Another outdoor car cover thread I'm afraid.....

c4sman · Nov 16, 2014

He all,

I'm looking for some advice / experience to help me decide on whether to buy an outdoor car cover. I have read a few threads on here but not enough for me to make up my mind as to whether I could cause more damage by having one than leaving the car to the elements this winter.

The car has been detailed so is swirl free and protected with a GTech coating and I wouldn't want to risk adding lots of swirls/scratches after maintaining it successfully for 8/9 months since it was detailed. My usage profile is generally weekend only pleasure trips with the family and the onset of winter may mean a reduction in that to avoid salty, stone chippy roads. Weekend action is usually finished by a good wash. The car is kept on the drive as the garage is occupied by a smaller car that fits better (997 GTS), but I'm worried about leaving an Italian car to the elements!

Specialised car covered are top of the list (not sure about the difference between Stormforce and Stormforce +

Thoughts?

CatmanV2 · Nov 16, 2014

Can't see how you can use a cover and not add swirls

C

2b1ask1 · Nov 16, 2014

I've seen the good, the bad and the f'n ugly when it comes to covers and they will all scratch your car if you put them on and there is anything on the car; grit or dust. Even if you are the most careful owner they slip about when you are putting them on or taking them off. Outdoor covers get moved about by the wind. If there is an advantage the car stays clean and dry (ish).

Personally I would only consider an indoor cover or one of those fan type tents that go right over the car and not in contact with it.

c4sman · Nov 16, 2014

Thanks for the advice.

That pic looks great but not sure how it would look on my drive. I mini garage like that might be pushing the boundaries of drawing even more attention to the car (and house) than when it is out in the open. It might also be a challenge figuring out how I would secure the frame to my pattern imprinted concrete drive?

I must say that I lean toward agreeing that no matter how careful I am dust will get under the cover and slowly sand away my lovely shiny paint, however, leaving the car, paint, brake disks etc. to the winter elements and airborne bird attack doesn't feel great either.

Almichie · Nov 16, 2014

c4sman said:
Thanks for the advice.

That pic looks great but not sure how it would look on my drive. I mini garage like that might be pushing the boundaries of drawing even more attention to the car (and house) than when it is out in the open. It might also be a challenge figuring out how I would secure the frame to my pattern imprinted concrete drive?

I must say that I lean toward agreeing that no matter how careful I am dust will get under the cover and slowly sand away my lovely shiny paint, however, leaving the car, paint, brake disks etc. to the winter elements and airborne bird attack doesn't feel great either.

Considered a car port? It'll protect the car from the worst if the weather

hukent · Nov 16, 2014

c4sman said:
He all,

Specialised car covered are top of the list (not sure about the difference between Stormforce and Stormforce +

Thoughts?

I have one of these,protection is good but the fit is atrocious!!!!!
I'd buy from someone else.

2b1ask1 · Nov 16, 2014

They are available in camouflage colours...!

Sounds like you have a bu99er of a choice to make...

c4sman · Nov 16, 2014

Almichie said:
Considered a car port? It'll protect the car from the worst if the weather

Car port just wouldn't work with my drive layout and would stick out like a sore thumb on my road I'm afraid

2b1ask1 said:
They are available in camouflage colours...!

Sounds like you have a bu99er of a choice to make...

Indeed I have

devil and the deep blue....

Felonious Crud · Nov 17, 2014

I use an outdoor cover from time to time but ONLY when the car is spotlessly clean and has a good coat of a fairly tough wax. It's an original Maserati cover (cost was about the same as after-market) and the fit is great. The inside is also soft. If it's on for long periods I take it off every week or so to thoroughly dry it and let the car dry out fully as well - condensation can build up. As far as I can tell the cover has not caused any damage but has definitely protected the car from some, like in the storms last year when fence and bits of tree did their damnedest, and the inevitable bird shoite.

VMSRTI · Nov 17, 2014

I like that cover Newton. You could even use it as an indoor dust cover

CatmanV2 · Nov 17, 2014

Bloke has one round the corner. His is for a bike though, and it's still *big*

C

StuartW · Nov 17, 2014

2b1ask1 said:
I've seen the good, the bad and the f'n ugly when it comes to covers and they will all scratch your car if you put them on and there is anything on the car; grit or dust. Even if you are the most careful owner they slip about when you are putting them on or taking them off. Outdoor covers get moved about by the wind. If there is an advantage the car stays clean and dry (ish).

Personally I would only consider an indoor cover or one of those fan type tents that go right over the car and not in contact with it.

I use an outside cover occasionally and it' good, but not ideal.

This solution however looks ideal.

Does anyone on here have first hand experience of one of these?

Felonious Crud · Nov 17, 2014

LincsOSCA said:
I use an outside cover occasionally and it' good, but not ideal.

This solution however looks ideal.

Does anyone on here have first hand experience of one of these?

I'd be especially interested to know how they cope in high winds. Or even gentle ones.

StuartW · Nov 17, 2014

AdamN said:
I'd be especially interested to know how they cope in high winds. Or even gentle ones.

This is the issue I would have, living on the flatlands of the Lincoln fens in an exposed farmhouse

CatmanV2 · Nov 17, 2014

Normally they are bolted down

C

Felonious Crud · Nov 17, 2014

Even bolted down it would need vents. It's just an enormous sail. Barry could get his yacht up to about 15 knots with one of them. Imagine the damage it would cause if it escaped (the car cover, not the yacht).

CatmanV2 · Nov 17, 2014

Indeed. N o argument from me, but they do work.

C

c4sman · Nov 17, 2014

LincsOSCA said:
I use an outside cover occasionally and it' good, but not ideal.

Could you elaborate on what you use and what the issues have been?

roger102 · Nov 20, 2014

Specialized cover used it for 2 years, washing the car will scratch it, as long as you are careful the damage is minimal as anyone who saw the car in Italy will tell you. Got more damage from the flies because Miles made me drive fast!

BigR · Nov 23, 2014

Thought of a carcoon? Surprisingly low prices and as your car is weighting it down, it'd have to be a **** of a storm to lift the whole thing

https://www.carcoon.com/

For note, I've not tried one as I've the luxury of a garage in which to keep mine.

Another outdoor car cover thread I'm afraid.....

Member

Member

Special case

Member

Junior Member

Junior Member

Special case

Member

Administrator

Member

Member

Member

Administrator

Member

Member

Administrator

Member

Member

Junior Member

Member