My new cover leaks like crazy...

magilla · 03-21-2003, 03:00 AM

Last night was the first time I had the opportunity to try my new Mosom car cover. It was raining pretty lightly for a few hours, and I was happy to know the 'SC ws covered and safe. I went out at one point to check, and realized that there was all kinds of water leaking through the cover!

I looked again this morning, and the car is almost as wet as the uncovered cars on the street. Should I take the cover off and let all that water dry, or just leave the cover on?

WTF? Am I expecting too much of the cover? The whole reason I got this was so I could keep the car outside and not have the rust starting around the windshield from getting worse (too quickly). WTF? Did I just spend $130 on a POS?

agabriel · 03-21-2003, 04:00 AM

Hello,
I don't know to much about car covers - but I would def take it off so the car and the cover can dry..... If you have rust just starting its really to late to do things with just a car cover. You need to find a body guy that can at least repair the existing area. Once the car starts to rust it can only get worse, even if its put away. The problem is already under the paint designed to prevent/inhibit the rust from starting.

If I were you I would good body guy and get it fixed sooner rather than later. Also have him go looking for anything that might be coming through. If you get it checked it once a year you should stay in good shape.

Another note if the cars sitting outside. Any of those nooks and crannies that can't really dry out need grease. If you put a thick cote of grease in areas like where body work meet the frame, in the bottom of the door lip (imposible to fix short of replaceing door...) you should be able to avert major rust work in the future.

Short of having all the paint stripped and removing all of the body sheetmetal this is the best way to do it....

Good luck,
Anthony

Halm · 03-21-2003, 04:00 AM

Quote from Driveworks web page: "Mosom provides virtually waterproof protection even in the heaviest of downpours. Great for use in extreme weather conditions, this three layer material provides the ultimate protection from the elements."

I bought one of these last year also, but have not used it outside the garage yet. FWIW, my understanding is that you should remove the cover now and let the car dry. Also, the cover should only be put on a clean and dry car or else it may cause any dirt on the car to etch fine scratches.

agabriel · 03-21-2003, 04:01 AM

Actually I have a good body guy up in NH - he's retired and works out of his garage. If your interested I'll get you his number. He did a Mercedes for me that was incredible!

Anthony

magilla · 03-21-2003, 04:23 AM

Thanks,

I actually called a body guy this morning, and I can get it done toward the end of April/ early May. A little sooner than I wanted, but it has to be done.

I can definitely say that this cover is not "virtually waterproof".

I am not impressed, especially after the delays I had in even getting this cover made in delivered. I took over 8 weeks.

Jadams1 · Jadams1's Garage

Ali, you need a garage for that pristine SC. I have a cover for mine that the PO supplied with the car, it has a performance products logo on it. I'm not sure how it works in the rain because I keep my car covered in the garage and it stays really dry.

I wondering if the moisture on the car was due to condensation? The dewpoint temp of the air last night was pretty high so any surface that had a temp lower than the dewpoint temp will form condensation on it. Just a thought.

ps. I'm picking up the tail this afternoon. I'll post some pics when it's all put back togther.

magilla · 03-21-2003, 05:40 AM

Thanks,
I wouldn't call it pristine, but it sure is fun. Am I out of line in expecting more from the cover? There was a lot of water under there to simply be condensation.

reed930 · 03-21-2003, 05:46 AM

I don't care how covers are advertised, I just don't believe that any are truly waterproof. Awhile back I bought an expensive cover made with one of those patented Dupont fabrics for my Super Beetle. After one winter/spring the car looked worse than ever.

While the fabric itself may be waterproof, that doesn't take dew and condensation into account. I don't think it matters about "breathability" if it is cold and damp outside. The car will get and stay wet. My recommendation if you are keeping a car outside is to get it under some kind of carport where it is out of direct weather but not sealed.

magilla · 03-21-2003, 06:52 AM

I bought this particular cover because I got several responses from people on this board who have used it, and have said that their cars were bone dry. Only one person mentioned anything about condensation.
See this post:
Car Cover

makaio · 03-21-2003, 06:57 AM

I have the same cover and love it!

targa80 · targa80's Garage

If you have rust starting around the winshield then it is probably also in the windshield frame. Idid not have rust around my windshield that was visible. When I removed the windshield I found rust on the windshield frame where the rubber seal attaches to the frame edge. It was well hidden by the rubber seal.

kstylianos · 03-21-2003, 07:36 AM

Magilla,

I bought the best car cover Pepboys had to offer as the Targa was new to me and I wanted to keep it out of the rain until I had time to research a custom fitted cover. It actually has performed quite well. In the biggest downpores I'll find a small bit of condensation on the paint, not enough to seep into nooks/crannies to build up and cause rust. Its like a light dew settle in the summer. I don't know the manu. of the fabric, but would buy the same type fabric. if it was offered in a fitted cover. No covers are 100% waterproof and breathable, but if you found alot of water under you cover, make sure they packaged it right. Mabye you got different cover in a "mosom" box. These covers are supposed to be very good.

Some things I've learned about covers are:

1) None are waterproof, other than the nylon covers which can trap moisture underneath...bad. Breathable covers will let a little moisture through, but better than letting it sit directly in the rain. Breathable better than nylon.

2) Always wipe your car down prior to covering as the cover flaps in the wind, the dust/dirt can move between the cover and paint and cause small scratches.

3) Wash cover often if its used outside, following manuf. instructions. Big commercial washers work well, hang outside in the sun to dry. There is a bar right next to my local laundromat, 2 beers and the wash cycle is complete.

4) After a big rain, take cover off and wipe the condenstaion off the car (even if its 'breathable') as it could leave water spots.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Magilla--
You might check to see if you in fact got a Mosom cover or (perhaps) a mistake was made and you didn't get what you had ordered.

While not 100% waterproof, I don't think your car should have been as wet as you described. I have a Mosom cockpit cover for my Targa (covers all the glass area front to back) and it kept the interior bone dry while fending off 2+ hours of pretty steady rain until my wife could arrive with the Targa top.

magilla · 03-21-2003, 09:17 AM

Pat- Thanks, I am trying to get the whole area cleaned up and repainted, but it looks like it will be a few more weeks before they can fit me in,

Charlie- I will remove and let it dry when I get home. I am not worried about water spots, sonce I will wash it this weekend, but the standing water is what scares me. I guess I won't be able to leave this cover on all next winter, as I had originally planned.

billwagnon · 03-21-2003, 10:40 AM

I use a semi-waterproof cover for regular days, when it rains I put on a plastic tarp.

Rain goes away, I take off the plastic tarp.

morstad · 03-21-2003, 11:37 AM

I also bought a "Water Resistant" piece of crap that leaks like its not even on. What are your thought on getting a couple cans of that waterproofing spray and giving her a quick coat? Or would I take away from the breathablity of the cover. Thanks

masraum · 03-21-2003, 11:57 AM

I have a Mosom, and while it was a waste of money because I never use it, when I first got it I used it some, and it is nearly waterproof. Only in the worst rain that lasts for many hours do I ever find water, and then only in small amounts, not to mention the thing fits like a condom.

magilla · 03-21-2003, 02:54 PM

I have no problem with the fit. It does fit very well. I see the points about keeping the car clean so the cover doesn't work like sandpaper, but this think won't move much.

Specifically, I looked under the cover by the A pillar. There was a 10 inch wide flow of water and similar runoff on the hood. When I took the cover off, the cover was wet in spots and there were large areas of the car that were wet.

I got an estimate to get the windshield frame fixed and repainted. Does $750 to $1000 sound right?

magilla · 03-22-2003, 04:32 AM

Can someone please comment on the body work estimate? I can't get a feel for how much this should cost.

Thanks!

brawlins · 03-22-2003, 05:06 AM

My parents runined a 1966 Buick Wildcat (with only 29k original miles) by trying to keep it covered outside. Rust started at the windows and slowly ate away the car.
Sorry if this sounds snobby - But Porsche's should only be sitting in garages. My 2000 Jeep sits outside, but my 1982 Porsche sits in the garage (with a soft cover, by the way, to keep the kids from scratching it).