Car covers and winter storage

I am looking for opinions on car storage. I put my Z away a couple of days ago for the winter. It will stay in an insulated garage that is shared with our daily drivers, so it may see some weather as the other cars are leaving and entering the garage. Anyhow, are dust resistant car covers recommended for storage or do they do more harm than good? Any recommendations for a decent car cover? or general recommendation for winter storage?

 

As long as the car is very clean when you put the cover over, you're fine.

 

You may find some useful info here- Long Term (Winter) Vehicle Storage

 

California Car Covers California Car Cover Company - About Our Covers. I have a custom outdoor cover and it works great.

 

There is some good information in that link, thanks for sharing it.

 

They have a big selection, lots of choice. Thanks.

 

For the past years that i've stored my car, i've only used a OTC car cover. I've never had issues whatsoever. You can even use blankets lol!

 

Jay,

Canadian Tire sells these touch less car covers basically it's like a U shape canopy that spring up and over your with touching the paint. I can't find the link right now because they have taken off their website but I'm positive they sell it. Call them up ask to speak to someone in Auto.

 

I know what you're talking about, I think I saw them in a flyer. I'll check my local CT but it may be to big to have in the garage... a small price to pay for nothing touching the paint I suppose. Really I was wondering if it's worth it to cover it at all, a little dust isn't going to hurt the car, I would be the only one to occasionally walk near it so I don't have to worry about anyone rubbing against it... I guess the biggest plus to having a cover would be that the car would look cleaner come spring.

Are there any "cons" to having a car cover?

 

I personally have never applied a car cover but I have "heard" it may induce marring if put on or taken off ruffly

[video=youtube;TWURKK06R8A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWURKK06R8A&feature=channel_video_title[/video]

I love this GUY!

 

Don't pay too much attention on his video about "how to clay" because I believe it's wrong, he says to put as much pressure as you can and use the whole block but clay works by being sticky and you should use light passes and over lap and repeat if necessary his method "might" work on his 'vette because those things have the hardest clear cote.

Hard passes will theoretically induce more marring them cleaning up

 

I have a Covercraft Noah for my Dakota but I stopped using it. It is very difficult to put on with one person and not nearly as easy as the 'vette. The cover fits like a glove so it does drag on the paint and cause some light marring especially on the top of the cab. It also will not fold up like the video. The Noah is designed for outside so it is much stiffer.

 

The interwebs is awesome! You can find anything on youtube! lol

 

I bought my first all cotton cover for my 1969 Camaro in 1970 from Beverly Hills Motoring in Beverly Hills, CA. They made the absolutely best car covers anywhere and they were all made in California. Eventually this company went under and became California Car Covers out of California. I have bought many, many, car covers over the years since then, and would not be without them.
In sunny California where I lived for around 35 years, one would want to have one for UV and heat protection, and I used them whenever I went to work even.
Depending on your paint color, your technique in installing and removing your cover, the hardness of the paint, the condition of the paint (dirty or clean), and the same for the inside of the car cover, you may induce some scratching, but geez, I cant ever see it.

The Corvette guy put on the cover correctly. The only thing I do differently, is that I dont care to take if off and roll it up to the middle of the car, I would rather remove it from the front first, then the mirrors, and lay it on the inside of the mirror while I go to the other side and do the same, then take it off the back end, then take each side that is laying inside the mirrors and put them on top of the car in a long line for each side. Then, go to the back, and start rolling it up, so that it all ends up being rolled completely up on the trunk. Then put it in the bag or in the trunk. Next time I use, it, I set it on the trunk, unroll it over the car from the back, laying each section inside the mirrors and finish the front, pull it over the front, pull it on the mirrors, and working my way to the back , finish pulling it over the back end.

The only problems you will ever have doing this is - you guessed it - windy conditions.
So, you have to make a choice, do you want to use it, and go through a bigger challenge, or just not use it and put it on next time.

So, now you have a dirty car, what do you do ? If its not really dirty and can be dusted off then maybe you do that and then install the cover, maybe you just put the cover on and be done with it, it is all up to you. Will it scratch your car and make it so bad all your friends will accuse you of CCAOP? (car cover abuser of paint). Maybe, maybe not.
I had a lot of lighter color cars and I could not really tell I was hurting the paint much. And Im a Detailer... To each his own...

There are several fabric types to choose from. If the cover is for inside only and never going outside, a soft flannel or cotton one will keep it from getting dusty and protect the paint somewhat better than nothing at all.

My choice is an all around weatherproof breathable, lightweight, fitted, cover that protects the car from sun, uv, and getting hammered if it rains, and dries quickly if it does.
The last one I bought for our 540i was from California Car Cover and it says WeatherShield or WeatherTech, inside the cover on a small label. Its silver and is very light, easy to use, fits tight and doesnt blow off, etc., and really shows off the lines of the car. Its also washable, and doesnt shrink like a pure cotton one will, if you wash it in hot water.

Any car cover will be way easier to manage coming off or on with 2 people - that is the 1st rule to remember..
Any car cover will be way harder to manage in the wind alone, and in some conditions, it may be dang near impossible - 2nd rule to remember...

Any car covered with a car cover is somewhat camouflaged from prying eyes, and maybe this is a good idea.. Any extra logo on the outside of the cover, is like saying - here is a nice car that you couldnt tell what it was, until you read the logo.. Ask yourself if you really want to do that.......

Any car covered with a car cover kind of "disappears" from normal view. Stick to colors that allow that to happen more easily, or if you want to make a statement, they come in really "loud" colors too...

Good luck !
Dan F

 

Vehicle Weather Protection Covers

 

This has turned into a very informative thread for car covers and winter storage. Thanks for the post Dan F, and the good links togwt also the installation video from Hamza7 is helpful with proper procedure. I will now be on the hunt for a suitable neutral coloured car cover.

 

My car is kept outside, so I have no choice. It's either exposed to the elements or marring and light scratches for the cover.

 

Gale Force ---

You are welcome ! Glad I could offer some of my experiences with car covers to you and the Forum.

One other thing that came to mind today - if you use your car cover as much as possible, the car will always be cleaner !
You will be spending less time washing it as all the gunk that falls from the sky, is splashed, etc., whatever onto the car will be prevented from hitting the paint !

The car cover in the video looked very plastic/vinyl looking - maybe it was the video or the speed, but to me it didn't look as nice as the one I bought last that is more high performance thin cloth like but not, not "wrinkle looking", and fits very smooth and tight.

Good luck, hope you find what you are looking for.
Dan F

 

BTW I have a Super Weave Car Cover from CCC and couldn't be happier.

Providing the premium in outdoor, all-weather storage protection; Superweave is our most UV resistant, water resistant and weather resistant cover. The versatile Superweave material features unsurpassed moisture, dust and pollutant protection. The encapsulation technology goes INSIDE the fabric, around the fibers, resulting in a silky smooth finish that glides over fine paint finishes. Superweave is also dust-proof so it will keep your vehicle clean whether it is stored indoors or out. It still remains exceptionally breathable, allowing moisture, condensation and heat to easily escape from under the cover. When rain hits the cover it simply runs right off and any moisture left on the cover will usually dry in about 10 minutes. Its unique lightweight design also enables it to fold up to 1/3 the size of your typical outdoor car cover (about the size of a sweatshirt or jacket), but does not take away from its ability to protect your automobile's finish. The material is also easy to care for because it is the only fabric that is washer and dryer safe. 4-year limited warranty. The Superweave can be ordered in one or two-tone color combinations. Available in Black, Bright Blue, Grey, Sky Blue, Green, Red, Taupe and Yellow. Motorcycle covers are also available in the Superweave material; in Black, Grey and Taupe - single color designs only. Made in the U.S.A.

California Car Cover Company - How to Select

 

Inyadrems --

Thanks for posting this - the cover I bought last is very similar, and probably the 1st generation of the line. Yours is obviously an improved version of mine, and I would not hesitate to buy another in this configuration when the time comes.

Dan F