Car Cover

[yorkshirelass]

We have used both car and caravan covers from Specialised Accessories. They are made to measure and are completely waterproof and breathable. You can even wash the car and cover without leathering off without any damage to the car. Not cheap, but worth every penny. I know this is too late for /mcoles, but may be of interest to anyone else who is looking for a weatherproof cover.

Yorkshire Lass

[davew1949]

I bought a Monsoon from Cover-Zone earlier this year. I got 6 months out of it before it fell apart with sun damage (how can you get sun damage this year, there's been hardly any sun?). Rather dissapointing I must admit. Anyhow Graham of Concours Auto (the Cover Zone people I assume) was great. He explained that the Monsoon shouldn't really be used in the sun as it degrades, but he was happy to replaced it without a quibble. I upgraded to the Stormforce at a few extra quid as this is supposed to be better and although this fits really well, I'm not convinced it is totally waterproof. I have noticed the little cloth mirror gloves you get have been wringing wet after just a few days, and today I took the cover off a bit and the whole car was damp - in fact wetter than my other car that isn't under a cover! It's a bit worrying if the cover is actually holding wet against the car instead of doing the opposite. I know it's been pretty rainy lately and this morning was a bit misty, but surely that's why you get a cover isn't it? Not really sure what to do now.

[ASL642]

I'd check the seams of your cover Dave, as I have had my Stormforce (Coverzone) cover on Vikki for 6 weeks and have checked underneath regularly and she is completely dry. I don't use the mirror mits and they seem to attract condensation.

[bmcecosse]

My Monsoon worked fine for 3 months last summer - then put away over winter - and then used again this summer - and I realised it is ruined after about 3 months,on the surface that faces the sun. No mention in their 'blurb' of not using in sun - what are we to do - run out and take it off when sun shines - and just pop it on when the rain comes along ? So - that's two of us with failed Monsoons - at £100 I say it's not great value for the time I had it! Avoid avoid! I've re-arranged my garage and cars now - so I won't be needing a cover from now on. Not quite so convenient (one garage has a large Dublo layout - the Minor now sits underneath!) - but not wasting any more money on covers!

[davew1949]

I do wonder if it is actually condensation so I will test it out with some water. I don't think it can be the seams as the whole body surface and glass is wet, not just the seam area. I've also enclosed the mirror mits in a plastic bag so hopefully that will solve that little problem, but I'll post the resilts of my waterproofing "test" when completed.

[davew1949]

Well the Stormforce has been on my Mog all winter and seems to be coping pretty well. I have taken the precaution of covering up the cover with a tarp just to keep the sun off the Stormforce and hopefully stop any UV degradation - bit of a pain but better than forking out for a new cover every year.
Dave

[ASL642]

Agreed I think there is a significant difference between the Monsoon and the Stormforce covers, the latter seem more rugged.

I don't cover my car in the Summer (well April onwards as she's doing rallies) It there is a really wet forecast I use a lighter cover for a few days and remove it asap.

[NOEL]

I purchase one earlier this year, they do appear to work well, fit the loops as others have advised and also fit a padlock to try and prevent a theft ! I only used it in the winter period but was happy with it, just allow yourself an extra 5 minutes before you need to leave home, obviously a garage is better but if like me yours is too full they area great alternative

[ASL642]

So someone else like me 1 garage and 5 cars. By the time you've stowed all the tools, spraying equipment, engine crane etc there's simply no room for a car

[NOEL]

You are so right regaliaqueen ! The other thing is knowing you have that needed part or tool somewhere in the garage but finding it has become more of a challenge than doing the job. [frame][/frame]

[RussLCV]

Cover Zone are spot on and come highly recomended from me

H

[andygill]

Does anyone have any experience of the covers that look more like a tent.

I saw one on my travels last week. It looked like you could drive the car into it and had a zip at the end.

Thanks
Andy

[ASL642]

http://www.morethanpolish.com produce a cover you can drive into "touchless" to the car £329.00!

[davew1949]

In December 2009 I reported that I'd bought a Stormforce car cover as my previous one had disintegrated due to the sun. Thought I would post an update.

I first covered the cover with a tarp to keep the sun off it, but to be honest it was a real pain holding it down with bricks, so I bought a cheapo thin silver cover off e-bay for around £15. To be honest I was very impressed. It fits quite well and as an outer cover it does the trick - wouldn't want to use it as the only cover though. Anyway earlier this year I noticed the Stormforce was once again starting to disintegrate in some areas. However this isn't quite so important now that I have the outer cover on. And if the outer one goes then £15 isn't too hard on the wallet.
Looks like the answer is either get a garage or double up on the covers.
Dave

[bmcecosse]

I wish I had seen your comment about the Stormforce disintegrating in the sun - mine fell to bits after just a very few months of sunlight. To my mind it is 'not fit for purpose' - but the supplier dismisses it saying it's intended to keep rain etc off and not intended to be out in the sun. So for me - the Coverzone cover was a complete waste of money - and it wasn't inexpensive.

[chickenjohn]

Yes, I've also had a coverzone cover dis integrate this autumn, which is annoying as it was protecting my project car while I work on another. I've had to use tarpaulins now. Not good for good paintwork though, I imagine a tarp would scratch paint.

Covers are a waste of time except as a temporary measure when it rains etc... garaging is the answer.

[Boomlander]

Bought a " Stormforce " cover from coveryourcar.com for Jethro and was very pleased with the quality and perfect tailored fit.
We live right on the Southeast coast and the cover seems to be doing a very good job in protecting the car from the elements.
It is simple to fit, although a second pair of hands in windy weather is a great help ,and once strapped underneath is very secure and looks great. Buy with confidence!

[Peetee]

Thought I'd pass on my experiences with a convertible and cover. I bought a £40 'breathable' cover from a motor factors and was quite impressed. With the windows down a inch it did keep close to dry inside and out but there was a lot of fine dust getting through to the hood so I slipped a plastic sheet under too. Big mistake! that was enough to destroy the breathability and within a month or so the interior of the car was in a terrible state. Mould covered the tops of the seats and interior of the hood. The problem, I believe, was this: Whilst the cover itself is waterproof it's not tight all around the car, rain evaporates off the road surface up under the cover. The breathability was enough to deal with that until I added the plastic dust sheet after which the trapped moisture did what it could only do - wander into the open windows of the car and hang about causing trouble.
The plastic sheet idea has been abandoned and I regulary open up the car, start the engine and give a 10 minute blast with the (excellent) round lucas heater.

I would imagine the evaporation issue will affect the underside of vehicles too so fitting a cover will not necessarily protect the floorpans of parked vehicles from rot.