Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    6
    Post Thanks / Like
    Hi



    I live in San Francisco, drive a 2001 black Audi S4 and park on the streets usually near/under trees. I usually drive it once/twice a week for 90 miles or so at a time.



    The car is in ok shape (used to be garaged but wasn`t really cared for and has lots of swirl marks). Plan is to correct them with a PC at some point and then protect with wax.



    My q. is it worth using a car cover? What I have heard is that though it helps with dust, bird bombs, sap etc, the chances of scratches from the wind, and also when the car is not totally clean is very high and so no point.



    Opinions welcome.



    S

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2,889
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by sndraco
    Hi



    I live in San Francisco, drive a 2001 black Audi S4 and park on the streets usually near/under trees. I usually drive it once/twice a week for 90 miles or so at a time.



    The car is in ok shape (used to be garaged but wasn`t really cared for and has lots of swirl marks). Plan is to correct them with a PC at some point and then protect with wax.



    My q. is it worth using a car cover? What I have heard is that though it helps with dust, bird bombs, sap etc, the chances of scratches from the wind, and also when the car is not totally clean is very high and so no point.



    Opinions welcome.



    S
    After correction I would stay away from car covers for the reasons you mentioned. Have you tried removing a car cover in heavy rain? Not fun.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    86,975
    Post Thanks / Like
    sndraco- I`ve never been able to use a cover outdoors without causing at least as many problems that I was preventing, so it was just a question of which problems I`d rather live with in the specific case.



    Generally, you`d be preventing contamination but causing marring- your call :nixweiss



    The only way that *I* would consider using it would be to (only) put it on right after a wash while the car is still spotless. And even then I bet you`d mar the paint. But that could very well be preferable to too-deep-to-be-fixed etching from birds and trees.



    Gee, if anything I probably made the decision harder, huh?!?



    Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    3
    Post Thanks / Like
    Hi guys,



    just looking for some opinions... My situation:



    I use my alfa (156) on the weekends - might pull it out once during the week every now and then... its in a garaged car park, but it has no roof - my spot is straddled by a wall with balconies above... as a result a lot of fall out and dust gets dumped on my car from the tall building face above... I think i really need a car cover to protect my car...



    i`ve been very keen on a tyvek cover - like the kenco but can never find a medium size at supercheap auto... any where esle i can grab this? the other alternative is the autodelta storm cover... but i think for my needs the tyvek is the go as its very breathe-able and light and compact - it makes it far easier to live with... i had a heavy generic car cover before - i didn`t notice it damage the paint but i never paid attention to that car (well, it was a nissan in my defence).. it was really annoying to try to pack it up everytime and it was enormous - even rolled up...



    my question is - how do people go with outdoor car covers? any night mare stories? is it a given that a cover will wear the edges off the paint due to it moving around?



    it`d be very pissed if i ended up spending $150 on something that spectacularly ruins the paint...

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    86,975
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Carrol122
    ..my question is - how do people go with outdoor car covers? any night mare stories? is it a given that a cover will wear the edges off the paint due to it moving around?



    it`d be very pissed if i ended up spending $150 on something that spectacularly ruins the paint...


    For that price I can`t imagine anything you`d want to put on a car that you care about. Covers really oughta be custom made to fit *perfectly* and even then damage is always possible. It`s a question of the lesser evil if your outdoor-car is exposed to nasty stuff (as yours apparently is).



    But sure, there are all sorts of horror stories about paint clouding, severe abrasion....you name it and somebody has posted about it on the internet.



    I`ve never had serious damage, just some light marring that I consider inevitable. But then I always had very good custom made covers and I never put `em on the car unless it was utterly spotless (as in, freshly washed).



    And yeah...do do have to give some thought to what to do with the cover. Gotta roll it up just right or contamination from the "outside" surface will get on the inner part that touches your paint (resulting in marring). And handling a wet, dirty cover is no fun at all. AND...you gotta clean/dry it before you put it back on the car (which also needs to be clean and dry). Awful lot of hassles to do it right.



    Of course, if you`re dealing with a severe situation, all the scratches/etc. from using a soiled cover on a dirty car might be the lesser concern than the contamination....your call.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    329
    Post Thanks / Like
    Before I joined autopia, I used to cover my car whenever it was going to sit for more than two or three days.



    I used a carnuba wax weekly, so I probably couldn`t see the damage it was causing so easily, but found it too much of a pain to use. It was nice to provide protection, but things like the tire shine adhering to it and then transferring to the paint was really annoying.



    I would pass if you are becoming bothered with it, and try to find a storage unit or an empty spot in a friends garage.
    :soscared:

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Neenah, WI
    Posts
    1,258
    Post Thanks / Like
    The owner of a Porsche 911 put a cover on after I detailed and waxed it. Then when she took off the cover, manged to scratch it. So I say stay away from car covers.
    BespokeCarDetailing and AeroCleanse, LLC

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    86,975
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by AuAltima3.5
    ... things like the tire shine adhering to it and then transferring to the paint was really annoying..


    Yeah, I first started doing my "LSP-on-trim" regimen after ERV dressing transfer made a mess that way.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    7
    Post Thanks / Like
    When I used to part outdoors, the cats loved to use the cover as a scratching post! :yell:
    Bob

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    5
    Post Thanks / Like
    well i really dont think so...

  11. #11
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    The First Coast
    Posts
    13,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Got Detailing?
    When I used to part outdoors, the cats loved to use the cover as a scratching post! :yell:


    I had /have a Weathershield cover and back when I had to use it, one time there was a cat in the area and I`m pretty sure it climbed up on it but it looked like it slid right off because I saw about four paw marks on part of it and then all the sudden the marks looked like slide marks going down the car. The car was fine and I`m guessing the cat had a rather interesting experience.
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    5
    Post Thanks / Like
    Depends on the cover. He should get a good-quality one made specifically for outdoor use. Most important thing is that the cover is breathable. If it is

    the cheapy it sounds like then I would remove it after any rain or dampness and let both the car and the cover dry thoroughly before replacing it.

 

 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Help, detailer did more harm than good!
    By bluec in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 03-12-2009, 10:50 PM
  2. A good car cover, where 2 get?
    By Asonyexec in forum Car Covers
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-16-2006, 09:06 AM
  3. Foam Gun causing more harm than good?
    By yfzcentral in forum Detailing Product Reviews
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-29-2005, 11:37 PM
  4. Looking for a good car cover
    By imported_Gary in forum Car Covers
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-09-2002, 09:44 PM
  5. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-01-1970, 12:00 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •