To Cover or Not to Cover

Highfield · 09-27-2006, 02:31 PM

OK, so I have sold the Covercraft Cover from my 3.2 as it doesn't fit my new 1973.

I have been guided to not using a cover at all, but to simply keep it well waxed as the car is kept outside.

I have also been told that Tyvek covers are good and more competitively (i.e. cheaper) priced that those aimed at Porsche specifically.

Thoughts on whether I should cover or not, and if I should, which to go for ?

911pcars · 06:34 PM

I suggest using a cover, but only over a clean, waxed surface. Remove after it rains to avoid mold. Remove if it's windy.

A naked car is open to all manner of droppings from environmental (tree sap, bird *****, bug juice, hard water deposits) and man-made sources (acid rain, rail dust, UV rays). Other than that, it's okay to expose it.

Use a car cover with a soft nap on the underside. I'm not sure Tyvek is better used to wrap a house than protect Porsche paint.

Sherwood

Correction: UV rays are environmental, not man-made unless DOD has a new WMD.

Rick V · 09-27-2006, 04:10 PM

Cover the car. Follow Sherwoods advice.......all good. A cover will also help to keep the inside protected from the sun. Dash cracks suck! Mine lives in a garage but when I drive her to work I cover her up.

wcc · 09-27-2006, 04:45 PM

If you cover it up make sure the cover is tight and doesn't flap around in the wind. Otherwise you'll have some paintless spots when you uncover it.

A better option would be to rent a space or find a friend or family member that would let you park it inside for the winter. Yes it costs money but you won't have insurance on it except storage insurance so it shouldn't cost too much. Just an idea.

GeorgeM · GeorgeM's Garage

I have Tyvek covers and like them. After a short while, they get pretty soft. For the first half a dozen times you remove it, if you crumple it up rather than folding, it'll get softer more quickly.

I use them more inside than out though.

masraum · 09-28-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wcc
If you cover it up make sure the cover is tight and doesn't flap around in the wind.

Which is why you would buy one made for your car. The one that I had for my '88 fit like a condom and the 3 or 4 times that I used it didn't flap in the wind. But it was a pain in the butt to use all the darn time on a daily driver, so I eventually sold the thing.

randywebb · 09-28-2006, 01:14 PM

In the UK, your problem is that you are going to be removing the cover all the time b/c of the frequent rain. Can you erect a temporary shed? Here, we have ones made of nylon stretched over a frame of Al tubes. They are like a small garage. They comply with building codes of most US cities, even rel. stringent ones. They aren't real pretty but you hire some fabric artists...

------------------------------------------
The greatly increased amount of UV we get these days is indeed anthropogenic -- i.e. "man-made." The atmosphereic "filter" that keeps the sun's UV out has been degraded by pollutants, although it is coming back b/c of some treaties & laws a few years ago.

Highfield · 08:31 AM

Well I am going to give the Tyvek Cover a go.

Bought it and got it on the car tonight - fits quite well, and with the tie down elastics it should fit even better when I get those attached.

I am pretty practised at removing the covers after our rain etc. so that isn't really a problem to me.

I will let you know how I get on.

Update 7/10/06 - very pleased with the cover - looks like a Zeppelin or roasting bag, but does the job I want it for.

Highfield · 10-07-2006, 09:09 AM

Well here is what it looks like :-

spikej40m · 10-07-2006, 02:14 PM

LOOKS LIKE IT FITS---WHAT WAS THE PRICE?

Highfield · 10-07-2006, 02:45 PM

I bought it in the UK from Halfords - about $110 US equivalent.

CharlesJones · 10-07-2006, 02:52 PM

Hi Ian,

I'm thinking about buying a cover for my car, because I no longer have a garage, and I hate to think of my car parked outside exposed to all the elements. I'm still wondering what cover to buy though, but like the idea of Tyvek because you can buy them from Halfords. Do you use the cover to protect your car from rain and dew etc, or just from the likes of bird droppings? I've heard the Tyvek ones are breathable, but do you find everything dries out okay between rainfall? Also, which size of cover did you buy? I hear they do them in small, medium and large.

Thanks for your advice.

Palum6o · Palum6o's Garage

I've have both tyvek and more recently bought a coverking, the coverking material is good quality and the cover fits nicely (cotton). It breathes well so you don' t have to worry about moisture getting trapped under it. The material actually keeps the car pretty dry and clean (and it looks good covered). Tyvek will eventually allow water through, you'll eventually see dirt accumulate under it too, not sure where it comes from but there is a lot of dirt in the air, and rain just collects all of it on the fabric. Tyvec is really only good to keep the dust off when storing inside. (IMO)

Highfield · 10-08-2006, 01:23 AM

Charles,

I have had two Covercraft covers for my cars but they are expensive at £230. They fit really well (custom fit).

The Tyvek is too new to comment on much, but it keeps the car dry, but it will get through if the rain is heavy, but it soon air dries.

The car may get dirt through over time, but you can wash the covers.

CharlesJones · 10-08-2006, 04:38 AM

Thanks Ian - that's very helpful to know. Yeah, £230 is a bit steep, although I guess it would probably be worth it for a long term solution to parking outdoors. I reckon I'll probably give the Tyvek a go though - the price is better and it must be useful being able to fling it in the washing machine.

Thanks again.