Car Covers...

[bigdaddycane]

I bought another car and my daily (F31) is now banished to the driveway and is already showing abuse from bird crap, pollen and other weather stuff.

Thoughts on car covers? Anyone use them and like them? Are they worth it? Side affects?

I love my Wagon and hate to see it all grungy.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

I bought another car and my daily (F31) is now banished to the driveway and is already showing abuse from bird crap, pollen and other weather stuff.

Thoughts on car covers? Anyone use them and like them? Are they worth it? Side affects?

I love my Wagon and hate to see it all grungy.

I had a car cover that lasted over 20 years and I used on two Mercedes CLK convertibles, it was a really lightweight all weather material and was from California Car Covers. When needed it was easy to wash and then I would dry it in a low heat setting.

No matter what brand you purchase make sure that the cover has side mirror pockets which help to hold it in place when covering the car and get the clips and bungee cords to secure it and prevent it from blowing off on windy days.

I definitely got my money's with with this investment!!!

[bigdaddycane]

Good stuff, I will check out their site. Thank you!

[dudley@07726]

I always had custom Covercraft car covers. I had covers strictly for indoor as well as indoor/outdoor covers. Wonderful product.

[overcoil]

I’ve used car covers for years

A custom cover that breathes but still has U.V. and rain protection is the goal.

Learn to roll them on and not drag them.

If you live where there is ice and snow buy a cheap Budge cover to place over your good (CoverCraft) cover when a snow storm is expected or even a rain storm.

Wind is the major issue. Some covers fit snug and can handle strong winds. I find that custom covers of the same brand and material can fit differently. So often you won’t know how snug a cover fits till you install for first time. You can tie a cover down but a light cover fitting loose will billow and slap your paint.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by overcoil

I’ve used car covers for years

A custom cover that breathes but still has U.V. and rain protection is the goal.

Learn to roll them on and not drag them.

If you live where there is ice and snow buy a cheap Budge cover to place over your good (CoverCraft) cover when a snow storm is expected or even a rain storm.

Wind is the major issue. Some covers fit snug and can handle strong winds. I find that custom covers of the same brand and material can fit differently. So often you won’t know how snug a cover fits till you install for first time. You can tie a cover down but a light cover fitting loose will billow and slap your paint.

Even if the cover has a snug fit it can blow off in heavy winds. This is why you need to use clips along with cord or bungee.

[bigdaddycane]

I used Covercraft a long time ago, but they have they gotten expensive!

Definitely rolling is the way to go.

Originally Posted by overcoil

You can tie a cover down but a light cover fitting loose will billow and slap your paint.

I had this issue back in the day with a cover on an E36 M3. Left some marks on the paint over the driver door

[papasmurf_m3]

So the idea is to put a cover on only when its clean but, not back on again till you wash it?

That's a pita. So I just use my cover after a wash and if its gonna sit for a week or more.

The car sits in garage too.

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

So the idea is to put a cover on only when its clean but, not back on again till you wash it?

No, not really. How bad is it to have the cover on if its just slightly dirty? This car will be outside (now)

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

No, not really. How bad is it to have the cover on if its just slightly dirty? This car will be outside (now)

I use my cover on my spare vehicle, 235 that sits outside always. I drive it once a week.

I don't wash it all that often. And replace the cover on the car when it hasn't been just washed.
My last waxing was maybe last fall. Can't recall if I did a spring waxing but I did a nice spring wash.

Last week in the evening when walking back to my car in the grocery parking lot right under a street lamp the finish I couldn't help but notice had a tremendous gloss to the paint.

So yes I think you can use the cover when the car is a little dirty. If it had cement dust on it then no I would wash it first before using a cover.

[malvern_man]

Car covers can trap moisture next to your paintwork. Whilst they can keep the elements out, some car covers (those that are 100% waterproof) can stop moisture from getting out. This can lead to rust and other damage to your paintwork.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by malvern_man

Car covers can trap moisture next to your paintwork. Whilst they can keep the elements out, some car covers (those that are 100% waterproof) can stop moisture from getting out. This can lead to rust and other damage to your paintwork.

yes those polypropylene ? covers.

The nice covers I use are a waffle weave that if it rains some water gets thru on to the paint but then will evaporate off when things dry.

That's why when a snow is forecast or rain I place a cheap Budge cover over my Covercraft cover. Minimizes most of the rain getting through and allows evaporation of moisture.
When snow melts or freezes to a cover it can make a car cover impossible to take off and if you attempt to remove it can rip the cover as some material sticks.

I do think If you use the car weekly or more often then these covers will not induce paint damage from moisture.

[bigdaddycane]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.

I probably would not use the cover when its going to rain or snow, but mainly to lessen the sun damage, pollen, bird sh*t, etc.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.

I probably would not use the cover when its going to rain or snow, but mainly to lessen the sun damage, pollen, bird sh*t, etc.

I am not a big fan of the waffle weave type covers as they are heavier and bulky to handle. There are covers in the market made of lightweight materials that can breathe and allow evaporation while still giving you the protection you want.

Do your homework with well known name brand makers and pay a little more than a "Brand X" cover you might see on Amazon or another site.

After researching their websites don't be afraid to call them and ask what their lightest weight material is for your needs. Also inquire about the washability of the covers. The prices for the better covers aren't cheap but you get what you pay for so when you call request a small sample of the fabric/ fabrics before ordering. The phone reps for these car cover companies work on commission and should be happy to give you a swatch in order to make a sale.

As previously mentioned, make sure you order a cover with side mirror pockets and get the clips with bungee cords.

Finally as mentioned by others, always roll your cover on and off the car and never drag it!!!

Good luck!!!

[cooolone2]

I cover my car and it has substantially reduced aging, paint issues and more. Breathable cover is what you want outdoors, yes the paint gets wet thru the cover but also dries quickly as does the cover. Polen will get through too, but it's still 10x better than sitting exposed. If car is used but not heavily dirtied then the cover goes back on, otherwise yes, will leave it off so not to contaminate the underside of the cover and potentially scratch paint. 3+ years and paint still looks new! Interior still smells new... Covers work, just know their limits. When storing for a while, I strap it too with the clips, behind the front wheel, in-between the wheel and fender, use survival cord to tie the clips. Helps prevent wind from moving cover too much.

I suggest Cover Craft WeatherShield HP! Fitting perfectly to car with antenna pockets and mirror pockets. I recently got their windshield cover too for when it's uncovered or traveling to keep sun out and off of dashboard.

Good Luck

[c1pher]

I had a BMW car cover for my 135is and it worked great since I didn’t have enough garage space for a period of time. You don’t realize how much you need to detail a car when it sits outside without a cover.

[R BMW]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I had a BMW car cover for my 135is and it worked great since I didn’t have enough garage space for a period of time. You don’t realize how much you need to detail a car when it sits outside without a cover.

Or a black car sitting in the garage unused with 2 Japanize Lilyck trees out front.

[Habibif80]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

I bought another car and my daily (F31) is now banished to the driveway and is already showing abuse from bird crap, pollen and other weather stuff.

Thoughts on car covers? Anyone use them and like them? Are they worth it? Side affects?

I love my Wagon and hate to see it all grungy.

Hey brother I can't message you, it says you have exceeded stored PM's. So im messaging you here, dm me you number I'll text you.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Anyone had/has experince with California Car Covers? Looking for a cover that will be gentle on the clear coat, of course, assuming the car is cleaned.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Anyone had/has experince with California Car Covers? Looking for a cover that will be gentle on the clear coat, of course, assuming the car is cleaned.

Scroll up and read my 6/5/23 post about my experience with CCC.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Scroll up and read my 6/5/23 post about my experience with CCC.

Ha, thx. I must have done a fast scrolling, with my slow brain.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Ha, thx. I must have done a fast scrolling, with my slow brain.

IIRC, their phone sales reps received commissions so insist on small samples of the cover’s material before you make a purchase. 😉