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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 09:55 AM
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Default Car cover

Did some searches but results haven't helped. Are there any car covers that stand out from the others? I looked at Cover King, Cover Craft, Sealskin, Cal car cover, Beverly Hills. Having a tough time deciding. This is not for my z06 [it gets the garage], it's for my '05 SLK55.
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 03:52 PM
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I've run Cover Craft in the past, it's solidly built
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 04:19 PM
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Car came with a Covercraft silver reflect cover. Kept car cooler, but not remotely dry, and started shredding about a year after I bought the car. I've also had Coverking SIlver Guard obtained through Costco, and a used Noah cover from the 'parts for sale' thread. The Coverking reflected the sun, but let water through pretty readily, and lasted about two years in central Florida before starting to shred when touched. The used Noah cover was/is very reminiscent of a very large Sham-wow. Thick and heavy, and absorbs water (and lets the water through) like a sponge.
Currently running a KAKIT cover obtained through Amazon, recommended by a fellow enthusiast here on the CF. Still not perfect, but stops water better than others I've run, at half the cost. The one I got is specific to the C5 (and cut more for the FRC than the coupe) and I don't know if they have one for a 'SLK55'.
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by redzg
Car came with a Covercraft silver reflect cover. Kept car cooler, but not remotely dry, and started shredding about a year after I bought the car. I've also had Coverking SIlver Guard obtained through Costco, and a used Noah cover from the 'parts for sale' thread. The Coverking reflected the sun, but let water through pretty readily, and lasted about two years in central Florida before starting to shred when touched. The used Noah cover was/is very reminiscent of a very large Sham-wow. Thick and heavy, and absorbs water (and lets the water through) like a sponge.
Currently running a KAKIT cover obtained through Amazon, recommended by a fellow enthusiast here on the CF. Still not perfect, but stops water better than others I've run, at half the cost. The one I got is specific to the C5 (and cut more for the FRC than the coupe) and I don't know if they have one for a 'SLK55'.
Thank you for the info. I know the covers have to be breathable but i thought they were water resistant/repellant. I'm shocked at how short lived they are. Prices seem to range from $300-500 for most covers. That a lot of bucks to fall apart in a few years. If it wasn't for the dam town always wanting permits and taxes i would put up one of those aluminum covers/carports. Edit to ask do you take cover off after every rain to let it dry or does it dry quick on its own.

Last edited by jpm995; Mar 2, 2023 at 05:08 PM.
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 05:08 PM
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Is this cover for outdoors or indoors?
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Fast one
Is this cover for outdoors or indoors?
Outdoors. Doubt i'll ever buy another house but if i do it will have at least a 2 car garage.
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 07:17 PM
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Noah material cover. Not sure what company makes it but in my opinion the Noah cover is great for outdoor use. I have had one for 25 years.
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Old Mar 2, 2023 | 08:24 PM
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Here's a Cover Craft car cover with the usual two tie down grommets in the center on a Cadillac, I had to buy some clamp on grommets from Harbor Freight for the front and back so the cover could be tied down and not lift off in the wind as seen in the photo. The elastic at the bottom didn't keep the cover on.
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 03:16 AM
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Interesting hearing this about life span of covers, I think usage is a key. My personal usage was periodically through the week, space was covered thus no wetness. If it would have moisture exposure then maybe I would have experienced more rapid wear, but mine was barely just ruffled after partial year of cycles.
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jpm995
Did some searches but results haven't helped. Are there any car covers that stand out from the others? I looked at Cover King, Cover Craft, Sealskin, Cal car cover, Beverly Hills. Having a tough time deciding. This is not for my z06 [it gets the garage], it's for my '05 SLK55.
I'm in Florida and have spent mucho money over thirteen years and none of them go much farther than one year...
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by kh400
I'm in Florida and have spent mucho money over thirteen years and none of them go much farther than one year...
Have you used a Noah cover? I have used other, cheaper covers that did not hold up. Inside and out. The Noah, I used sporadically out doors and it was very good. After 25 years of use every winter no deterioration whatsoever of the material.
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Fast one
Here's a Cover Craft car cover with the usual two tie down grommets in the center on a Cadillac, I had to buy some clamp on grommets from Harbor Freight for the front and back so the cover could be tied down and not lift off in the wind as seen in the photo. The elastic at the bottom didn't keep the cover on.
Since I started using these I have yet to have the cover blow off.

Amazon Amazon
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 03:46 PM
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I have this cover.

https://coverking.com/products/2001-...autobody-armor


I have only used it 4/22-11/22. I keep the car in storage during winter. It's not perfect but I'm pretty pleased with it so far. If it rains hard the car will get wet but it will also dry. I try not to ever take the cover off until it's completely dry and it does dry quick after getting wet. If there is a lot of dirt/pollen on the cover I will hit it w my leaf blower before removal. Very little dirt/pollen gets through and what little does I dust/blow off with the California duster and leaf blower. I typically then wipe the car down with a mini detail spray.

Before covering the car I clean any dirty areas with Meguiars Ultimate Waterless wash & Wax. I also do not go overboard on tire shine as it gets on the inside of the cover.

I haven't washed the car w a hose since Memorial Day weekend when I went on a 600 mile trip and got caught in a rainstorm. I constantly get comments about how clean the car is.

I did machine wash on cold and let airdry when I put the car away for the winter. It appears to have held up fine after the wash and cleaned up better than I expected. Not all wash machines are going to have the capacity to wash this.

Car covers aren't perfect but certainly better than nothing imo.

Last edited by Eshoremd; Mar 4, 2023 at 02:49 PM.
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Fcar 98
Have you used a Noah cover? I have used other, cheaper covers that did not hold up. Inside and out. The Noah, I used sporadically out doors and it was very good. After 25 years of use every winter no deterioration whatsoever of the material.
You get about 2 years use from them in AZ. Great cover for those 2 years though...
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 03:59 PM
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The clip on eyelets usually grab over the bottom folded over seam onto the single layer material and stress it so eventually it rips away from the rest of the cover, that's what did in my last cover. The two standard center eyelets are reinforded so they can take the stress longer.
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Old Mar 3, 2023 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Eshoremd
I have this cover.

https://coverking.com/products/2001-...autobody-armor


I have only used it 4/22-11/22. I keep the car in storage during winter. It's not perfect but I'm pretty pleased with it so far. If it rains hard the car will get wet but it will also dry. I try not to ever take the cover off until it's completely dry and it does dry quick after getting wet. If there is a lot of dirt/pollen on the cover I will hit it w my leaf blower before removal. Very little dirt/pollen gets through and what little does I wipe/blow off with the California duster and leaf blower.

I typically then wipe the car down with a mini detail spray. Before recovering the car I clean any dirty areas with Meguiars Ultimate Waterless wash & Wax. I also do not go overboard on tire shine as it gets on the inside of the cover.

I haven't washed the car w a hose since Memorial Day weekend when I went on a 600 mile trip and got caught in a rainstorm. I constantly get comments about how clean the car is.

I did machine wash on cold and let airdry when I put the car for the winter. It appears to have held up fine after the wash and cleaned up better than I expected. Not all wash machines are going to have the capacity to wash this.

Car covers aren't perfect but certainly better than nothing imo.
I was looking at this cover. It's $385 for my MB SLK55 AMG. This kind of worries me, from their website. Thirty mph winds are pretty common here.
  • Do not rely solely on the elasticized bottom of the cover in even moderate winds. Utilize the integrated security grommets in any substantial wind. If high wind conditions are present (30+mph), the covers should not be used.
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Old Mar 4, 2023 | 04:35 AM
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All the security grommets do is keep the cover from blowing completely off the vehicle and slightly slow someone down from stealing the cover.

I use these and haven't ever had the cover even move a little as far as I can tell. The thing fits pretty snug.
Amazon Amazon

It has definitely seen 30 plus mph wind.
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Old Mar 4, 2023 | 04:38 AM
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Old Mar 6, 2023 | 01:02 AM
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Coverking makes a good cover.
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Old Mar 6, 2023 | 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by kh400
I'm in Florida and have spent mucho money over thirteen years and none of them go much farther than one year...
​​​​Yeah, what's the pricing/durability ratio..

Originally Posted by Fcar 98
Have you used a Noah cover? I have used other, cheaper covers that did not hold up. Inside and out. The Noah, I used sporadically out doors and it was very good. After 25 years of use every winter no deterioration whatsoever of the material.
Interesting, very interesting. What's the price

Last edited by Boss 57; Mar 6, 2023 at 01:22 AM. Reason: Remove Sig (Mobile App)
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