Car Covers

Well, after a long, wet summer, I've finally taken my exxy back to its garage which is around 12 miles from where I live. Over the summer, for convenience I've had it stored on my driveway under a cover that I paid around £140 for.

I bought the cover on the assumption that it would protect the car from rain, however this was not the case and I've had flooded footwells and electrical misbehaviour ever since. (I think the cause is a leaky windscreen seal, but it's a nightmare to trace).

I've just had a friendly conversation with the supplier and he says that none of their covers claim to be waterproof, even though I don't feel this is clear on their website. He stated that no breathable cover can be waterproof.

I'm therefore stumped what to do next summer. Do I put up with a 12 mile drive to my beloved exxy every time I fancy a spin, do I buy a non-breathable 100% waterproof cover that could do more harm than good, or do waterproof, breathable covers exist out there?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Ive been using a Tyvek car cover (small size which fits a treat) from Halfords that cost me £40 for the past couple of years - its completely waterproof and I simply keep my eye on the weather forecast and whenever the forecast is dry for a few days I take the cover off and leave it off so the car can air nicely. I also keep one of those containers filled with dehumidfying crystals inside the car for extra peace of mind!

I bought a cover a year ago and the UV has killed it. If I remember it was called monsoon from Coverzone and cost well over £100. Even before it disintegrated the foot wells were full of water. Not recomended so I'm in the same boat (no pun). At the mo I've covered the car with a £5 tarpaulin. At least it's waterproof.

The pro's and the con's.

The trouble with a water proof cover is that it allows humidity to build under the car that just will not leave. Using a tarp will cause this, tarps are strong but tend to wear away the paint from the edges of where they rest on the car. The wind will see to that.

Beathable covers allow the car to dry and don't wear away the paint, but allow the car to at times fill up with water.

Personally if I were to store a car outside, I would cover it with a soft cover that breaths, then support and cover it with a tarp to keep out the rain and allow air to circulate between the soft cover and the tarp. Not ideal, but it is better than investing in a garage and new paint job sooner than latter.

TonyK.

Breathable covers are the same, the car sweats and moisture builds up within the front boot to an unbelievable amount. Only way to store a car in this fashion is something like the Carcoon which I purchased in 1997. Car has been in it ever since with no problems. 2 fans run off 12v pwr supply so less than a tenner to run all year. If you're going to the NEC classic car show, Carcoon should be there.

www.carcoon.co.uk

Thanks for all the great advice. Looks like I've got a few options for when the car comes out of the garage next year.

Just bought one of the Tyvek covers from Halfords. Jim your right it's a great fit better than the custom one I had. First impressions V.G. update in a few months.

Do you not get any bad weather in Aberdeen any more ? would of liked a report on Monday IE cover blew away ......

A wee while since on the forum. The Monday your on about was very windy. The cover coped with it thou no probs. I'm still impressed with it.

Obviously you boys and girls arent regular Lidl shoppers, they had car covers for £7.99 a couple of weeks ago! Bargain!

Been using it inside to keep the dust off the X and also outside when she gets kicked out the garage to make room for 'other car' repairs

Looks identical to the £20 jobbies from Halfrauds

Regards,
Iain - Motoring on a shoestring...

I too got a cover from Lidl - what a bargain at £7.99! Its a perfect fit and can even be tucked away back into its pouch when not in use, the qaulity looks pretty good too. I use mine inside and out.
You need to keep an eye out for these bargain covers as they have week long promotions throughout the year on motoring items and tools etc - some products are a bit rough though!
Chris.

Thanks for all the advice last year.

I'm on the verge of making my cover purchase now that I'm about to fetch the exxy out of its winter home. I was just wondering whethere there was any more advice out there. A few of you recommended the Halfords Tyvek covers but having looked at the Halfords website these are advertised as breathable which implies they are not 100% waterproof. What are people's experiences? I can't afford to let any water in as the car leaks water into the fusebox and footwells, although I've no idea how!

Also, I've noticed "Cover Your Car" are advertising a brand new "Stormforce" material that is supposed to be breathable and waterproof - a world first. I'm tempted to give it a go as the price isn't unreasonable at around £135. Has anyone tried them?

Hi Neil,

For the price I think the tyvek cover is brill. It's been great over the winter. the only mod I made is a band from the rear wheels over the engine cover. This keeps it on planet earth . You don't want a waterproof cover as it will only contain moisture. The size of the Halfords one is such that the wind will get underneeth it and ventilate the car. I think this is much more important than weather tight. My last cover "monsoon from coverzone" just kept the car very wet. Just my thoughts and everyone has a different local climate but for the price can't fault it.

On the occasions I have had to leave my 1300 outside, or any other vehicle for that matter, I have used a `breathable' tailored cover, supplemented by a waterproof cover on top. The breathable layer prevents chaffing of the paintwork, some relief from condensation build up, and also some additional protection from minor damage.

I have tried a variety of waterproof over covers, none of which are resiliant to UV exposure, so have settled on an economy range from Argos that lasts around 9-12 months. It is a loose fitting, and allows for a good amount of air circulation. To prevent the cover `ballooning' and blowing away, I apply a rope (not too tightly) around the vehicle, across the lower front windscreen area, and under the car.

This has worked well for me, as long as the covers are removed regularly during prolonged damp periods, so that the vehicle can `air'.