Car Cover Usage Question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 9, 2005 | 12:51 PM

Dug02Z0679L82

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 72

Likes: 0

From: Salt Lake City UT

Car Cover Usage Question

I've got a question about car cover usage. I cover both of my cars in my garage when I'm not going to use them for a few days. I always wash the car, dry it good and then put on the cover. I do not use the cover when parked at work. My reasoning has been that the car gets dusty, especially behind the wheels and rear bumper area, even if driven a fairly short distance. I am concerned that putting a cover over a dusty car will: 1- scratch my paint, and 2- get the cover dirty, making it more likely to scratch my paint. Am I way too careful? Is this stupid? How do the rest of you use your covers? Thanks.

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:03 PM

FKING1

Safety Car

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 3,814

Likes: 105

From: Dearborn Heights Michigan

Only use mine when storing and on a clean car. Would not use it on a dirty car.
Fred

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:13 PM

Corpsvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 2,026

Likes: 178

From: Jacksonville, NC

I only have a carport for now and I cover mine everyday. It is not a daily driver but if the weather looks nice, I take it to work and I also cover it there. I think it has saved me a lot of heartache because when I come back after a long day there is bird crap, dirt clods, and fly crap on the car cover, not the car. When I get home I use a Cali duster on it and then wipe it down with Z6. I have MF towels for the lower portion of the car, and then the top portions of the car and then cotton towels for the fender wells and under the car. Yep, I keep them separated. There are no swirls or scratches on my car after a year of doing this. I am hoping to have a garage in the next month. If you have a garage with no kids running around, I wouldn't bother covering it. Just dust if with a Cali Duster or DFtowels. If I wasn't getting a garage soon, I was going to purchase a carcapsule. I was my Weathershield car cover about every two weeks and use very little detergent. Your question also depends on what kind of cover you are using. Hope this helps.

Jim K.

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:14 PM

sailohio

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 3,049

Likes: 0

From: The second childhood is the best one of all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FKING1

Only use mine when storing and on a clean car. Would not use it on a dirty car.
Fred

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:15 PM

Mike Mercury

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 54,204

Likes: 180

From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member

I too cover mine when in the garage. I don't worry too much about the possibility of surface dust scratching it.

For one thing, indoors - the cover won't be blown about by the wind. Secondly, I use the "drop on" type cover...

http://mikemercury.home.att.net/carcover.htm

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:29 PM

C5VetteLS1

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,293

Likes: 0

From: Big Bear City CA

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dug02Z0679L82

Excellent Points! You should only put a cover on a clean dust free surface

I with you on this point!

Apr 9, 2005 | 03:29 PM

C5 RACNG

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 1,918

Likes: 1

From: New York NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

http://mikemercury.home.att.net/carcover.htm

pretty original, Mr. Merc

Apr 9, 2005 | 06:49 PM

Dave68

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 19,304

Likes: 85

From: San Diego CA

If you are driving a relatively short distance, let's say 10-20 miles, then you should cover the car at work. Just sitting there, it will accumulate light sand, bird poop, and possibly tree sap, so covering it protects against these and the damaging effects of UV rays on your seats and top. After I get home from work, I go over the car with a California Duster, especially below the taillights and license plate. If you do leave it all day at work without a cover, you should NOT cover it when you get home for reasons mentioned above.