Weather proof covers

[TOMO28B]

Hi all, anyone recommend a top quality cover to completely cover the car. I have tried several as in Halfords ones,but when it's lashing down the cover clings to the car and to be honest the car is more wetter than the weather itself. I also tried a fabric type of cover even though that was better initially it left a dirty mark all over the car. I have seen ones available online,but I'm a bit dubious about them as the car is stored outside and I need something that can be put on/removed with ease. Any help chums

[Myrtles Man]

'Fraid you'll never find a car cover that's completely waterproof, despite the insistence of the manufacturers/sellers to the contrary. My own solution (and, unsurprisingly, it works) is to cover the whole car with a polythene sheet (available widely on ebay) before fitting the cover of choice over it. A word of warning however; lift the covering on a frequent basis and check what's going on underneath, especially so in wintertime as, no matter how waterproof the covering, condensation always forms on the bodywork which often remains colder than the ambient temperature, causing condensation to form (just like wot your fridge does) and the polythene does an efficient job of retaining the film of water on the tinware, hence the need to lift the covers, let it breathe and evaporate.

[myoldjalopy]

A lot of people have reported a 'bloom' or micro-blisters developing on the paintwork after using car covers, due to the reasons the previous poster mentions. Assuming the car does not actually leak water, you might be better off waxing the body thoroughly so the water beads off, and then the car dries off quickly once the rain stops.

[TOMO28B]

Cheers,I might make a Morris sized hole in the wall and park the car in the house,the missus wouldn't be happy though.

[alanworland]

My MK3 Cavalier lives outside and has survived 'under cover' for years. Yes it will get condensation from on it but I have never lifted it to dry off as it appears to dry off reasonably quickly.
I have used 'stormforce' covers which generally last 3/4 years when they will powder on the inside. I tried a Halfords one years ago which was a disaster and caused the bootlid to bloom, Halfords forked up for a resprayed boot lid although luckily it disappeared after a couple of months.

Alan

[Victorplum]

I have used a variety of covers for my traveller over the years. From cheap Halfords covers to the more expensive Stormforce covers. They were all next to useless. They also ripped very easily. I was about to give up, but then I tried one from Classic Additions three years ago. It’s called the ultimate outdoor cover. I’m very impressed with it. Waterproof and absolutely no condensation. And its material is slightly elastic, so doesn’t rip when it gets caught on something.
I’ve just bought a replacement after three years of daily use. And that’s only because it went green and slimy with algae as I was too lazy to keep it clean. It remained waterproof till the end. In fact the old one is now covering the patio table and chairs.

[exlkrs]

To be honest, never had a problem with the Halfords ones. They do what they're supposed to do and last a fair while too.

[AndyStopford]

I've used one of these on my Traveller for the last year or so - I reckon it'll last another season and it does a pretty good job - it does hang rather close to the ground though, so if you're parking on a muddy surface a lot of mud gets splashed onto the lower edge of it during heavy rain
https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/563719 ... er---small

[firedrake1942]

If you can afford it, a 'portable' garage or fold down garage are better than covers. Even better still is an out door Carcoon.