Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

I'm not usually much of a fan of car covers, the ones I've had before either keep no water out at all, or else sweat and damage the paintwork underneath.

Can anyone recommend a good outdoor cover that does none of the above, and actually keeps the car underneath dry and free from harm? Stormforce is one brand I find regularly, but any personal recommendations out there?

thanks, R
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4232 Location: South Cheshire

I think to achieve what you are after it will be an outdoor cocoon, either the ones that have the crystals in that require baking every so often, or the ones that have a constant flow of air pumped through them.

Stopping rain getting whilst encouraging condensation out is a challenge for any cover!

Dave

JohnDale · Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Rick,I tried one of the more expensive ones, five layers all of special material, each to do a different job. It was wetter on the inside than outside & after the third one was just the same I got my money back - you can't say I'm not a tryer,cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

The only time I've ever had any luck with covers are when I've used two, one on top of the other. Keeps the car pretty dry as the condensation mostly forms between the covers. A tip I got from this site if I remember rightly!
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Richard Hughes

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Yes as my big Peugeot van has no choice but to live outside, it has two covers, first a blue tarp, then a breathable caravan cover bought secondhand off ebay for £50 (cost much more new)

Here's one for sale like mine:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grey-Caravan-Winter-Cover-Breathable-/321384148240?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4ad3fced10

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

Avoid the cheap Poly type 'tarps' blue in colour. I used one on my rover for just a couple of weeks. When I took it off the silver birch roof was dyed blue in a few places. This proved a swine to remove resisting Tcut and rubbing compound. In the finish I had to sewat it out by ironing the roof with a very hot iron on a clean white cloth. It took a few days,the tarp went in the bin. I also bought a cheap car cover,cheap because I thought I'd only use it a few days. I put my fingers through the crap material putting it on,that went in the bin too.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

kevin2306 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:45 am Post subject:

I need a lightweight cover for my singer for when its in the garage, stops it getting too dusty
I have one that I use for the MX which is really light and made of a paper-like material..not actually paper obviously but similar. works well however.

watching the replies here with interest

Kev

JohnDale · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:46 am Post subject:

Hi, I have a lightweight indoor one to keep the dust off also. It's fine inside but wouldn't last 10mins outside & water just runs through like its not there.
Probably why it's an indoor cover,cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

kevin2306 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 12:28 pm Post subject:

thats what im looking for jd, great in a nice dry garage
the one on the mx works well

Kev

JohnDale · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 10:43 am Post subject:

Hi Kevin, the one I have is made by Car Covers 01933 410851. It came with a previous Zephyr I had & must be about 15 years old. It's just a shaped basic cover without a soft inner lining but as it's only used inside it doesn't get moved about by the wind. Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

Rootes75 · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 10:57 am Post subject:

We had to move our Minx out of storage recently, she has always had a cover even indoors. The only problem with the cover outside now is that in strong winds it just will not stay on.

In the end I made a metal frame larger than the car and bought a large high quality tarpaulin.

gresham flyer · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435

I have the Stormproof multi layered covers, they are ok short term and work well when we have short day`s of rain..

In the beginning of the year we had so much rain they had no chance to dry out naturally. This could cause a problem where they touch the car i.e. roof, bonnet and rear bootlid. sometimes white blooming can appear on the paintwork.

The best protection long term is a car port, canopy or good quality small marque like traders use at shows etc.
I have one set up 30 ft x 15ft. It is still going strong after ten years.
Do watch out for strong storms like we had earlier in the year, it will tear the fabric if loose ends or openings are not secured.

G.F
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Austin Devon.
Morris Minors.
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MG.
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4232 Location: South Cheshire

Rick

could you not put that big green transporter to use, and store a car Smile

Dave

V8 Nutter · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 601

Just before Christmas I bought a cover from Coveryourcar. It works very well. No real problems with condensation through the winter. We have had some really heavy thunderstorms this week and it has kept the rain out.