Car covers, yes or no?
Poll: Car covers, yes or no?
Total Members Polled: 57
Discussion
I'm picking up a new car tomorrow and I'm debating the values of a good quality car cover. The reasons are to help keep it clean and hopefully make it less conspicuous (I'm not sure on this point, but it might help).
The car will be kept outside on my drive, it's sheltered by the house on two sides.
Are covers faffy of you don't let the car air every couple of weeks?
Does the car have to be spotless before putting the cover on, as I imagine the grit from the road will get rubbed in as the cover moves in the wind.
Does have a PPF wrap make any difference? (The car has one already applied)
For reference is the Concours Galartic I'm looking at
Any other thoughts or insights? I'm very much on the fence at the moment.
The car will be kept outside on my drive, it's sheltered by the house on two sides.
Are covers faffy of you don't let the car air every couple of weeks?
Does the car have to be spotless before putting the cover on, as I imagine the grit from the road will get rubbed in as the cover moves in the wind.
Does have a PPF wrap make any difference? (The car has one already applied)
For reference is the Concours Galartic I'm looking at
Any other thoughts or insights? I'm very much on the fence at the moment.
I only use an indoor cover, not an outdoor one, but I can answer two of your questions with certainty.
Yes, the cover can only be used if the car is completely clean and dry. And no, PPF doesn't change that.
I've heard mixed opinions on outdoor covers because they aren't breathable like indoor ones and they flap about in the wind on the paintwork.
Yes, the cover can only be used if the car is completely clean and dry. And no, PPF doesn't change that.
I've heard mixed opinions on outdoor covers because they aren't breathable like indoor ones and they flap about in the wind on the paintwork.
Tried them in the past, wouldn't do so again.
Faff to fit and, to a lesser extent, remove. Car has to be dry before covering so another faff in the UK.
Risk of damage to paintwork if wind blows cover about, albeit less likely with softer more fitted covers.
As for keeping the car inconspicuous, I found covered cars often attract the curious who want to see what is underneath, particularly when the profile clearly depicts something low and sporty.
Faff to fit and, to a lesser extent, remove. Car has to be dry before covering so another faff in the UK.
Risk of damage to paintwork if wind blows cover about, albeit less likely with softer more fitted covers.
As for keeping the car inconspicuous, I found covered cars often attract the curious who want to see what is underneath, particularly when the profile clearly depicts something low and sporty.
I have one over my R53 project, but only because its leaking water into the boot and I haven't yet had weather good enough to sort, the cover has kept it nice and dry inside vs. the aquarium that usually develops in the boot.
It may well be damaging the paintwork, but given the state of this before the cover, I doubt anyone would notice.
It may well be damaging the paintwork, but given the state of this before the cover, I doubt anyone would notice.
I use a car cover for a few weeks when the leaves are falling as otherwise they end up in all the air intakes etc.
After that I leave the car to the elements as outdoor covers trap moisture and will fubar paintwork.
Even the manufacturer-supplied cover I have says to remove it after 7 days presumably to allow moisture to escape
After that I leave the car to the elements as outdoor covers trap moisture and will fubar paintwork.
Even the manufacturer-supplied cover I have says to remove it after 7 days presumably to allow moisture to escape
Countdown said:
The fleece-lined ones look pretty good and shouldn t damage the paint I would have thought?
They can still drag dirt / grit across your car as you put them on.I use them indoors for when the car is tucked away for a while e.g. a classic Merc I've got which I cleaned some weeks ago and had put in the garage, won't see the light of day until the spring, so it now has its car cover over. This is to keep any general crap or dust dropping on it from inside the garage - and frankly because why not!
I did have to store a couple of cars outside for some weeks when we had building work. They were covered in tarp, but it was horrible on every level - flapping around in the wind, however well tied down it was, and it seemed to retain / create moisture underneath it somehow, which wasn't a great thing. I wouldn't do it again, for sure.
Not a fan of outdoor car covers. No matter how good and no matter how soft they are on the inside, it just takes one tiny bit of grit to be in there and it'll scratch your car.
I had a black 630i. Got an outdoor cover and also an ultra soft indoor cover. But still ended up with a tiny bit of grit that scratched the car.
I also did the full big bubble outside carcoon type covers for my Z4 coupe - with an ultra soft cover underneath just in case.
That worked well but they are big and unsightly looking, also the fans are noisy and its a ball ache to get your car in and out.
I'd it tucked in to the side of our garage around the back of the house but it was still an ugly looking thing.
I had a black 630i. Got an outdoor cover and also an ultra soft indoor cover. But still ended up with a tiny bit of grit that scratched the car.
I also did the full big bubble outside carcoon type covers for my Z4 coupe - with an ultra soft cover underneath just in case.
That worked well but they are big and unsightly looking, also the fans are noisy and its a ball ache to get your car in and out.
I'd it tucked in to the side of our garage around the back of the house but it was still an ugly looking thing.
Storing a car outside is a pain if it's not used. The best compromise I've found is build a car port. Fairly cheap, can go a decade before needing a refurb (roof goes cloudy, wood might rot). Keeping the rain directly off the car means most leaks aren't an issue, the sun gets to it to dry it off on a good day (put a windscreen deflector in).
Then it's a good excuse to use it to dry it out and charge the battery.
Then it's a good excuse to use it to dry it out and charge the battery.
I have one for the M2C when it is on the drive. Use it whenever I am away for longer periods, over New Years when the occasional drunken bellend is passing by, or when I know some nasty weather is approaching. Otherwise, more trouble than it is worth.
Be sure to keep the inner part clean.
Be sure to keep the inner part clean.
I wouldn't - straps and edges tend to rub and mark the paint (or film in your case), they tend to trap damp in too.
It sounds like it reasonably well protected by the house, just go with it.
If you didn't hav film I'd sy get a good covering of wax / coating of your choice on the paintwork and it'll be fine. I'm not quite sure f the best course of action with PPF.
It sounds like it reasonably well protected by the house, just go with it.
If you didn't hav film I'd sy get a good covering of wax / coating of your choice on the paintwork and it'll be fine. I'm not quite sure f the best course of action with PPF.
Thanks for all the other replies. I thought that this was more of a 50/50 than the poll suggests.
Shnozz said:
Tried them in the past, wouldn't do so again.
Faff to fit and, to a lesser extent, remove. Car has to be dry before covering so another faff in the UK.
Risk of damage to paintwork if wind blows cover about, albeit less likely with softer more fitted covers.
As for keeping the car inconspicuous, I found covered cars often attract the curious who want to see what is underneath, particularly when the profile clearly depicts something low and sporty.
Thanks for the above, I think this is the view I'd most likely end up taking after shuffling the cover off every so often. It'll stop the impulsive runs in the car of I have to deal with the cover. Faff to fit and, to a lesser extent, remove. Car has to be dry before covering so another faff in the UK.
Risk of damage to paintwork if wind blows cover about, albeit less likely with softer more fitted covers.
As for keeping the car inconspicuous, I found covered cars often attract the curious who want to see what is underneath, particularly when the profile clearly depicts something low and sporty.
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