Car covers

[Explosive Newt]

Is it worth covering up a car that lives outside and is used once a week to once a fortnight? Does it protect the roof/paintwork from the elements or does trapping moisture underneath it just do more harm than good?

[Rich B]

Is your car getting particularly dirty in the week you're not using it?

[Matty]

Just clean/wax it and leave it outside - covers can do more damage than good, especially scratching the paintwork.

[integrale_evo]

Depends on the car, and the cover.

Just be aware that most of the ‘waterproof’ covers out there really aren’t, a car needs to be clean before you drag the cover over it, and most of them are a faff to fold up and store between uses.

If it’s a reasonably modern car which doesn’t suffer from rust / damp / leaks and is used every couple of weeks or so then I really wouldn’t bother.

If it’s for longer term storage over winter months then it might be more worthwhile. The only covers I’ve found which are both properly waterproof and breathable and don’t fall to bits are from here,

https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/ ... prod_10077

Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Despite their adds everywhere, avoid storm force. They’re hard feeling, not waterproof, the one I bought was a horrendous fit, and started disintegrating within a few months.

[jamcg]

Not sure how much space you have

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... rage---da/

[Alex88]

I have a fancy breathable one for the 6 series. I never use it now and wouldn't bother again unless the car was sitting for quite some time. In fairness, it was pretty good and did what it said, but the pain of putting it on, taking it off whilst being careful not to let the inner microfibre touch the ground, drying it, carefully folding it up... couldn't be doing with it. I also had a suspicion that some debris had blown under the cover and caused some scratches. Couldn't be sure, though.

I sometimes use a partial cover that only covers the cockpit. I use it when we have lots of heavy rain / continuous hot days. Handily, this one also goes as far as covering the drain areas, so no worry about water in the footwell/boot. It's easy to put on/take off, doesn't pick up all the crap off the ground, and doesn't blow about too much.

[Explosive Newt]

Is your car getting particularly dirty in the week you're not using it?

This is my main concern - in autum lots of small leaves come off the hedgerows and I am worried (perhaps stupidly) that they will mulch up and block drainage channels etc.

[Rich B]

Checking and cleaning out the gutters once a week is far less hassle than making sure the car and the cover are spotlessly clean Before use every week.

[Rich B]

I have a fancy breathable one for the 6 series. I never use it now and wouldn't bother again unless the car was sitting for quite some time.

well it appears Alex deleted his post...

[Alex88]

Yes, I did. I wrote a reply to your post thinking it was in response to mine. Saw it wasn't, so deleted it.