Outdoor covers

[asm993]

Hello
Just about to purchase a 993 (my first Porsche) and was wondering if anyone here could recommend an outdoor/all weather cover for it?
Many thanks in advance.

[domster]

I always use cover systems ones; sturdy and good value. A 911 outdoor cover is about 100 GBP, not the 2-3x as much you pay for the latest fully breathable ones (which are overkill in my book).

www.cover-systems.com/carcovers/page2a.htm

I actually have a '911-non-spoiler' cover unused in my loft at the moment, which was going to be used on my 964RS. It hasn't even been out of the courier bag. Email me through my profile if this interests.

[ICSD]

I have a CoverCraft Noah which I bought mail order from the States (less than half the price)www.bigskycarcovers.com/ and which has been superb. The only down side is that it's a little heavy when it's wet so the CoverCraft Weathershield may be better - up to you but this company does both.

[vpr]

Don't covers cause more harm than good?

I always thought they created and trapped moisture. Better to get some air round it.

[vpr]

Don't covers cause more harm than good?

I always thought they created and trapped moisture. Better to get some air round it.

[ICSD]

vpr said:

Don't covers cause more harm than good? I always thought they created and trapped moisture. Better to get some air round it.

No, the CoverCraft ones breath so moisture's not a problem. Only slight issue is that if the car's dirty and it's windy you can get a bit of a sand paper effect but nothing major and can be easily polished out.

[domster]

vpr said:

Don't covers cause more harm than good? I always thought they created and trapped moisture. Better to get some air round it.

I never understand this 'trapping moisture' theory. The car is outside, it gets wet. An outdoor cover slips over the car when it is dry and keeps it dry. If you put a non-breathable one on a wet car, it 'traps' the moisture on the bodywork, but it would be wet from the rain anyway.

- In practice, the non-breathable ones billow with the wind, so they are not a clingfilm tight fit, some air can still flow over the bodywork
- Car covers are not rust preventatives; warm garages are. A non-breathable cover on a car will rust no more than a car left outside in the rain with no cover on. i.e. not much if built this decade.
- Airflow to wheelarches etc still takes place, they are not airtight.

I have had both breathable and non-breathable covers. I noticed no difference between the two in terms of performance, really. I bought them to keep cats off, keep tree sap off and keep vandals from seeing what the car was. It was a pain to lock them so I preferred the cheaper ones in case they got blown away or lost/stolen. Make sure it has good straps!

[ICSD]

Has anyone ever tried one of those folding garage thingys?

[asm993]

Thanks to all for replies. Domster, its got a spoiler so your cover wont fit but thanks anyhows for the suggestion. Think I will go the U.S.; route for getting a weathershield or Noah cover although I'm told the rhd and lhd version differ (something to do with the mirrors...if anyone can dispel this then please do!).
Whats the "folding garage thingy?"
p.s. I really cant wait to get the car!!!

[ICSD]

asm993 said:

Thanks to all for replies. Domster, its got a spoiler so your cover wont fit but thanks anyhows for the suggestion. Think I will go the U.S.; route for getting a weathershield or Noah cover although I'm told the rhd and lhd version differ (something to do with the mirrors...if anyone can dispel this then please do!). Whats the "folding garage thingy?" p.s. I really cant wait to get the car!!!

Look at the link on Domsters first post at the top of the thread for folding garages - I e-mailed them to ask how it responded in the wind and they said it was fine but I'm still dubious about it blowing against my car - quite expensive as well!

Re the LHD/RHD issue, the 911 mirrors aren't too far off set so it's hardly an issue and hasn't affected my use of the cover.

[domster]

re the mirrors, yes they are in differenty positions, hence the LHD/RHD difference

but it depends how closely tailored the cover is...

make sure you mention the spoiler, as most 993 covers will be sans rear wing... speak to someone that knows the covers rather than simply flogs them on the end of a phone

i don't see the point of the temp garage... they are designed to be foldable/collapsible so they have only temporary integrity. You could bolt them to the tarmac, but if you have the space why not just build a carport... you can get uPVC ready made ones for a few hundred and a nice wooden one made by a chippy for a grand or so. In the meantime, a cover is a good thing. I just got a bit tired of using mine on windy days as unfurling/refurling them takes about 5 mins before/after you get in, and it was always cluttering my hall... you really need a garage to put the car cover in, LOL.

all the best chaps

dom

[domster]

domster said:

vpr said: Don't covers cause more harm than good? I always thought they created and trapped moisture. Better to get some air round it. I never understand this 'trapping moisture' theory. The car is outside, it gets wet. An outdoor cover slips over the car when it is dry and keeps it dry. If you put a non-breathable one on a wet car, it 'traps' the moisture on the bodywork, but it would be wet from the rain anyway. - In practice, the non-breathable ones billow with the wind, so they are not a clingfilm tight fit, some air can still flow over the bodywork - Car covers are not rust preventatives; warm garages are. A non-breathable cover on a car will rust no more than a car left outside in the rain with no cover on. i.e. not much if built this decade. - Airflow to wheelarches etc still takes place, they are not airtight. I have had both breathable and non-breathable covers. I noticed no difference between the two in terms of performance, really. I bought them to keep cats off, keep tree sap off and keep vandals from seeing what the car was. It was a pain to lock them so I preferred the cheaper ones in case they got blown away or lost/stolen. Make sure it has good straps!

Thinking about this, I suppose a non-breathable cover could keep a car's exterior wet for longer if you put the cover on after a shower then it was sunny all week, so that wouldn't be as good as just leaving it outside where there is better airflow. Trick would be to put it on only when dry or dry the car first ; this won't be ideal as you could scratch the paint if you don't clean it first. However, I used to chuck non-breathable covers on when wet - so they clinged - and a bit of water never hurt the car. The cover came off the next day; maybe if you left it for months/years you may speed up some rust, but there was some airflow - especially when it billowed on windy days.

[roygarth]

I've used one for a couple of years and can confirm that Covercraft Weathershield is best as breathable and folds up into nothing...literally! Noah is quite bulky.