Car covers?
Author
Discussion

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,039 posts

264 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
I have cross-posted this in the MX5 forum, but hoping for a bit more response here.

I bought a Mk2 MX5 at the weekend, in absolutely *mint* condition in every way. Snag is, I don't currently have access to a garage, although the car is parked off the street. I was looking at outdoor car covers, but opinion seems to be mixed, so to err on the side of caution, I reckon a cover that doesn't actually touch the car would be the way to go.

Trouble is, I'm drawing a blank. I can find plenty perambulator garages, carports etc but I can't find any covers that do not touch the car.

The idea I have in my head is a car cover, but with some kind of framework that keeps the material off the surface of the car.

Any ideas?

Trommel

20,365 posts

280 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
Good covers don't really scratch if they fit and you put them on a clean car.

Otherwise (but they look silly):

http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoon.htm#outdoorcarcoo...

http://www.cswshopping.co.uk/documents/price_list_...

E31Shrew

5,962 posts

213 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
Friend of mine manufactures covers. Ask for Adrian

www.classicadditions.co.uk


ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,039 posts

264 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
To be clear, it's not the scratching issue - I would ensure I got such a cover that wouldn't scratch if that was the case.

No, in my research I have came across various people saying that car covers cause condensation to build up, and cause bubbling etc on the paintwork - THAT's what I'm worried about.

TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

271 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
E31Shrew said:
Friend of mine manufactures covers. Ask for Adrian

www.classicadditions.co.uk
Fantastic company, I've bought 3 covers from them now.

W00DY

16,386 posts

247 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
http://www.cartents.co.uk/

First result for car tents on google. Is that what you're looking for? (Had no idea they existed either).

ARH

1,478 posts

260 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
I have used covers for 10 years, never had an issue. buy good ones. don't buy from high street. i sue these http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/acatalog/CarCover... you will get condensation, but it will soon dry.

Trommel

20,365 posts

280 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
I've been using a breathable one from Specialised Car Covers - no condensation, no paint damage.

VXED

383 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
ApexJimi said:
To be clear, it's not the scratching issue - I would ensure I got such a cover that wouldn't scratch if that was the case.

No, in my research I have came across various people saying that car covers cause condensation to build up, and cause bubbling etc on the paintwork - THAT's what I'm worried about.
From what i understand this would only happen if the cover were left on for weeks at a time. I bought mine to prevent bubbling in winter, so far so good (touch wood), but i drive mine everyday so never under cover for long.

CharlieAlpha66

570 posts

256 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
Some years ago, in the days when I owned a TVR, I had an indoor (Sahara) and outdoor (Monsoon) cover from these people. I can highly recommend them.

http://www.cover-zone.com/

As they didn't supply covers for the Chimaera at the time I wanted one, they actually used my car to cut the pattern.

I'm buying a 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet next weekend (just in time for the Goodwood Breakfast Club meeting), for which I intend to buy one of Cover-Zone's new Stormforce outdoor covers.

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,039 posts

264 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
Well, for reference, the car wouldn't be left in-situ undercover for any more than a few days at a time.

ARH

1,478 posts

260 months

Thursday 28th May 2009
quotequote all
I left a car under one for 18 months, apart from cobwebs and dust it looked just blike the day I put it there, it was tatty to start with though.

mrmarcus

668 posts

200 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
quotequote all
Halfords do a breathable outdoor car cover for about £50-60 as far as I remember.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

267 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
quotequote all
What are you trying to achieve with the car cover? Modern paint should be able to cope with winter and summer without difficulty so long as not parked under dripping or bird-infested trees. Regular wash and occasional polish should be enough.

Car cover will interfere with natural ventilation and be a PITA when you want to use the car. I'd avoid.

sherman

14,795 posts

236 months

Sunday 20th September 2009
quotequote all
It sounds like a few of you are after one of these thumbup
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/profile.htm

Edited by sherman on Sunday 20th September 01:41

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,039 posts

264 months

Sunday 20th September 2009
quotequote all
TVR Moneypit said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
What are you trying to achieve with the car cover? Modern paint should be able to cope with winter and summer without difficulty so long as not parked under dripping or bird-infested trees. Regular wash and occasional polish should be enough.

Car cover will interfere with natural ventilation and be a PITA when you want to use the car. I'd avoid.
The car is in long term storage untill I have saved the £30k or so needed to get it sorted, (this could take some time).

I'd like something that is going to offer a little more protection than the dust sheet it has on it at the moment.
Are you talking about the Chim here?

What needs done for it to cost 30k?!

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,039 posts

264 months

Sunday 20th September 2009
quotequote all
Jeez, you weren't kidding with the "TVR Moneypit" yikes

Obviously, I don't know the background, but surely it would be cheaper just to buy a new one? (I mean versus spending 30k)

Edited by ApexJimi on Sunday 20th September 22:53

demon_jako

108 posts

225 months

Monday 21st September 2009
quotequote all
TVR Moneypit said:
ApexJimi said:
TVR Moneypit said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
What are you trying to achieve with the car cover? Modern paint should be able to cope with winter and summer without difficulty so long as not parked under dripping or bird-infested trees. Regular wash and occasional polish should be enough.

Car cover will interfere with natural ventilation and be a PITA when you want to use the car. I'd avoid.
The car is in long term storage untill I have saved the £30k or so needed to get it sorted, (this could take some time).

I'd like something that is going to offer a little more protection than the dust sheet it has on it at the moment.
Are you talking about the Chim here?

What needs done for it to cost 30k?!
Engine. Gearbox. Suspension. Brakes. Exhaust. And a little bodywork.
Geez!

Puts the plans I had for my Chim (about £5 - 7k worth) into perspective.

I assume you are going to keep some of the original car (Like the numberplate hehe )

Paul


demon_jako

108 posts

225 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2009
quotequote all
TVR Moneypit said:
demon_jako said:
TVR Moneypit said:
ApexJimi said:
TVR Moneypit said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
What are you trying to achieve with the car cover? Modern paint should be able to cope with winter and summer without difficulty so long as not parked under dripping or bird-infested trees. Regular wash and occasional polish should be enough.

Car cover will interfere with natural ventilation and be a PITA when you want to use the car. I'd avoid.
The car is in long term storage untill I have saved the £30k or so needed to get it sorted, (this could take some time).

I'd like something that is going to offer a little more protection than the dust sheet it has on it at the moment.
Are you talking about the Chim here?

What needs done for it to cost 30k?!
Engine. Gearbox. Suspension. Brakes. Exhaust. And a little bodywork.
Geez!

Puts the plans I had for my Chim (about £5 - 7k worth) into perspective.

I assume you are going to keep some of the original car (Like the numberplate hehe )

Paul
The brief is to build what will be for me the perfect car.

Chassis and interior already done.

On the shopping list is a Chevy LS producing a reliable 500bhp, TKO600 'box, uprated driveshafts, MK3 Chim nose, spec of suspension and brakes as of yet undecieded.

The cost of the engine and fab & bodywork is likely to take up most of the budget.
Hmmm...

Sounds like a great idea biggrin

Wonder if I can convince my misses that I need to do
something similar woohoo

robm3

4,930 posts

248 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2009
quotequote all
TonyHetherington said:
E31Shrew said:
Friend of mine manufactures covers. Ask for Adrian

www.classicadditions.co.uk
Fantastic company, I've bought 3 covers from them now.
Can second that, here's a shot of a custom one they did for my Ultima.

Good quality...