent quality options out there ....... watch out for water pooling in the bottom of the doors and in the gutter under the frunk after washing.
Once you put the cover on it could stay there for weeks -> Open the doors to drain them out and lift the bonnet to mop out under the front of it.
Once you put the cover on it could stay there for weeks -> Open the doors to drain them out and lift the bonnet to mop out under the front of it.
When I bought my McLaren last year it was recommended to me not to use a car cover if the car lives outside (which mine does). Any moisture while the car is covered can cause significant damage to the paintwork.
My car has lived outside through all weathers in South Wales. Heavy rain, minus temperatures and still looks as good as new. Just make sure you give it a spin regularly and the car will be just fine without any cover.
My car has lived outside through all weathers in South Wales. Heavy rain, minus temperatures and still looks as good as new. Just make sure you give it a spin regularly and the car will be just fine without any cover.
Use the money saved on a car cover a shed and put the crap in that! I had a Stormshield from Specialised, at the time (10 years ago) it was about £300.
It was great for the first couple of winters, but water did pool and get through, which meant keeping an eye on it.
However after a couple of years I noticed rubbing marks on the car flanks when I took it off, and closer inspection showed very fine dust on the car. It wasn't there when the cover went on, and it was a fairly uniform coveringof dust, so either it worked its way through as the cover aged, or blew under, and washed through. Either way as the wind moved the cover it had rubbed the paint, not abdly, but enough to see in the right light and required a bit of polishing out.
After about 5 years and waterproof properties had completely gone. Also when you take them off you need to be really careful the inside keeps away from the ground, otherwise the flock inner picks up dirt.
I wouldn't bother with one again, less hassle to rent a garage for the winter or use something cheap and washable just for UV protection and get the car paintwork sealed before winter.
It was great for the first couple of winters, but water did pool and get through, which meant keeping an eye on it.
However after a couple of years I noticed rubbing marks on the car flanks when I took it off, and closer inspection showed very fine dust on the car. It wasn't there when the cover went on, and it was a fairly uniform coveringof dust, so either it worked its way through as the cover aged, or blew under, and washed through. Either way as the wind moved the cover it had rubbed the paint, not abdly, but enough to see in the right light and required a bit of polishing out.
After about 5 years and waterproof properties had completely gone. Also when you take them off you need to be really careful the inside keeps away from the ground, otherwise the flock inner picks up dirt.
I wouldn't bother with one again, less hassle to rent a garage for the winter or use something cheap and washable just for UV protection and get the car paintwork sealed before winter.
I'd echo the above. Aluminium panelled cars like McLarens can have an issue with paint corrosion, I wouldn't want to risk causing it by using a cover. The manufacturer should have tested the car to withstand being parked outside, it won't have tested it with the various available car covers.
Option 1 would be to clear out the garage. You need about 2.6m interior width to get a door fully open on a 650, and it's a hair over 4.5m long. For the entrance the car is about 2.1m wide with mirrors extended. My garage entrance is 2.35m and it's fine.
Personally I spent a fair amount of time and money getting my garage door replaced and widened before buying a Mac, I have to say I feel reassured to have it tucked up in there. I may be just being precious though!
Option 2 would be to park it outside without a cover, as above a modern car should fine. It might be worth getting PPF on the car for a bit of extra protection.
Option 1 would be to clear out the garage. You need about 2.6m interior width to get a door fully open on a 650, and it's a hair over 4.5m long. For the entrance the car is about 2.1m wide with mirrors extended. My garage entrance is 2.35m and it's fine.
Personally I spent a fair amount of time and money getting my garage door replaced and widened before buying a Mac, I have to say I feel reassured to have it tucked up in there. I may be just being precious though!
Option 2 would be to park it outside without a cover, as above a modern car should fine. It might be worth getting PPF on the car for a bit of extra protection.
samoht said:
I'd echo the above. Aluminium panelled cars like McLarens can have an issue with paint corrosion, I wouldn't want to risk causing it by using a cover. The manufacturer should have tested the car to withstand being parked outside, it won't have tested it with the various available car covers.
Option 1 would be to clear out the garage. You need about 2.6m interior width to get a door fully open on a 650, and it's a hair over 4.5m long. For the entrance the car is about 2.1m wide with mirrors extended. My garage entrance is 2.35m and it's fine.
Personally I spent a fair amount of time and money getting my garage door replaced and widened before buying a Mac, I have to say I feel reassured to have it tucked up in there. I may be just being precious though!
Option 2 would be to park it outside without a cover, as above a modern car should fine. It might be worth getting PPF on the car for a bit of extra protection.
That is super useful. My garage has a doorway of 2.1m and a width of 2.55m at the widest. It would be a serious squeezeOption 1 would be to clear out the garage. You need about 2.6m interior width to get a door fully open on a 650, and it's a hair over 4.5m long. For the entrance the car is about 2.1m wide with mirrors extended. My garage entrance is 2.35m and it's fine.
Personally I spent a fair amount of time and money getting my garage door replaced and widened before buying a Mac, I have to say I feel reassured to have it tucked up in there. I may be just being precious though!
Option 2 would be to park it outside without a cover, as above a modern car should fine. It might be worth getting PPF on the car for a bit of extra protection.
GTPork said:
What’s the reason for the cover? Security or just general protection?
Partially to make it less obvious. I mean the shape tells there is something out of the ordinary under it but it is a Mantis Green 650s so kind of a standout colour.My thoughts were also to protect it from direct rain as there are some water ingress stories with McLarens.
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