Need Car Cover Advice.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Need Car Cover Advice.
I'm looking for the best fitting indoor car cover for my C5 vert. It will be used in the garage and is needed to protect from scratches, not rain. I would like it to be machine washable as well. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
I'm looking for the best fitting indoor car cover for my C5 vert. It will be used in the garage and is needed to protect from scratches, not rain. I would like it to be machine washable as well.
add me to the list. It is getting clsoe to the colder month and teh car is going to be stored in the gaqrage for the winter. I will also never use this out side.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
If you'd like it to be machine washable in your own washing machine, your options may be very limited. I've had both 100% cotton and my current Noah (polypropylene mesh) covers and neither will fit comfortably in a home washing machine. I take my Noah to a laundrymat every few months to wash and dry (very low heat).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 830
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From: Pasadena MD
Originally Posted by Dave68
If you'd like it to be machine washable in your own washing machine, your options may be very limited. I've had both 100% cotton and my current Noah (polypropylene mesh) covers and neither will fit comfortably in a home washing machine. I take my Noah to a laundrymat every few months to wash and dry (very low heat).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by Dave68
If you'd like it to be machine washable in your own washing machine, your options may be very limited. I've had both 100% cotton and my current Noah (polypropylene mesh) covers and neither will fit comfortably in a home washing machine. I take my Noah to a laundrymat every few months to wash and dry (very low heat).
I agree with Dave68 on the washability issue.
I have a Tracey Durafin cover -
http://www.carcovers.com/materials.html
It is cotton canvas (heavy) on the outside and flannel lined - very soft.
It is much to big to wash, but it is only for indoor storage (your intended use) so you will not need to wash it very often, and of course you never ever put a cover on a dirty car. I have had mine for a couple of years now and it is still like new. You can wash the cover sufficiently by hosing it off, hang it on a fence etc... then let it dry.
There are two things with the cover -
one - it does not have built in mirror pockets like most other covers I have seen - but it is cut full enough so as to just slip over the mirrors. No big deal, but I noticed this...
two - it smells of the chemical that is put on it, presumably to bead water or whatever. It still has this odor, but I do keep the cover in a plastic storage bin when not in use which may help to preserve the odor.
The cover is very thick and heavy, and when I bought it, I was just wanting to keep the car from getting contact abrasions from the family walking in an out of the garage. The cover has performed admirably.
best regards -
mqqn
Last edited by mqqn; Sep 27, 2004 at 04:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,353
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From: West Linn OR
I have the two tone "Storm Shield" in black and gray, got it from West Coast Corvettes. It is sturdy but lightweight, it has gotten wet a few times and is waterproof, been using it for 6 months and have no issues with scratches, etc. I keep it rolled up in a small duffel bag in the back of the coupe.
Sorry I tried to get a link or a pic but WCC has their site protected.
Sorry I tried to get a link or a pic but WCC has their site protected.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
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From: The Arid Sunny Desert
I am looking for one that is custom fitted with mirror pockets. I like the 2-tone cover but $259+ shipping is a bit exhorbitant for a cover that will only be used indoors no? I am still considering it however as it will be a birthday present given to me! 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
You can get a custom-fit Noah for $100. My Noah "Wolf" cover is over three years old, is used daily in all-day sun, and is still in good shape. Another way to wash one is in the bathtub - you stomp on it like an Italian grape-masher but hey, it works if you don't want to go to the laundrymat!
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Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
I am looking for one that is custom fitted with mirror pockets. I like the 2-tone cover but $259+ shipping is a bit exhorbitant for a cover that will only be used indoors no? I am still considering it however as it will be a birthday present given to me!
I am just curious, why the need for mirror pockets if the cover is made to accomodate the mirrors?
I kinda wrestled with this myself, but I could never come up with any reason one was better than the other. The mirror pockets do necessitate a trip to the mirror to get it postitioned, whereas the looser fitting cover you can just roll it out and pull it at each corner.
You have a lot of options in covers. Good luck picking out your present (shhhh, I won't tell
)best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
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From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Mqqn, even though it doesn't have the pockets for the mirrors is the rest of the cover custom fitted for the C5? Or is it just a size that is big enough for the vette? Are there different part #'s for the coupe and the vert? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Mqqn, even though it doesn't have the pockets for the mirrors is the rest of the cover custom fitted for the C5? Or is it just a size that is big enough for the vette? Are there different part #'s for the coupe and the vert? Thanks.
It's custom fitted for the C5 - the corners are stiched to follow ther body lines - you can tell it's a vette when it is on.
I was surprised when it did not have mirror pockets - the other covers I have ordered (several) from other places all had the mirror pockets stitched into them.
best regards -
mqqn
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
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From: Newport AR
I am extremely unhappy with my NOAH cover. It fits great but it is not waterproof or even water resistant and dirt and dust seem to go right through it too. I did this test - one day had my car show ready, then covered it overnight (clear, no rain); the next day, I simply left the cover off - to my surprise, the car was much cleaner and easier to prep again when the cover was left off, instead of on (my guess is that it is because the NOAH fabric seems to prevent dirt from blowing away or slipping off the slick waxed surface). At best, the NOAH is some protection from sun and minor bumps. I will be tossing mine, not cleaning it.
Two or three places that sell covers with up to five fabric choices all rated NOAH right at the top. I would hate to have a lesser cover.
Two or three places that sell covers with up to five fabric choices all rated NOAH right at the top. I would hate to have a lesser cover.
Last edited by GMDGary; Sep 28, 2004 at 03:02 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 8
From: spring Grove illinois
I have a Back East cover in cotton with a flannel lining! I use it to cover the car in the garage only during winter storage. Have had it for almost 6 years and its still as good as new> Purchased it from the old Mid America { New name now} and paid $100. This is all you really need for indoor storage
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,353
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From: West Linn OR
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
I am looking for one that is custom fitted with mirror pockets. I like the 2-tone cover but $259+ shipping is a bit exhorbitant for a cover that will only be used indoors no? I am still considering it however as it will be a birthday present given to me!
The StormShield cover has mirror pockets and a swell C5 logo on the nose. Mine is gray and black, I believe they also come red/black and yellow/black. I think mine was $229 but maybe that was with a discount. Anyway, it was the one I liked, hit the sweet spot for protection, weight and "packability", and yes, looks....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by Fuelie driver
I have a Back East cover in cotton with a flannel lining! I use it to cover the car in the garage only during winter storage. Have had it for almost 6 years and its still as good as new> Purchased it from the old Mid America { New name now} and paid $100. This is all you really need for indoor storage
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 8
From: spring Grove illinois
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Do you have any part #'s as I am now leaning towards a flannel lined cover. Also how is the fit and does it have mirror pockets. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by Fuelie driver
I have a Back East cover in cotton with a flannel lining! I use it to cover the car in the garage only during winter storage. Have had it for almost 6 years and its still as good as new> Purchased it from the old Mid America { New name now} and paid $100. This is all you really need for indoor storage
