Car Covers.

[savvy]

Does anyone use a car cover when they park their car in the garage for extended times?

I had bought one for $70 and when i opened it and read the label, it had things like,
-Do not use more than one week at a time,
-Do not use on fresh paint work, Why?? mine might not be fresh but with 25,000km on the clock it is not that bad for a red car and is always garaged.

and a few other obvious warnings i cant remember.

Wish they had written that on the box so it is visible at time of purchase and didn't realize SCA was Super Cheap Auto's:doh: .

On a trial fit it had left greasy looking scratch marks all over the car, making the car look lke crap :(

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h221/ssute57l/Various/Supercheapcover.jpg

I was after something to basically keep dust and bug shit off the car as i sometimes don't use my car for 2-4 weeks at a time and it gets covered in crap.

I was thinking a cotton bed sheet might be better??


Can anyone recommend other brands to use or avoid, the reason i went with this one was that it is designed for a ute which i could not find from other brands.

[VooDoo]

Savvy, You will do more damage with it then without it. Ive seen very expensive paint jobs destroyed with car covers. They are TEMP use only (less than a week)

They can sweat underneath and the backing rots taking the paintwork with them. They can move adding to the scratches and will add swirl marks. The best protection for extended periods in a garage is a coat of wax and dont rub it off. (same as i do when driving a long way, a coat on the front bumper and dont wipe it off and the bugs cant stick to your car)

[savvy]

Savvy, You will do more damage with it then without it. Ive seen very expensive paint jobs destroyed with car covers. They are TEMP use only (less than a week)

They can sweat underneath and the backing rots taking the paintwork with them. They can move adding to the scratches and will add swirl marks. The best protection for extended periods in a garage is a coat of wax and dont rub it off. (same as i do when driving a long way, a coat on the front bumper and dont wipe it off and the bugs cant stick to your car)

Thanks Voodoo, that is the way i always thought of them especially when placed on out doors and flapping in the breeze, it would really kill paint jobs.

Not a bad idea about the coat of wax, but not practical for use every 2-3 weeks. I have also seen guys use cling wrap for extended storage??

What would be suitable to keep dust of it while in the garage? would a clean cotton bed sheet also kill the paint work you think if placed on a freshly washed car?

Just sick of the dust build up....

I was real shocked with the paint on the trial fit that it went straight into the box ready for refund.

How do you get the wax off after the storage if it has dust sitting on it, do you wash it off with water first??

[Dan_]

I would say seal the car in Z2 Pro. 3 or 4 layers and top with Z8. It will be very very very very very slick lol Any dust that does settle wpnt be tehre for long and will most likely come off when driving, if not it will rinse off. Nick has this combo on his cars so maybe ask him.

As for covers get a good quality one like this maybe http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care_products/prestige_car_cover

Maybe email them and ask if they have an indoor one

[NickS]

I got a cover for the Coupe a few years back ... from memory it cost around $250.

It has been great, I have left it on for months at a time. It has little flats along the seams that let air in so you don't get any moisture build up, I never use it outside and it only goes on an immaculate car ... never really had an scratches or marks.

My experience only ...

Edit ... Just read Dan's post, Z2 + Z8 = :bow: ... I love it, I can't wash the car anymore without finishing with a coat of Z8, BIG fan.

:yep:

[seldo]

The trouble is with regular use of a car cover is the risk of scratching from grit and dust, and with regular use (esp daily) high-spots on the car, like creases, edges of panels, the corners of the bonnet or boot, corners of spoilers etc, get worn away and even worn through so the undercoat starts to show through. I think they are a good thing for long-term storage, but I wouldn't use one on a daily basis - I think they do as much harm as they save.

[NickS]

I think they are a good thing for long-term storage, but I wouldn't use one on a daily basis - I think they do as much harm as they save.

Agree 100% ... I only put it on if I know the car will be sitting unused for weeks if not longer.

[firebug]

Agree 100% ... I only put it on if I know the car will be sitting unused for weeks if not longer.

Or wedding duties... :cheers: :thumbs:

[Beej]

I got a cover for the Coupe a few years back ... from memory it cost around $250.

It has been great, I have left it on for months at a time. It has little flats along the seams that let air in so you don't get any moisture build up, I never use it outside and it only goes on an immaculate car ... never really had an scratches or marks.

My experience only ...

Edit ... Just read Dan's post, Z2 + Z8 = :bow: ... I love it, I can't wash the car anymore without finishing with a coat of Z8, BIG fan.

:yep:

Ditto re covers - I have always used one, but keep my cars in a garage, and never put the cover on a car unless it is clean/washed etc. I have had no problems with scratches or swirl marks. No moisture issues as the car is not outside with the cover on. In fact I find it helps keep the car paintwork in pristine condition. I use the style of cover that has a slippery, teflon-like surface on the inside, so it slides very easily over the high points with littl friction.

Cheers,

Beej

[savvy]

Thanks for the response guys, i got my refund today:) .

It's definatley not for daily use or exterior use.

Dan, i will need you to detail it soon after i get some other bits finished and you can explain it in plain english then.

Nick and Beej any Details of the brand of your cover or from where it was purchased. I don't mind spending for the right product, but i will have to see if there is a ute specific one otherwise it may be hanging all over the ground in places.

[seldo]

Ditto re covers - I have always used one, but keep my cars in a garage, and never put the cover on a car unless it is clean/washed etc. I have had no problems with scratches or swirl marks. No moisture issues as the car is not outside with the cover on. In fact I find it helps keep the car paintwork in pristine condition. I use the style of cover that has a slippery, teflon-like surface on the inside, so it slides very easily over the high points with littl friction.

Cheers,

Beej

Problem is - we think that we have fitted it with all care and attention......but we are not there for the day-in-day-out where the breeze is making it flap and work against those high points.....hour after hour....

[.charged.]

http://www.carcoon.com.au/index.html


http://www.carcoon.com.au/catalog/images/size-6-indoor.jpg

[Dan_]

Problem is - we think that we have fitted it with all care and attention......but we are not there for the day-in-day-out where the breeze is making it flap and work against those high points.....hour after hour....

Not really an issue if the car is in the garage though.

http://www.carcoon.com.au/index.html


http://www.carcoon.com.au/catalog/images/size-6-indoor.jpg

Ive seen them before, however they would be a PITA if you were driving the car regularly, if it were for months at a time then hell yes

[.charged.]

Yep definetley designed for long term storage but if you have spent 70 grand plus on a car... its cheap insurance to keep the car pristine.

[Desertws6]

I've used car covers for covering purposes in the garage for a week or more and had good luck on a clean car with no dust (just like freshly waxed) also the cover was clean with no dirt.

On one trip out of town this past April for a car show. I used a cover on the 1967 Firebird overnight only to wake the next morning to find the wind had been blowing all night long with dust blowing under the cover. I was sick to my stomach, the finish had been scratched on all the fenders, bonnet and boot. :puke: I had to buff the entire car to repair the damage. It took the best part of the next Saturday to repair all the damage. As a result, I will not use a cover overnight outdoors again.

For those that don't know the car:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2316204220_4a97b8570c.jpg?v=0

Cheers,
Steve

[NickS]

http://www.carcoon.com.au/index.html


http://www.carcoon.com.au/catalog/images/size-6-indoor.jpg

I have been considering one of these ... cool idea. Would be a PITA everytime you wanted to take the car out though.

[savvy]

My car isn't that special to need a bubble but they look perfect for those classics etc.

I have been considering one of these ... cool idea. Would be a PITA everytime you wanted to take the car out though.

My thoughts also, so Nick any name brands on the cover your using?

[NickS]

My thoughts also, so Nick any name brands on the cover your using?

Sorry mate ... I'll try and remember to have a look when I get home tonight.

[savvy]

Sorry mate ... I'll try and remember to have a look when I get home tonight.

Thanks Nick.

[Car Care Products]

Guys FYI;

We've been given the heads up by Dan@DMS who we work with and supply with detailing products, so hopefully some of our advice can be of use around here.

We sell a lot of car covers and whilst its true some are pretty average and can damage a car. Some of the real cheap cover have zippers etc on them which aren't going to do much for your paint work.

The other thing is how well they fit. Most car cover (even the ones we sell) are not made to fit specific sizes and are generic so its important to find the best fitting cover and secure it on the car well if it is parked outside.

We sell a lot of the prestige covers and their ute cover would suit the OP;
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care_products/ute_prestige_cover

But we also sell a few others:
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/products/all_brands/all_areas/car_covers

Cheers Greg

[Beej]

My cover is a Kenco "Tyvek" cover. They are not that expensive, and are also washable.

PS - I only use when the car in the garage so no flapping in the wind etc ;)

Cheers,

Beej

[NickS]

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care_products/ute_prestige_cover ... <--- that's what I'm using.

Again, only used inside so it's never in the rain / sun or wind ... purely for keeping the dust (and kids hands) off the car.

[savvy]

My cover is a Kenco "Tyvek" cover. They are not that expensive, and are also washable.

PS - I only use when the car in the garage so no flapping in the wind etc ;)

Cheers,

Beej

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care_products/ute_prestige_cover ... <--- that's what I'm using.

Again, only used inside so it's never in the rain / sun or wind ... purely for keeping the dust (and kids hands) off the car.


Thanks for the info guys:thumbs: