waterproof car cover?

[ramonesfreak]

can anyone recommend a 100% water proof car cover? ive been using a tarp when it rains..which is every day it seems. The tarp is a pain in the butt to tie down when windy etc...

I see Empire covers has some 911 fitted covers they say are 100% water proof for around $100. Any experience with them or other brands?

thanks

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd be curious to know too. And more importantly how long they actually stay waterproof before degrading.

[Laneco]

I've bought four covers from California Car Cover. Of the four, three were designed as water proof (one is a dust cover).

All three are water proof, do not scratch the surface of the cars, and have remained water proof. The oldest one is about 7 or 8 years old. I did have to have the stitching re-done on one of the seams this last winter. This one is an exclusive use outdoor cover. Still waterproof after all this time in the sun and rain.

Expect to pay more htan $100. Way more. But the fit, craftsmanship, and materials are without question worth the premium.

angela

[john70t]

I once bought a good one with the elastic crumple corners, but found it picked up road grit from the tires and rockers.

There are also inexpensive portable carports(tents) as a possible option.
These have to be secured/reinforced for high winds.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yes I have one (made by ShelterLogic) right now for extra parking capacity. They work well against rain/snow/bird poo but are quite ugly. As long as you use the corner point augers and get them into the ground a foot or so the things are pretty stable. No need for a concrete base or anything.

If you have one of them nazi HOAs you probably won't get away with it; if you don't and actually live somewhere where you don't have other people telling you what you can put on your own property, not an issue. YMMV. Mine cost about $200 and I got it fully erected in about 3 hours. I'll probably pick up a second for the boat until I can expand my garage... Ahh, the joys of too many ambitious projects...

[dentist90]

I've had a NOAH 4 layer cover for outdoor summer storage for years now. The custom fit is nice (mirror pockets, elastic hem= no tie down straps needed). However it is not waterproof. It is "water repellant" and breathable. So if you remove the cover the day after a rain there will be condensation all over the car, and the fabric will be heavier (mildew resistant though). As a matter of fact it rained last night so I tried to take a picture of the moisture on the car, but it doesn't show in the picture. I was a bit disappointed, but there aren't many custom car covers out there that are waterproof. I guess for long term storage it is important that air be able to circulate under/through the cover to allow moisture out (think what happens to paint under a bra) and that is not possible with a snug-fitting waterproof cover.
I've ordered a different cover for my Chrysler300, woven polyester as opposed to the Noah non-woven cover. We'll see if it's any more 'water repellant' than the Kimberly Clark (Noah) cover.

[R K T]

Originally Posted by Laneco

I've bought four covers from California Car Cover. Of the four, three were designed as water proof (one is a dust cover).

All three are water proof, do not scratch the surface of the cars, and have remained water proof. The oldest one is about 7 or 8 years old. I did have to have the stitching re-done on one of the seams this last winter. This one is an exclusive use outdoor cover. Still waterproof after all this time in the sun and rain.

Expect to pay more htan $100. Way more. But the fit, craftsmanship, and materials are without question worth the premium.

angela

Are you sure about them being waterPROOF? I think they are water-resistant.
Big difference!
I worked in the car cover business for years at Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories, one of my bosses there is the owner of Cal Car Cover Co.
You really don't want a 100% waterPROOF cover as it will trap moisture underneath the cover causing big problems with your paint. A cover needs to breathe and allow moisture to escape. It would be better for the car to let it sit out in the pouring rain UN-covered than to cover it with something waterproof.
I sold literally 1000s of covers over the years and I personally would not own one. Besides the moisture issue, if your car is the least little bit dusty/dirty and you drag a car cover over it, it's like using fine grit sandpaper.

Call Cal Car Cover Co and ask them if their covers are WaterProof or Water Resistant. Nowhere on their website does it say waterproof!

[dentist90]

^^ my experience as well. If there is a fine layer of dust the car it may look just fine when you cover it, but when the cover comes off after a rain the dust spots become visible as the pattern of the fabric. If the fabric is "breathable" to allow moisture out you know it will also allow moisture in. Maybe not actual drops of water, but vapour penetrates nonetheless. I use my cover for long-term summer storage of my winter car (weeks to months without removal) while the Porsche gets the garage. It does a good job keeping bird poop, sap, pollen, etc off the car, protects the interior from UV and heat and protects against hail and scratch damage. If you are trying to keep spots off the car from rain you really need to keep the rain from hitting the car: garage or carport. Waterproof tarp works, but you already know the downside to these.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by R K T

Are you sure about them being waterPROOF? I think they are water-resistant.
Big difference! .....
Call Cal Car Cover Co and ask them if their covers are WaterProof or Water Resistant. Nowhere on their website does it say waterproof!

I understand the sales/liability issues of saying your cover is "waterproof" as compared to the very nice safety net that "water repellant/resistant" offers. And that is exactly what it is. The California Car Cover which is (agreeing with you here) advertised as water repellent in the designs specific to outdoor use are for all intents and purposes WATER PROOF. You see if they advertise as water proof, then it better be like a wet suit where the interior item remains completely dry or they get sued. Water repellent/resistant gives a great deal of legal latitude.

I have an open car with no top whatsoever (the spyder) We've had to leave it out in the rain when traveling. Not unusual for the passenger area to "pool up" several GALLONS of water. Lift the cover in the center to dump the water on the ground, remove the cover not one drop, not one single drop on the interior. Yes, I spent over $300 for it, but this cover is worth every penny.

Some advertisers over rate their products. A good maker UNDER rates them. California Car Cover is a good company. Call them on the phone, tell them how you are storing the vehicle and they will help you choose the best cover.

By the way, I do have a "water repellent/resistant" car cover from another manufacturer. It is custom cut and was pretty expensive Noah fabric. The cover is soaking wet in the rain and dust travels through it. Should have spent a little more and bought the "water repellent/resistant" California Car Cover model. I would have been $$ ahead.

angela

[jyl]

The other problem with a car cover in the rain is that when you take it off, you have 20 lb of dripping fabric in your arms, both sides of which are now wet, that certainly can't go in the trunk but needs to be hung somewhere, which is either the garage (but why isn't your car in the garage?) or in the house (then you will be sleeping in the garage), plus which the interior of the car gets wet from your soaked clothes. It just doesn't work real well, I used a CCC weatherproof cover for years until I saw the light. Sure, if you are gonna park a topless convertible in the rain, then the dripping bundle is better than nothing.

[ramonesfreak]

thanks for the info

im simply looking for a cover that will keep tons of water from getting into the cracks, into the engine compartment or wherever water may pool and rust and cause problems

not looking for long-term storage as i drive the car often. i would never let the car sit for days with the moisture gathering under the cover. what i want is something i can put on at night or day during a heavy rain storm in the summer, that will keep 100% of the water out, like a tarp, but with the ease of an elastic cover. tying up a tarp every day is too much time and work and too bulky for the trunk....looking to use it as sort of a portable garage

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by jyl

The other problem with a car cover in the rain is that when you take it off, you have 20 lb of dripping fabric in your arms, both sides of which are now wet, that certainly can't go in the trunk but needs to be hung somewhere, which is either the garage (but why isn't your car in the garage?) or in the house (then you will be sleeping in the garage), plus which the interior of the car gets wet from your soaked clothes. It just doesn't work real well, I used a CCC weatherproof cover for years until I saw the light. Sure, if you are gonna park a topless convertible in the rain, then the dripping bundle is better than nothing.

roll up the cover and ring it out, or shake it good...then stuff it in a large duffel bag that goes in the trunk

[jyl]

Pretty hard to roll up, wring out, and stuff away a soaking piece of fabric 17' x 10' - single-handed - without getting soaked yourself, getting both sides of the thing wet (so much for keeping out 100% of the water), and dragging it on the ground. Then it mildews in the duffle bag, a big wet thing in your trunk. Get one, you'll soon see what I mean.

[ramonesfreak]

been dealing with a water resistant cover for a while now so i know.

when its dry outside, any cover should be hung to dry. no problem for me to do this. it would only be in the trunk, damp or wet, for a day at most

what i do not want to do, is allow my 911 to sit for 12 hours in a heavy rain.

i recently got a new window and oem rubber seal and now my window doesnt leak.

however, without the A/C condenser thing installed on the engine lid, water gets into my engine compartment through the grill and wherever else water wants to go. i need a fast and easy way to prevent this asap

[Laneco]

Do you mean immediatly like TODAY? A Hefty garbage bag is your TODAY friend. Open the lid (assuming no tail) put the leading edge under the portion nearest your window, lay the bag across the vent, the trailing edge of the bag under the rear, close the lid. This is not something you want to leave on the car but it will serve as a temporary umbrella for your engine bay in a pinch.

Of the covers I have, the one for the spyder is probably the best for your use. I forgot the material name (CCC again) but it is very thin and not designed for long term outdoor use. What it is designed for is occasional use outdoors especially in the rain. It's a very thin cover that is about the size of a loaf of bread when it's rolled up. Take it off, shake off the water and roll it up. Done.

angela