Lined cover for the winter

[Annette]

My car will not be garaged over the winter and I am concerned about bird droppings etc. Can anyone recommend a robust cover which will minimise damp and not stick to the paintwork?

[Old Peter]

Hi Ann, and welcome to the club.

I have searched for covers, and have had two, which regrettably did stick when wet.

I did see a cover being used that was very well lined and rather robust, but it was in Arizona and being used against the sun and the odd dust storms.

I have also seen some advertised in the UK but they are quite costly. 

Regards,

Peter.

[Annette]

Thanks Peter. I would rather buy a costly cover than have to face a respray! Can anyone else help?

Ann

[BigM]

3 hours ago, Annette said:

Thanks Peter. I would rather buy a costly cover than have to face a respray! Can anyone else help?

Ann

 Hi Ann,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have any personal experience of car covers, as I looked into them and decided they weren't for me, as I like my paintwork too much. I went down the car detailing route of applying a good winter wax/sealant and adopting a regular cleaning routine. I realise this isn't for everyone, but I enjoy detailing my car and it works for me.

I've spoken to many people about the pros and cons of using outdoor covers, and I've come to the conclusion they're more trouble than they're worth.

IMO. The pros,

Covers will keep bird muck and other undesirable pollutants off your paintwork.

Some modern covers do let the car breath.

Some will protect from UV damage.

Some are paintwork simpathatically lined, reducing the chance of paint damage.

IMO. The cons.

Never put a cover on a dirty car, it will sandpaper your paint.

Never put a cover on a wet car, rain is dirty, see above.

A cheap cover will increase the chances of damaging your paintwork.

Some covers don't allow the car to breath.

An expensive cover could get stolen. Some come with an anti theft feature.

Wet covers are a PITA to store and to dry.

All covers will flap about in the wind increasing the chance of paint damage.

Heavy dew/mist/fog will get under the cover, damp from whatever the car parked on will get under the cover. Flapping about in the wind will help to remove the damp.

Removing and fitting covers is difficult, the inside shouldn't touch the ground.

Below are few links to covers that are well thought of by others.

(I have no affiliation to any of them)

I bet someone comes along and says they bought a 50p tarpaulin from a boot sale 20 years ago and it's doing a sterling job as a cover with no paint damage 😩

http://www.specialisedcovers.com/car-covers

http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/

http://www.covercraft-europe.com/carcovers/custom_car_covers.html

http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/advantex.html

https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car-covers/custom-made-outdoor-car-cover/prod_10076

 

 

 

[Annette]

Thanks BigM, it seems that there are more cons than pros so on balance I might just opt for elbow grease and keep it clean and polished.

[Old Peter]

Hi Ann,

I think that you are going along the best route.  I had my S Type given a paint protection coating just over three years ago, and I am pleased to say that it worked well and worth the £300 it cost.  A good detailer will probably do the same job a but cheaper than the Jaguar dealer who did mine.

There are several good products that are worth looking into, which route I am also going along, as the protection coat is said to only last 3 years. My car sits on the driveway, and if you can get a hydroponic [I think that is the word] wax it will keep the car protected from the rain and snow.

Regards,

Peter.