Protecting a car stored outside: recommendations?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Protecting a car stored outside: recommendations?

jonathan18

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#307035 13-Sep-2023 20:30

I’m looking for recommendations for a decent enough quality but affordable car cover… There are so many out there, and with most options being online it’s difficult to know which are ok. Also so much #$%$ about 675 layers (which have reviews that indicate they’re as thin as tissue paper…)

It’s for my wife’s car that needs to be parked outside; she’s sick of the car being covered in pollen, petals, leaves, twigs and other detritus over the seasons, so it’s more about protection from that when parked at home, rather than from the rain.

Can anyone recommend any covers, ideally under say $200 for a small/medium hatchback size? (Or am I dreaming to get something decent under that?) Definitely wanting one with a soft liner.

Thanks for your ideas in advance…

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#3127646 14-Sep-2023 11:46

Does anyone out there have any experience with car covers that they’re able to report?!

xpd

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#3127649 14-Sep-2023 11:51

Not even 24hrs.....

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jonathan18

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#3127650 14-Sep-2023 11:54

xpd:

Not even 24hrs.....

Yep, thanks for making that point... and I've also been on here long enough to know that sometimes 'bumps' are useful, as the timing of a post can make or break whether there are responses!

Bung

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#3127701 14-Sep-2023 12:20

jonathan18: It’s for my wife’s car that needs to be parked outside; she’s sick of the car being covered in pollen, petals, leaves, twigs and other detritus over the seasons, so it’s more about protection from that when parked at home, rather than from the rain.

It's the sun that will be the worst enemy.

One problem with covers is that if the car isn't clean to start with any movement of the cover in the wind can cause fine scratches where it rubs on paintwork.

johno1234

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#3127702 14-Sep-2023 12:21

I bought a boat cover from Mitre10. I just needed something inexpensive to keep dust out rather than an expensive, beefy Sunbrella type custom cover and that's what I got. It actually turned out to be much better than I expected and luckily a nice close fit. However looking there now for "Polytuf" covers there's no car equivalent.

Repco/Supercheap etc have lots of cheap options. Unless you spend the money for expensive fabric i.e. Sunbrella, expect to replace these things every couple of years - they don't survive sunshine.

Dingbatt

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#3127703 14-Sep-2023 12:22

I had a cover that I used when going to the beach, where the car would sit unused for up to a week. So it was to keep the sun and salt off the car. The cover wasn’t cheap as it had a soft inner side and plenty of tie down points. What I found was the inner, despite being ‘soft’, still produced micro-scratches* as it moved in the wind. It was particularly noticeable around the seams. So I stopped using it. With how soft the paint is on the Tesla I certainly won’t be using it on that.

* Car was black, so scratches stood out.

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Senecio

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#3127716 14-Sep-2023 13:10

How often does your wife use her car? If she's using it regularly then the act of putting on a removing a car cover is going to get tiresome real quick. They're really designed for cars that are being stored and not used for decent amount of time. Even then, they can often cause more damage than the elements that you are trying to protect the car from. Any wind just causes the cover to flap and move about which is going to cause scratches and abrasions in the paint.

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jonathan18

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#3127802 14-Sep-2023 15:20

Thanks, all, for the feedback. Good to know about the risks of micro-scratches from covers even with soft inner layers - that seems far from ideal. The car is used daily, so totally hear you re the hassle of regular removal/installation; another black mark against the idea. I'll pass this on to her as it may well be enough to change her mind about going with a cover.

As for alternatives... I've come across covers specifically for the windscreen area, which at least would protect both that and all the dross that ends up under the bonnet etc, but that would have the same detrimental impact on the surrounding paintwork so doesn't seem ideal. I assume ones like this, which use magnets, would have similar risks?

We are about to get her car pad changed over from pavers to concrete; she did wonder about getting a carport installed as part of that but, given what she wants the car saved from and the amount of wind at our location, I really don't think that will offer much protection at all unless it has sides added! A garage is not feasible as it's literally on the corner of the section (it's a second driveway put in the previous owners for a caravan).

I guess she's left with regular cleaning of her car, which I'm sure she'll love... unless anyone has alternative ideas?

mattwnz

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#3127804 14-Sep-2023 15:24

I have been in this situation, and I think it is better to just wash it down each week, and probably quicker overall than putting on and off a cover each day and less chance of damaging the paintwork. Leaving a car outside over the long term however does cause surfaces and plastics and rubbers to deteriorate faster than if stored in a a garage.

I think you may find that washing down the car each week may become your job.

rscole86

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#3127806 14-Sep-2023 15:29

I thought you were asking about insurance at first.

I would agree with the comments, as a motorcycle rider who had both a lined and unlined cover at some point.

The lined cover was bloody difficult to move in the rain, and I also ended up with micro scratches.

jonathan18

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#3127807 14-Sep-2023 15:31

mattwnz:

I think you may find that washing down the car each week may become your job.

I don't think so!

Alternatives include 'encouraging' our resident indentured labourers (aka our sons) to do it or even sharing the pain through half the time parking my car in that spot and letting her take the garage.

jonathan18

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#3127809 14-Sep-2023 15:36

rscole86: I thought you were asking about insurance at first.

I would agree with the comments, as a motorcycle rider who had both a lined and unlined cover at some point.

The lined cover was bloody difficult to move in the rain, and I also ended up with micro scratches.

Ah, may have to look at amending the title! Luckily insurance for her brand of EV hasn't been an issue; our main insurer was fine (and cheap) whereas they wouldn't (and still won't) cover my Tesla...

But totally fair points, especially re wet weather. I can imagine trying to take it off when they're just on their way to work/school being a complete mare - on practicalities alone I now accept it's a daft idea...

MikeB4

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#3127823 14-Sep-2023 16:20

We had covers for our boat and caravan for that very reason. The ones we had did a very good job of keeping the nasties out but also breathed allowing the boat and caravan to dry. However they were a pain to put on and take off. Trust me, don't wear good clothes when you take them off all that crap will end up on you. They survived the umm interesting weather in Wellington. I can't for the life of me remember the brand but I will do some research and ask my wife when she get home from work.

MikeB4

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#3127826 14-Sep-2023 16:24

Found the brand from an old photo, Cover Systems. They were excellent and never had an issue with them.

https://coversystems.co.nz/collections/car-covers

Handle9

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#3127870 14-Sep-2023 18:01

jonathan18:

I guess ~~she's~~ you're left with regular cleaning of her car, which I'm sure ~~she'll~~ you'll love... unless anyone has alternative ideas?

FTFY

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