Outdoor car cover

[Towers66]

Loosing my garage space soon and want to get a car cover. What have people got or recommend for me to get to protect my paint work ??
Thanks in advance

[Bonymaenjack]

I have one of these with no complaints so far. A few tips as well . But how I wish I had a garage

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stormforce-W ... SwMtxXvV0h

https://www.google.com/search?q=tips+fo ... APtt--wAg8

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.carcoverzone.co.uk

[Dlb26]

How long have you had the stormforce? I've had 2, the second under guarantee, they both deteriorated after winter followed by summer ultraviolet. The first cover obviously within one year for the guarantee to be used, the second managed 2 seasons before going the same way. The outer layer started to crack and peel off and the inner left fine dust over the body which sticks surprisingly well with static. I'm now on the Halfords all season after reading good things online and am pleased with it. It's considerably cheaper yet keeps the car completely dry. Downsides are no mirror pockets and a slightly reflective silver finish which isn't the most subtle.

[Bonymaenjack]

How long have you had the stormforce? I've had 2, the second under guarantee, they both deteriorated after winter followed by summer ultraviolet. The first cover obviously within one year for the guarantee to be used, the second managed 2 seasons before going the same way. The outer layer started to crack and peel off and the inner left fine dust over the body which sticks surprisingly well with static. I'm now on the Halfords all season after reading good things online and am pleased with it. It's considerably cheaper yet keeps the car completely dry. Downsides are no mirror pockets and a slightly reflective silver finish which isn't the most subtle.

I've had mine about 4 years but I only use mine intermittently as the car's a daily driver and so far not in the summer so I couldn't comment on the effect UV light may have on the material. I read the reviews before purchasing it with the majority being positive but the UV does seem to be a problem . I have to lay the car up until the new year so it'll be covered up until January at least , I've had cheaper covers over the years and in my experience they can cause more harm than good so good luck

[steve_k]

over the past few years i've used a combination of 2 covers,

one from halfords & one i got from B&Q, (one on top of the other).
but underneath i've always maintained a good coat of wax & the car has never shown any signs of rust starting, also inside the car i use an old sock full of cat litter in the front & back to stop any moisture/condensation building up.

also, if you are going to keep the car outside under a cover make sure to remove the cover once a week or so for a day to let any damp/moisture on the car dry out as a lot of the covers (even the expensive ones) tend to trap it between the cover & the car.

[Dlb26]

over the past few years i've used a combination of 2 covers,

one from halfords & one i got from B&Q, (one on top of the other).
but underneath i've always maintained a good coat of wax & the car has never shown any signs of rust starting, also inside the car i use an old sock full of cat litter in the front & back to stop any moisture/condensation building up.

also, if you are going to keep the car outside under a cover make sure to remove the cover once a week or so for a day to let any damp/moisture on the car dry out as a lot of the covers (even the expensive ones) tend to trap it between the cover & the car.

Pretty similar to my regime, definitely good coat of wax and moisture traps a plenty. Uncover for dry days, I've encountered considerably less moisture under the halfords one and it has a softer inner layer.

[steve_k]

over the past few years i've used a combination of 2 covers,

one from halfords & one i got from B&Q, (one on top of the other).
but underneath i've always maintained a good coat of wax & the car has never shown any signs of rust starting, also inside the car i use an old sock full of cat litter in the front & back to stop any moisture/condensation building up.

also, if you are going to keep the car outside under a cover make sure to remove the cover once a week or so for a day to let any damp/moisture on the car dry out as a lot of the covers (even the expensive ones) tend to trap it between the cover & the car.

Pretty similar to my regime, definitely good coat of wax and moisture traps a plenty. Uncover for dry days, I've encountered considerably less moisture under the halfords one and it has a softer inner layer.

i put the halfords one under the cheap streetwize one, seems to work for me.

[Elsalmon]

I am in a similar situation to the above (no garage) and looking to buy a convertible.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but would you say that you have to have a cover for an e30 if you don't have a garage? Mine won't be a daily driver but should stretch its legs every weekend or so.

[Dlb26]

You don't have to, mine's a convertible too and it's one of the main reasons I use it along with general weather protection to the bodywork, my uncracked dashboard in sunshine and even a bit of security to the passer by. My roof is sound as it was new when I bought the car but I'm happier with it covered. As you have read it's not a fit and forget solution though and I think this is when issues occur. I do have a garage but it has my first classic in it which is much more vulnerable being British and made of seventies strike quality steel

[martauto]

If you have to keep it out side and have no cover, then try what I used on both of mine.
Fabsil Gold.
Brush on two coats and you are good for at least three to four years and it beads like hell
My E46 has the hard top on now but the soft top in the rain was awsome in the run up to it.
I tried twice to put a cover on the two E30`s and over the winter found them down the street quite a distance away.lol .
Quite windy here at times.

Mart.

[steve_k]

fabsil gold? i use that on my trainers

[Dlb26]

fabsil gold? i use that on my trainers

Hopefully we are talking about the cab roof and not the rest of the car

[Bonymaenjack]

fabsil gold? i use that on my trainers

Hopefully we are talking about the cab roof and not the rest of the car

I did think the same then it twigged