I need a car cover recommendation

mediahound · 07-09-01, 08:08

Can anyone recommend a good car cover? I'm looking for a fitted one that will have the mirror pockets.

My stock Honda one that I got at the dealer has begun shedding fine blue dust (the color of the cover) all over my black Si. Very annoying. I'm quite dissappointed in it. I think it's the Evolution fabric, but I'm not sure...

Any suggestions would be super!

michaelb · 07-09-01, 08:14

Inside or out?

mediahound · 07-09-01, 08:31

I'm not sure what you mean. It's to use outside...

michaelb · 07-09-01, 08:34

That's what I meant. My only experience is with covers for indoor use. Sorry, I cannot be of any help.

Brad B. · 07-10-01, 07:28

I have several covers from various manufacturers. I like the soft ones with felt(?) linings a lot. They have withstood the outdoors well. They are pretty compact but heavy when wet.

The storm guard type are best for outdoor protection but not soft aor easily stored since they dont compact or fold well. I had one of these for a VW van that looked like a big toaster cozy and felt like a circus tent when folding up. It did protect well, though.

Go to the back of a car mag like Road and Track. There are several companies selling covers. I suggest checking their web pages for descriptions. I had samples of the materials sent to me before I ordered. (California Car Cover Co., I think.) It was very helpful.

It's confusing and you need to decide what your specific needs are. Again, I much prefer the covers that are slated for both indoor/outdoor use. They may not offer the maximum "protection" but they do the job well and are easier to handle. And if it's more convenient you will use it more often.

arcticwhite · 07-10-01, 07:51

The lining that you are referring to is typically flannel. One question though: Are you sure that you have used flannel lined covers outdoors? These covers are normally slated for indoor use only, as they become very heavy when wet (as you stated) and do not "breath", but actually hold the moisture against the car.

I had purchased a flannel lined cover for my husband's Mustang about a year ago - his car is never stored outside (I don't think it remembers what the road looks like) and this was a major factor in deciding which cover to purchase.

Don2000g · 07-10-01, 07:56

I have a Noah car cover. It is pretty good as it offers great water, dust and heat protection. One of the best ones you can buy. Evolution 4 covers are also pretty nice. The only real advantage over the Noah, for me anyway, is that they are a bit thicker and softer. This allows for the covered car to be hit with a flying door with no worries. I would think it might be good for hail too. Not that it hails much though.
One that I've barely come across though seems pretty user friendly. It's one from http://www.griotsgarage.com. It's called the All Weather, Non Bulky Car Covers. The Noah is a great cover and is thinner and more compact than nearly every other quality cover. However, the Griot's cover supposedly folds up to 1/3 the space of the Noah. Wow! Curious as to how it rates to the protection value of the Noah though. By the way the Griots cover runs about $259 and up. The Noah covers run about $160 and up. I'd probably recommend a Noah car cover. Offers great protection and is not overly bulky at all. But then the Griots cover does seem pretty interesting. Laters.

Brad B. · 07-10-01, 08:02

Yes, I did use it outside to cover my car while at work. I didn't bother to cover if I knew it was going to rain. It did get wet once in a while and was quite heavy but never caused any problems. It easily air dried on the car.

I have used other "outside" car covers and was disappointed in the compactability of them. They took up the whole trunk when folded. I took the cover with me all the time so size and convenience was important. It didn't just get "stored".

My goal is just to keep the sun and dirt off the car. Most any car cover, even those designated for inside use, will do that.

Don2000g · 07-10-01, 08:32

I had some pages printed from a website a year ago. I was pretty much in the same situation that you were. I don't have the website address but I do have a little bit of info. that you can use to do some more research on and ponder over. Some car covers were rated on a scale from 1-10 on a few different categories. Also, all covers were being sold from this single website. So I really don't think that anything unethical was being reported here.

Noah Car Cover:

Rain Protection 9
Snow Protection 8
Sun Protection 8
Dust protection 9
Price starts at $150
Also, only weighs 4.45 oz. per sq. yd (Not bad at all)

Sentrex MultiBond:

Rain 4
Snow 3
Sun 5
Dust 4
Price starts at $80

Sunbrella:

Rain 5
Snow 4
Sun 10
Dust 4
Price starts at $239

Ultralon:

Rain 8
Snow 7
Sun 7
Dust 7
Price starts at $180

I can't seem to find the info on the Evolution 4 but I'll continue to look. Laters.

[Edited by Don2000g on 07-10-2001 at 07:40 AM]

mediahound · 07-10-01, 09:37

Maybe I should try to go with Evolution 4 since I like the thicker bump protection over the Noah. However, my current Honda brand car cover is Evolution 4 and it is shedding..Maybe because it's' blue and the color or dye is too much or something. I dunno what's going on...

Don2000g · 07-10-01, 10:21

Normally, silver or grey colored covers are best for exterior use. I think the only circumstance I'd select an Evolution 4 cover is if people tend to park real close to you. Personally, I've closed the door on my brother's Chevy Camaro so that it hit my covered car. No problem. No dent or scratch or anythng. Of course I didn't fling it out real forcefully. Anyway, it's your call. I just think that for the price, thinner material, and great overall protection, the Noah is probably the best buy.

Damn, I still can't find the info on the Evolution 4. I do remember that it offered very similar protection as the Noah though. I guess ooth are very good buys. Laters.

mediahound · 07-10-01, 10:41

Maybe they aren't making the Evolution 4 anymore...