Outdoor car cover

[flyenby]

Hi just restored my 1990 Chevy Shortbed..I am looking for advice on a form fitted cover..I rather not spend big bucks, since it is outside.....Thanks in advance

[petrolhead611]

You should buy a cover tailored for your specific truck model. The fabric should be UV protected, waterproof and properly breathable with a non-scratch inner layer. If the truck has no hardtop or tonneau cover then it should have widthwise sleeves across the truckbed containing stiffening sleeves.Reputable manufacturers should have the performance figures: no figures, no sale is my advice. We have been making such covers for 35 years and export all over the world except to the US and Canada.

[Laneco]

Though it may seem contrary, if you have just restored the vehicle (new paint, etc) and are storing it outside, then you need to buy a VERY good quality car cover. Not the cheap ones.

California Car Cover makes nicely fitted covers. We've bought several through the years for the 550 replica, the slantnose turbo-body, an SC and the 72 Blazer (which was custom cut for no bumpers). Fabulous quality and fit with no paint damage.

Spend $400 now and save the $5,000 paint job.

angela

[flyenby]

Thank you. Sounds like good advice

[Por_sha911]

All of the above plus, make sure it is properly secured. Wind blowing a cover around will cause scratch or dulling issues with the paint. Personally, I don't care for covers outside since the moisture trapped between the cover and the porous paint will also cause issues over time.

[speeder]

I second Angela on the California covers brand. I have one on the Evo a it's absolutely custom tailored to the car/rear wing, etc. It even has a sock thing for the roof antenna that looks quite funny because the antenna is not on the car.

[John Rogers]

For over the 10 years my 914-6 race car sat outside I used double covers. The inside one was a very good breathable one and the outer one was a cheap one from Pep Boys. The very cheap ones keep the sun off the good one! It did not matter how good a cover you get, in Southern CA or Az, the sun will eat it in a couple years. I had one of the first ones CA Car Covers made for a Mini Cooper S in the early 2000s and it was their best one.....lasted about 2 1/2 years and started to pull apart at the seams. So I tried repairing it and the fabric tore.

[bkreigsr]

If you get the 'Noah' cover from California CC, expect only 3-4 yrs service if used 100% outside in semi-severe winters.
Seal Beach, however might be different?
Bill K

[group911@aol.co]

I've been using the double cover method- inside or out.
Inside, I use the super soft ones covered by the silver factory cover that keeps the dust and moisture off the inside one. The problem is that without the barrier block from the outer, fine dirt particles leach down through the cover and they are a pain to get dirt free once that happens.
Outside, the cars aren't as nice so I use a soft enough one and then I go get the used outdoor billboard vinyls they sell at the flea market to cover over it.
Completely waterproof and dirt proof and last for years. Make sure to secure them in several places to keep from flapping in the wind.

[petrolhead611]

A good cover should come with the securing straps ready fitted.We offer the option of 4 wheelstraps or two underbelly straps. Covering a breathable cover with a non-breathable one defeats the object of having a breathable cover incidentally. So what if your $400 high quality cover only last 2-3 years in California sunshine. :it will have saved you much more than that in sun-damage to the paint and plastics.

[astrochex]

Bumping from the dead.

Getting the Cayman means the MINI will be outside.

Anyone have newer experience with outdoor car covers? Sun, rain, and wind are the only elements I am concerned with.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Bumping from the dead.

Getting the Cayman means the MINI will be outside.

Anyone have newer experience with outdoor car covers? Sun, rain, and wind are the only elements I am concerned with.

Should we call you "Botman" now? LOL! Bumping ancient threads!

For one of my old cars (911 I think), I had a Coverking Mosom cover. It was very nice and did a good job for Sun and rain and stuff (leaves, etc...).

You can get them from PP or any number of other sources.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speeder

I second Angela on the California covers brand. I have one on the Evo a it's absolutely custom tailored to the car/rear wing, etc. It even has a sock thing for the roof antenna that looks quite funny because the antenna is not on the car.

Just bought a Cal Cover. First one got sent back because they missed the model so badly the mirror pockets were up on the front fenders (PU truck) and the 2nd one is too tight when I pull down at the back of the cab. It's not length, it's the width. I had to order a repair kit preemptive because it's going to tear. CCC does not make their covers in house. I can't say for sure who they use but a few years ago it was the big cover company that Pelican uses.

Just buy the cover from Pelican. They have the same warrantee and great CS. If you try to get back in touch with CCC, YMMV. They used to have the worst rep. My recent experience was not bad. But, they way things went and the delay strongly suggested they are getting covers from another company.

The mid grade outside gray weave is a good choice but it comes stiff as hell new. To wash it I need to take it to the laundromat which is a hassle for me. It can be washed on the vehicle but what is the cleaning agent going to do to your paint? I would cover the car with plastic first and wash away.

Maybe don't use a dryer at a laundromat as they tend to be real hot. Hope this helps.

[ErrorMargin]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Anyone have newer experience with outdoor car covers? Sun, rain, and wind are the only elements I am concerned with.

I put a seal skin elite on my race car 2 years ago. It is stored outdoors.

The cover has faded, but it is intact and shows no sign of failing.

[John Rogers]

Well it looks like you get to deal with the CA sun and I had the same issue with my 914-6 race car. So I go an expensive water proof cover that fit the car very well. Then I bought the cheapest one at Pep Boys and the CA sun ate it up in less than a year, trashed the cheap one and bought another to go on top of the water proof heavy duty one. Did that for 8 or 9 years I think.
John Rogers

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by ErrorMargin

I put a seal skin elite on my race car 2 years ago. It is stored outdoors.

The cover has faded, but it is intact and shows no sign of failing.

I like the Seal Skin options. Their prices are very reasonable too.

[Noah930]

Took a look at the CCC website. Apparently their covers aren't waterproof, but rather kinda sorta temporarily water resistant. Which is a shame for a supposedly outdoor rated cover that costs $400-600. They no longer sell the Noah cover that was so well regarded in the past.

Anyone ever use one of the Seal Skins?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Took a look at the CCC website. Apparently their covers aren't waterproof, but rather kinda sorta temporarily water resistant. Which is a shame for a supposedly outdoor rated cover that costs $400-600. They no longer sell the Noah cover that was so well regarded in the past.

Anyone ever use one of the Seal Skins?

That seems crazy, to pay that for something that's not waterproof.

Coverking makes good products in varying levels of protection, and I think they are available through PP.