About 2 months ago I visited a Corvette specialty shop in the Wash. DC area to buy a cover. My 04 doesn't have a garage and I thought a cover would be a good thing to get. The Corvette shop said not to get a cover because they are a large pain to use and actually talked me out of getting one. I'm not still convinced that I shouldn't have a cover. Are there any real issues about using a cover that should convince me other wise? I talked to the guy is traveling around the country with the Corvette C-6 display car and one of the Racing C-5's and some other things. He said he uses a cover on his C-10 pickup and has so for years with no problems. His opinion was that they work just fine. Any advice either way would be much appreciated, Thanks!

 

Bob, I live in Kingstowne, SE of the Mixing Bowl. Like so many of us in the DC/NOVA area, I'm a condo commando without a garage.

A car cover is a must. I have a Noah but there are many good quality car covers to choose from. Go to www.carcoverworld.com and they'll have what your looking for. I recommend the heaviest duty exterior grade car cover you can afford; don't go cheap. You'll also probably have to replace it every couple of years (regardless of the lifetime warranty).

On a side note, you'll want to get a cover with the reinforced tie-down grommets, a good cable, and a decent key lock (not a combination lock). The cable should be about 5 1/2 feet long. Mine's a little longer than that and I end up tying a loop it it so that the cover doesn't flap around in a strong breeze.

Occassionally, a strong wind will pull the cover off the nose or tail of the car but it's much better than having no car cover at all.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the reply. I was told that after it rained you had to remove the cover or the clear coat might be ruined?? I'm inclined not to agree with that advice but he could be correct which is why I posted this question to the forum. I know exactly where you are I sometimes visite the driving range in kingstown. Thanks again!

 

Since my wifes 74 is all over the garage during rebuild, my Vette has to sit outside. I use a NOAH cover and put it on when she gets home and take it offf when she goes out. It was a pain when I had the fixed antenna, but now that the electric is in no problem. Inside or outside it just pays to use a cover to keep mong and nard off the car.

 

A good car cover is virtually waterproof. A good car cover is also porous enough so that water trapped under the car can evaporate over time.

I mentioned before that, in a strong wind (i.e., thunderstorm), the cover occassionally blows off the nose or tail of the car. I'll run down and put the cover back into place, which can trap water under the cover. I've never had any problem with the water evaporating over time.

But I'm also a stickler for maintenance. Never put you car cover on a dirty or dusty car. That'll make the cover rub the finish like sand paper. I've got a California Duster that I use on the car before putting the cover on. Both the duster and cover fit in the large storage area in the back of the car (where the CD changer is). I also use a detailing spray periodically (after dusting the car) to make the car shine and create a static dust barrier. I'm convinced (no scientific evidence, just an observation) that the detailing spray makes the surface slicker so that there's even less abrasion from the car cover.

A quick dusting, detail spray, plus cover on and locked, takes about 10 minutes total. BTW, the duster should not be used on a dirty car, just a dusty one; it doesn't replace a good washing.

I've had my 04 coupe for one year next week and it still looks brand new with very few swirls marks. I attribute that to a good car cover, keeping the car clean, and Zaino.

Is this too much info?

 

Thanks again and heck no.. never too much information! I use the Mcguires detail spray myself and it works very well too. I have been looking at the Noah cover (about $200) and that looks pretty good. I'll either order it off the net or get it at Carlisle in a few weeks. Either way I'm going to make sure I'm "Covered"

 

I don't use an outside cover because I heard that if there is any dirt on your car the car cover will scatch it on a windy day. Of course I am lucky enough to have a garage for the winter months and in the summer I use a windshield screen to block out the sun from hitting the dash board (this is an old habit from owning a Porsche and the dash use to crack on many of them when the sun beat on it all day).

Besides that I keep a good coat of wax on there from Zaino.

 

I've been using Noah covers on all my Vetts. I live in New England and use the car April-Nov, I get 2-3 seasons from a Noah before I need a new one. Eventually the tire areas get dirty and the front and back look tattered. As far as protection they are the best. I pay about $150 from Mid America. They breath so you do need something like a CA duster for a wipe sometimes before driving.

Bob

 

Thanks for the reply! Sounds like a good indorcement for Noah!

 

I have the weathershield cover and I have had problems. Any cover that has the stitching exposed will scratch the finish as the cover billows in the wind. I sent mine back to covercraft and they sewed flannel over all the seams. I haven't used it since, but may do so in the winter.

One forum member recommended sewing a 4 foot strip of elastic on the cover just in front of the front wheels and behind the rears. This will hold it tighter. In addition I am going to the beach with a couple pair of pantyhose and fill them with sand. After placing them in a plastic bag I intend to place them on the hood and truck after the cover is otherwise securred.

 

Hmm, I have been thinking that the inside of the covers would be very soft so they wouldn't scratch. Thanks for the additional info. Before I get a cover I'll inquire as to the under-side construction. The chaffing is one thing the dealer warned me about. Here in the DC area the most thing I'm worried about is hail damage during the summer Thunder storms. I had a roof replaced about 6 years due to hail damage. I don't want to have the Vette repainted if I can help it

 

I live in the Tampa Bay area and have had great experences using the Noah cover with no problems. When I was using my car as a daily driver I would use the cover at work. Of course, my fellow workers thought I was nuts for using a cover, but then, nobody esle had a Vet. I was so **** I would go to lunch and then come back only to again cover the car. I could cover the car in less than one minute. I would start at the front and work my way back. When I took the cover off I would start at the back and work my way to the front so that it would be ready to reinstall from front to back. As far as rain the cover would dry very quickly. If I had to remove a wet cover I would just open it back up in my garage when I got home and lay it across the car. By the morning it was dry. It really kept the car looking good. The covers, if used daily on the outside it should last between 1 1/2 to 2 years. A good investment.

 

A car cover is somewhat of a pain but the effects of it are undeniable. Let's start with the morning dew on your baby leaving water marks or the stray animal walking and scratching your finish. OK how about birds or a neighbor cutting his grass or blowing his sidewalk clean after he's finished and the biggest destroyer of your baby the SUN!! Sorry I just got on a rant. Gary

 

I drive my vette to work and like TomsZ06 I cover my vette.
I use a noah cover. They last about 2-3 years. They dry within hours depending upon the temperature. It protects the car from the weather but most of all from bird droppings which will etch the paint. If you don't want the cover to blow off just face the nose to the wind and the cover will not blow off. It keeps the car looking good between washings. I have been doing this for 5 years.

 

I need to put this on my wish list.

 

So the Weathershield does not have a soft liner? I guess it would not since it is only one layer. Therefore, which is better - a NOAH with a softer inside but not as water resistent or a Weathershield which offers better water protection but I guess from an earlier post in this thread - a harsher inside? Thanks.