Car Covers for Winter??
November-28th-2001, 05:17 PM
#1
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: East Hartford, CT
Posts: 132
Car Covers for Winter??
Does anyone use a car cover on their car? I've heard that they can freeze to the car and pull off the paint. I don't have access to a garage or shelter, and I'm worried that winter will ruin my car. The more times I have to scrape my car off, the higher the chance I'll scratch the paint. Any suggestions as far as whether or not to use them, and if so, what brands, tips, etc.???
November-28th-2001, 06:09 PM
#2
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 37
been there, done that
Car covers can be a real pain in the ***. I had one for my Miata for about a year, and probably spent more time fiddling with the cover than I would have spent just washing the car. First off, yes, the cover will freeze to the car. If you try to just rip it off, it will either damage the car, the cover, or both. You can solve this problem by pouring hot water over the cover to loosen the ice, but this can be a big hassle.
Something else to consider: When it rains, the cover--and the car underneath (NO good cover is waterproof)--will get wet. If you have to use the car while it is raining, you will get soaked taking it off, and then you will have to find somewhere to stash the soaking wet cover. In the trunk? In the house? Unless you have a garage, there aren't many options.
In addition, over time the cover will collect and store dust from the atmosphere. When it rains, this dust will eventually find its way onto your car, leaving a muddy mess. To top it off, most good covers break down over time (UV exposure) and deposit THEMSELVES all over your car (mine broke down within 11 months). At this point it is useless. The cover will probably have a warranty, but good luck trying to get a new one. Think Spanish Inquisition. "Surely you did something to it..."
To top it all off, your car needs to be perfectly clean in order to avoid the cover scratching the paint. This is fine after right after you wash the car, but if you've been driving it all day, went through a cloud of dust, etc. the car will need to be cleaned off with a California Duster and/or Speed Shine. It takes a lot of time.
The upsides: as long as the car is spotless, the cover is new and clean, and it doesn't rain, your car will look great when the cover comes off. It will also help protect your car from dings. For me, these moments were too few and far between to justify replacing my cover.
My advice is to relax, polish and wax your car carefully, and wash it with a quality car shampoo whenever possible. There's very little chance that winter weather could cause permanent damage to your car's finish. By the way, are you scraping the paint?! If so, WHY?
If you just insist on getting a cover, get a fitted Noah or Weathershield cover. Make sure you get the cable lock. Whatever you do, DON"T get one of those universal fit cover made from nylon or vinyl. Not only wiil it flap around in the wind (damaging your paint) there is no way for water trapped under the cover to escape and the heat of the sun can cause NASTY water blisters on your finish.
You've been warned...
Something else to consider: When it rains, the cover--and the car underneath (NO good cover is waterproof)--will get wet. If you have to use the car while it is raining, you will get soaked taking it off, and then you will have to find somewhere to stash the soaking wet cover. In the trunk? In the house? Unless you have a garage, there aren't many options.
In addition, over time the cover will collect and store dust from the atmosphere. When it rains, this dust will eventually find its way onto your car, leaving a muddy mess. To top it off, most good covers break down over time (UV exposure) and deposit THEMSELVES all over your car (mine broke down within 11 months). At this point it is useless. The cover will probably have a warranty, but good luck trying to get a new one. Think Spanish Inquisition. "Surely you did something to it..."
To top it all off, your car needs to be perfectly clean in order to avoid the cover scratching the paint. This is fine after right after you wash the car, but if you've been driving it all day, went through a cloud of dust, etc. the car will need to be cleaned off with a California Duster and/or Speed Shine. It takes a lot of time.
The upsides: as long as the car is spotless, the cover is new and clean, and it doesn't rain, your car will look great when the cover comes off. It will also help protect your car from dings. For me, these moments were too few and far between to justify replacing my cover.
My advice is to relax, polish and wax your car carefully, and wash it with a quality car shampoo whenever possible. There's very little chance that winter weather could cause permanent damage to your car's finish. By the way, are you scraping the paint?! If so, WHY?
If you just insist on getting a cover, get a fitted Noah or Weathershield cover. Make sure you get the cable lock. Whatever you do, DON"T get one of those universal fit cover made from nylon or vinyl. Not only wiil it flap around in the wind (damaging your paint) there is no way for water trapped under the cover to escape and the heat of the sun can cause NASTY water blisters on your finish.
You've been warned...
November-28th-2001, 06:30 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Calgary
Posts: 77
Got a bike cover and I agree that covers in general are a royal pain in the ***. I use mine only for long term storage now.
Outside, dirt still gets whipped up in there and can cause scratches. Might vote: not worth the trouble
Outside, dirt still gets whipped up in there and can cause scratches. Might vote: not worth the trouble
November-28th-2001, 06:35 PM
#4
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
the only time I went through the effor of putting a cover on was when my old Mitsu was parked under a tree (my assigned spot at the house 
)... the damn thing had purple berries in it, the birds ate them, had them pass through really quick, and then my car got to wear them 
it was a pain to keep putting the thing on and off and even worse to store it (at least I had a garage to throw it in when I was not home... otherwise I have no idea what I would have done with it). I also had to wash the cover once a week!
My vote: not worth it unless there are extenuating circumstances!
)... the damn thing had purple berries in it, the birds ate them, had them pass through really quick, and then my car got to wear them it was a pain to keep putting the thing on and off and even worse to store it (at least I had a garage to throw it in when I was not home... otherwise I have no idea what I would have done with it). I also had to wash the cover once a week!
My vote: not worth it unless there are extenuating circumstances!
May-29th-2004, 03:26 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 20
car covers
I live in downtown LA for 8 months of the year (USC) and if i dont cover my car then when i go to try to use it on the weekends i cant see out of the winsheild because of the dust that deposits durring the week. Got a cheep cover from costco but california weather is mild. if you do wash it be sure to rinse it extra to get rid of soap cus that will make it not lock out the water. Id like to at somepoint get a weathersheild that fits better and folds up smaller. Overall i think its worth it, but i baby my pro and am very patient.
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