Topic: Are car covers OK for the paint?

[si]

I read a warning on one cheaper car cover that since they're water resistant and not water proof, some moisture that gets underneath the cover may cause your paint/clearcoat to cloud.  It suggests removing the cover and letting everything dry ever 30 days.

Is it okay to leave a cover on a car for a year?  Canadian Tire has some more expensive, higher quality ones . . .

[rrocket]

It should be the highest quality one you can buy.  And should fit super snug.  I've seen more damage to the paint from car covers flapping in the wind than from water damage...

[si]

The question begs asking whether it might just be better to give the car a healthy coat of wax and leave it exposed with a sun shade under the windshield.... ?

[rrocket]

One of those tent/awning things cost about the same as a good car cover.  Get one of those.

[Turbo Bob]

Unless it's ultra clean, it will scratch it.

[si]

One of those tent/awning things cost about the same as a good car cover.  Get one of those.

That's a good idea, but I looked into it and it seems like there's a decent risk of it collapsing onto the car in one of our common wind storms

[rrocket]

Hmmm..I supposed if you have it anchored down...with some guy (spelling?) wires...

[ktm525]

I have seen some realugliness from car covers. Some people even cover their summer cars when stored in a garage. I just wax mine, park inside, let 6 months of dust settle on the paint and give her a good wash in the spring. I like the portable car port tent idea.

Best solution is to buy a bigger garage.

[wing]

I cover my car in the garage, it avoids stupid mishaps from things dropping on it or the garbage can tapping it on the way by.

[ktm525]

I cover my car in the garage, it avoids stupid mishaps from things dropping on it or the garbage can tapping it on the way by.

I guess if dust/dirt is at a minimum then thee shouldn't be too many scratchys under the cover. My buddy used a cover in the garage then his wife started stacking  stuff on the hood during the winter.

[The Mighty Duck]

Park it and leave it.  Take the $200+ you save not buying a car cover to take it to a good detailer when you get home, and it will look better when s/he's done then when you parked it.

[GTOJack67]

I cover my car in the Garage. The Jeep... well that's another story! 

As for what type... snug is important, because as rrocket said damage from flapping can be far worse than from moisture. When using a snug cover it has to be a breathable material. The moisture that often forms under a cover isn't from water getting through, it's condensation on the inside that can't get out!

However, I'd only use a cover if you really need to. For example, if the car is parked under a tree where you'll get sap and/or bird poo, then yeah, I'd cover it. But if it's just exposed to rain and some dust, then as long as you've got a good application of wax, and some sun screens from keeping the inside from fading and over heating, then no need for a cover.

[vicali]

I had a cover on my previous jetta for the winter in edmonton,
it was too lightweight and flapped and scratched up the paint pretty good 
I've seen the heavier ones work really well though.
give it a good wax before it goes under.

[Schmengie]

One of those tent/awning things cost about the same as a good car cover.  Get one of those.

That's a good idea, but I looked into it and it seems like there's a decent risk of it collapsing onto the car in one of our common wind storms

My lot isn't big enough for a garage, so I park under a 'tent/awning thing' large enough for 2 vehicles  (20'X20'). I anchored it by setting the uprights in concrete-filled buckets and burying them about 2'. It's survived a few serious windstorms, including one that blew down a 40' pine tree across the street. It gives me a nice shady parking place in the summer and keeps the car out of rain and snow. Best 200 bucks I ever spent.

[barrie1]

If the car is going to sit outside then Rrocket is quite right in that they can and possibly will be damaged by the wind blowing on it. The cover can wear thru the edges of the paint by vibrating. I would suggest just leave it be for outdoor parking. Indoor parking  they are fine and look for at least a grade 3-5 cover which will do the job nicely. I have a grade 5 for my truck but its indoors all winter and out of the wind.