Learn me: outdoor car covers

My racecar will have to be parked outside for a while. Who makes the best outdoor car cover?

I need to protect the paint from pollen, sap, rain, and bird poop. I'd also like to keep the vinyl graphics from fading in the summer sun.

In my experience, cheap car covers do more harm than good: often trapping dirt and scratching paint. What's the best brand/type for outdoor use?

I have tried two different up-market, made-to-fit car covers. Each had soft interior material and a snug fit on the car.

I kept the inside of each scrupulously clean.

I never put the cover on the car unless the car was clean and I had wiped it with a California Duster to remove any fine particles that might be abrasive.

In both cases over a period of a few months, moderate wind action on the cover was sufficient to abrade the clear coat and a portion of the color coat off selected high spots on the chassis (center hood seam, for example).

Now I just leave them exposed to the elements. The paint holds up fine for years here in Virginia. I don't know anything about vinyl decorations, though.

Outdoor car covers are the same as indoor car covers, except that they come with a cruel marketing lie.

The "quilted" ones (such as Covercraft Noah) are basically just big sheets of paper. They'll degrade after about two years in the mild Canadian sun. You'll know that's happening when the car gets all dusty. They may work inside.

I'm a big fan of Weathershield material from Covercraft. No padding, so nothing to grab grit. No signs of abrasion that I've ever seen. They last for years and years - I have yet to have one fail. They're also not very bulky when it comes time to roll them up.

+1 for the Weathershield line from Covercraft. I've been using them for years in my carport and they hold up very well. They are also an advertiser in GRM and CMS.

http://www.covercraft.com

Saran wrap throughly and rattle can the saran wrap to provide UV protection. Cheaper and more effective then a high end cover if it's a one time extended stay outside

captdownshift wrote: Saran wrap throughly and rattle can the saran wrap to provide UV protection. Cheaper and more effective then a high end cover if it's a one time extended stay outside

Would a heat shrink boat wrap work, too, do you think?

In reply to alfadriver:

That could and it's an excuse to play with a giant propane torch.

Squirrels and mice love to eat them, and leave claw marks in the paint.
Cheap, Expensive, all of them have been a waste of time for us.

If it's long term storage, boat wrap may be a very good option.

If you need to use it regularly, I'd invest in one of those car awnings instead.

whatever you do stay away from wolf car covers dad had one for a mazdaspeed and it did nothing but get holes in it

I use a Covercraft Weathershield on my Z4 which stays outside. The cover fits tight and well enough that the wind has not caused any paint abrasion and does keep the car clean. I do get a bit of rain water through the cloth but that is what allows the cover to breath and not cook the paint. The car is black so any paint issues would show up easily.

I live on the Alabama Gulf Coast so we get frequent rain and the sun is really hot with no shade on my driveway. Summer afternoon temperatures average in the high 80's to mid 90's so I think the cover adds some protection from the UV rays. The first cover lasted 3 years with frequent washing using Simply Green on the Gentle Cycle of our washing machine.

During a washing the seams came loose and the clothe started to come apart. I was ready to just buy a new cover but called Covercraft. They sent me a return authoration and within a week sent me a new cover under warranty next day air no less. I would certainly recommend them as a company and the Weathershield Cover. Because it fit well it is easy to put on and take off and shove into its bag. Like others have said its important to keep the car and cover clean when using.