Cover for car

[AshM]

Off to collect my car at the weekend and looking forward to getting some miles on the new engine over the next few months.

I have decided to treat it to a new dust cover (for internal use in the workshop only).

Research has shown me there are a plethora of choices and costs so thought I would see if anyone on here has any specific recommendations that they are particularly pleased with.

I hate being without the car - nothing to do - even the workshop has had a makeover.

cheers
Ash

[bobsnicholson]

A neat and tidy workshop/garage is the sign of a person with a sick mind
Cannot advise on covers as my cars are garaged but not covered.
Enjoy the new engine

[christopher storey]

I am very much against the use of covers unless you can absolutely guarantee that your site is dehumidified at all times. Anything else is almost certain to result in the cover absorbing and retaining moisture, and the end result of this is usually extensive micro-blistering. the only time I would use a cover is for transient protection if, for example, a very dusty job was being undertaken , and then only for perhaps 24 hours at most

[mgcjag]

Hi Ash...i use loose polyester covers.....polyester dosnt absorbe moisture and remains dry......i did try just plain loose cotton sheet but cotton gets damp very quick......my garage is brick with slate roof and not sealed so dehumidifier not worth useing....during winter when its damp/misty etc i run a desk fan on the floor blowing under the car.....condensation/moisture will not form on a surface with moveing air blowing over it

[chrisfell]

My car has been covered with old candle wick bedspreads for all of the last 16 years. The only purpose is to keep the dust off the paintwork, a task these covers perform well. In fact the very same covers were used on my previous classic for almost 20 years, without any detriment to the paintwork in over 36 years of use.

I have a cheap (Halfords) general cover for when the car is on tour. It fits my 2+2 perfectly, is waterproof and breathable.

[Barry]

Unless you can guarantee a humidity level of 55% max, do not under any circumstances put a cover on your car for reasons already mentioned. Secondly, and looking at the cleanliness of your garage, I imagine you are very fussy about the condition of your paintwork. In which case to cover a car risks further fine scratches on the paintwork, as the cover is dragged over the paint finish when putting on and off. I proved this following mopping my paintwork with a rotary polisher, and no matter how carefully I put the cover on, I got some fine scratch lines. When you have a concours paint finish, a cover is certainly a mistake. As for Chrisfell with the candle wick bedspreads, well, need I say anymore! Having said that, not everyone is interested in a concours paint finish, each to his own.

[Jonny XKE]

I prefer my carcoon veloce. Easy to get in and out due to the frame. I can look at it through window! and get into it quickly without taking off the whole cover. Also no scratches pulling the cover on and off. Keeps it dry and moisture free. You can put it away if it gets a bit dirty unlike normal covers. Finally it also keeps away rodents.

[Barry]

Excellent, Jonny, particularly in the type of garage you have. Lofty open roof space with what looks like an old clunch wall at the back, gives an opportunity for condensation to form. The Carcoon solution with the fans, keeps humidity levels low and also keeps away rodents as you say. I used a similar solution before I could design my own garage to counter condensation, well insulated (u value same as a house) and an open roof with no trusses using what is called a flitch beam (so capable of one car above another.) I live in the country, so rodent control is important, so I have flexible rubber seals on all doors. I still have professional de-humidifiers on automatic control on the odd occasion when humidity rises above 55%, with external drainage to the outside. To get back on theme, therefore, no need for a cover!

[Jonny XKE]

You really do have it covered Brian! Thank you for your explanation and you are right about my set up.

[lopena]

I’ll advocate the opposite viewpoint...ever since I had my ‘64 OTS fully restored 12 years ago I have always used a car cover. There has been absolutely no degradation in the paintwork during the years...in fact, I am convinced that the use of the cover has protected the car from dust and grime and has therefore dramatically lessened the number of times I need to wash it. My car cover is a Cover Craft Form Fit, made of polyester and spandex and it fits the car perfectly:





Alan
N.J.

[angelw]

I have tried all types of car covers in the workshop and the one that works the best by a long shot for keeping dust off is Paint Masking Film. A long length (not sure of the exact content of the roll - many car worth of the stuff) is AUD25.00 (that will soon equal around GBP0.10 the way the exchange rate is heading); each peace used is reusable and lasts for a long, long time.

Regards,

Bill

[Barry]

Iopena, not sure what part of the States you are from, but from the height of your garage and the masonry wall, if you live in an area of high moisture content, then you will experience condensation, especially without a dehumidifier. A dry climate is a different thing altogether. Whatever you may say.......I will beg to differ on car covers based on personal experience and that of friends and clients. I am an architect and I have designed many specialised garages for clients, and some with multi million pound concours vehicles, so I have a lot of experience. I do like the look of your garage space though!!!

[Jeremy66]

Another long term user of covers here - mainly to keep the cat and spider droppings off the car.

Never had any problems with microblistering but I do keep a dehumidifier going through the bad weather which costs very little.

Covers of choice for the last few years have been Tesco value ‘non-fitted’ cotton double bed sheets, 2 nicely cover the E. Chuck them in the washing machine & tumble dryer every couple of weeks to keep them white and drive out any moisture

[Barry]

Thanks Jeremy. That’s the point, having to dry out your sheets every couple of weeks despite a dehumidifier. Also the “dragging of the sheets over the paint.....leads to micro scratches that have to eventually be “mopped” out by an orbital polisher. It all depends on what standard you are happy with. So if that suits you sir, then that’s just fine!

[Jeremy66]

Well my standards are obviously not that high Barry

- fortunately they seem to be high enough to have achieved a fair few concourse wins over the years

[chrisfell]

I’m with Jeremy. Repurposed bed linen is all you need indoors. Although in my case the dehumidifier means the covers (candlewick bedspreads, remember?) are never ever damp or moist, always bone dry. As for micro scratches caused by removing the covers....



..... 16 years and I’m still waiting.

[bobsnicholson]

I don't have time to cover my car, i am out using it all the time

[Jonny XKE]

you must enjoy driving it in the rain bob!

[splosh]

I thought it would not happen to me but, Micro blistering DOES happen....
This was on a car that had a custom made fleece lined car cover fitted. The result was having to strip the paint off back to bare metal.

[mgcjag]

Hi Clive......yes microblistering does happen...but how can you be sure it was the car cover and not the paint application contitions....Steve