Vehicle Covers

[Petrol-Head]

Like many other people I bought a house built in the late 70's with a garage that could fit a Mini into it and "half-open" the drivers door if you skim the n/s wall..
Garage space is therefore a joke and I can't afford another property.

So my car will probably have to sit out side unless I leave it 20 miles away at the in-laws place.
I'm Looking at an outdoor cover to put on it potentially. What cover is best? Any recommendations?

 

[Rotorhead500]

I'm not a big fan personally. Attempted to use one once, to protect a convertible roof from the elements during winter - I spent more time retrieving it from the other end of the garden.

My fear with them is that unless both cover and car are squeaky clean, you end up fine-sanding the paintwork.

There is also a train of thought that says the car is healthier left uncovered, as it gets the chance to dry out, whereas covers trap moisture.

 

[Petrol-Head]

I'm not a big fan personally. Attempted to use one once, to protect a convertible roof from the elements during winter - I spent more time retrieving it from the other end of the garden.

My fear with them is that unless both cover and car are squeaky clean, you end up fine-sanding the paintwork.

There is also a train of thought that says the car is healthier left uncovered, as it gets the chance to dry out, whereas covers trap moisture.

Good point.... Thanks

 

[John Laidlaw]

I had this https://www.stormcarcovers.co.uk/co...oon-car-covers-for-mercedes?variant=974633768
For my SL, waterproof (ish), breathable and fairly soft. The fit was fairly good but you had to tie it down securely (added and additional underbody strap).
My SL had been ceramic coated so the protection was quite robust and I never had any scoring problems.
As Rotorhead says though, you've got to be very careful. My SL wasn't a daily at the time so it wasn't a hassle putting the cover on and off during the weekend (mostly parked in the week), not sure if I'd want to do it daily though.

 

[daveenty]

Personally, and I stress that word, I think that covers are fine in a controlled environment. By controlled I mean indoors, ideally in a heated and ventilated area, though I appreciate that this doesn't really suit your application.

I would agree with @Rotorhead500 that a cover used outdoors, especially on a daily basis, would tend to do more harm than good, even the smallest particle of grit being dragged over a bonnet by a cover will have devastating effects. Also agree with the fact that they can trap moisture, encouraging corrosion whereas a car left open to the elements benefits from "air drying".

Have you any space to erect a "lean to" which could technically double as a car port? I did this a few years ago and although it doesn't keep all the bad stuff off the car, it does tend to protect it from the majority of snow and rain.

 

[Petrol-Head]

Thanks for the advice guys. The CLK is not for daily use as I have a new car for that.
I can't build a "lean-too" as my garage is attached to the neighbours so no space for it.

I have messaged a local group to see if anyone has storage space locally. Otherwise it might have to go to the parents in-laws as they have a huge garage. Problem with that is its 20 miles away and I want to jump in it when I feel the urge!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Thanks for the advice guys. The CLK is not for daily use as I have a new car for that.
I can't build a "lean-too" as my garage is attached to the neighbours so no space for it.

I have messaged a local group to see if anyone has storage space locally. Otherwise it might have to go to the parents in-laws as they have a huge garage. Problem with that is its 20 miles away and I want to jump in it when I feel the urge!

Take you 10 minutes to get the cover on ,and the same off, there's your answer!

 

[Petrol-Head]

Take you 10 minutes to get the cover on ,and the same off, there's your answer!

Yep...

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I use one after my garage was taken over buy the war depot [wife] Used my fully fitted water proof cover 4 years counting this year .Not a problem if you caver the car with thermal sheets like i do before putting it on the car .I do this as a safe guard,, but the covers are scratch proof inside .Only tie it down in winds .

 

[DREAMER NO2]

By the way you need a fully waterproof cover,, and use it from October, till March . Breathable covers are not fully waterproof What ever you choose , do get a fitted cover with pockets on themto cover the mirrors .without these the cover will lift up exposing more of the bottom of your car . I can give you more info on the make i have if you are interested .I need to dig it out,, so only if you want one ..

 

[Petrol-Head]

I use one after my garage was taken over buy the war depot [wife] Used my fully fitted water proof cover 4 years counting this year .Not a problem if you caver the car with thermal sheets like i do before putting it on the car .I do this as a safe guard,, but the covers are scratch proof inside .Only tie it down in winds .

Thanks Dreamer. I liked the "War Depot" reference!
I call mine "The Long Haired General"

 

[flowrider]

Lots of talk about car covers on the forum, a quick search came up with.....

Guide to car covers

Car Cover Guide - for those who love their cars... To The CarCoverShop.co.uk Guide How to select the correct car cover... At this time of year, many people start to look into car covers, but realise it’s a complex world, full of amazing claims for some covers, and wildly varying prices...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[Petrol-Head]

Lots of talk about car covers on the forum, a quick search came up with.....

Guide to car covers

Car Cover Guide - for those who love their cars... To The CarCoverShop.co.uk Guide How to select the correct car cover... At this time of year, many people start to look into car covers, but realise it’s a complex world, full of amazing claims for some covers, and wildly varying prices...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

Thank you Flowrider. I guess I should have "searched" first.

 

[philreed52]

I work for caravan company and we use Specialised Covers . They also make covers for Rolls Royce etc .
Not cheap but quality good.
Some pointers though vehicles are designed to be outside and a good polish helps keep crud from sticking .
A cover , regardless of claims, may cause abrasion on paintwork if not scrupulously clean . it would be like polishing car with gritty cloth. A caravan could be stored for weeks on end, if car is used regularly I would be nervous of scratching paint with constant putting on and off . Personally I recomend covers for caravans if parked where excess tree sap or bird poo and if close to busy road and gets traffic dirt . If you are lucky enough to have a nice car and garage a cover is great to keep dust off and I suspect that specialised covers sells most of their Rolls Royce ones for that .
.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Morethanpolish]

Supply of high quality car covers to discerning owners of nice cars has been a mainstay of my business since 2003. Check us out here:

Mercedes Car Covers for indoor & outdoor protection

Wherever you keep your Mercedes you need to protect it from knocks, scrapes, dust, damp, birds and the elements. If you've invested time and money in making your car look its best, you want it to stay that way. We supply standardised fit or custom covers to suit every type

carcovershop.co.uk

A good quality, well fitting cover on a clean car is safe. It will protect from dirt, rain (leaky R129 anyone?), birds, scratches, impact and repeated washing. My neighbour has 3 of our Waterproof & Breathable covers on his CLK, SL and big V12 brute - you can see that one on our site. I walk past every day, often lift the cover when pouring down and its dry. The paint is flawless.

Any cover that has a dimple, golf-ball texture is not waterproof, despite some suppliers claiming they are. I'm afraid its a constant battle we have with unscrupulous companies and disappointed customers. Those covers are water resistant, to a point, but wont keep a car totally dry.

Happy to take messages on this of course

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Yes i weould never cover a car for a few days . I cover up in November before banger and flash night for those reasons .And uncover in March .I would never use the cover without body protection on the car before the cover .Mine looks the same when i remove the cover with no scratches .The thermal sheets i use are very good but cotton would be ample .Only use the thermal because we had a new set for the bed .Nrxt year i will purchase a fitted fleece indor car cover to put on the car so i can do away with the thermal sheets to make it quicker .

 

[Petrol-Head]

Supply of high quality car covers to discerning owners of nice cars has been a mainstay of my business since 2003. Check us out here:

Mercedes Car Covers for indoor & outdoor protection

Wherever you keep your Mercedes you need to protect it from knocks, scrapes, dust, damp, birds and the elements. If you've invested time and money in making your car look its best, you want it to stay that way. We supply standardised fit or custom covers to suit every type

carcovershop.co.uk

A good quality, well fitting cover on a clean car is safe. It will protect from dirt, rain (leaky R129 anyone?), birds, scratches, impact and repeated washing. My neighbour has 3 of our Waterproof & Breathable covers on his CLK, SL and big V12 brute - you can see that one on our site. I walk past every day, often lift the cover when pouring down and its dry. The paint is flawless.

Any cover that has a dimple, golf-ball texture is not waterproof, despite some suppliers claiming they are. I'm afraid its a constant battle we have with unscrupulous companies and disappointed customers. Those covers are water resistant, to a point, but wont keep a car totally dry.

Happy to take messages on this of course

I have saved your site as a favourite. Thank you.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Next time i buy another cover it will be the same as the one i have now .Service given , is worth another purchase .

 

[Morethanpolish]

Sorry but cotton sheets are not a good idea as cotton absorbs moisture, and under a totally waterproof (if not waterproof & breathable cover - a spray coated or vinyl coated cover) the cotton will trap moisture as it cannot breathe and possibly cause microblisters.

A breathable cover that is not totally waterproof would be better than that so at least the moisture can escape.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Well you know more about it than i do. and by the way its me that use this method no one said you have to do it this way . Cotton sheets will let it breath the car cover i have has 4 vents on the side two on the drivers side two on passengers side to let the air circulate .I check the car after the snow and is as dry as when i put the cover on . I only changed from cotton to thermal sheets because we had two new sets for the kingsize bed . And i will do this each year and i am happy .And the car shows no flaws in the paint . I polish it with wax polish a few weeks before i cover the car over . And anyway its better than it sitting out in all weathers ..It all depends on the cover purchased . I had one of the best i could find at £280 /