Outdoor car covers

Zequipe · Post by **Zequipe** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:45 pm

Hi Folks
I'm the OAP that bought E85 3.0 from J4YMO as a Christmas present to myself.
As a keen amateur mechanic and serial owner of many small sports cars , I was only browsing the forum and found myself buying one!
Bodywork and interior are almost perfect , so I've busied myself doing mechanical and underbody tidying.
So far I've replaced front to rear brake lines , rear transverse brake line , and both front brake lines.
I've also replaces all brake hoses , 2 on front and 4 on rear. A full service and new expansion tank completes the mechanicals.
I've cleaned , tidied and painted the underside where required. It's kept me off the streets these winter months , though I must admit at 68 it's getting harder to crawl about under cars!
Anyway....The real reason for this post is... When I'm not working on the Z I have to leave it parked outside. I remember seeing some where on the forum a couple of members recommending lightweight outdoor "half" rain covers. Does anyone have the names of the companies that these members used. I've tried a full cover from Halfords, but this just marked the paint.
Many thanks.

Anmarube · Post by **Anmarube** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:49 pm

I'm sure theirs one in the for sale section pal.

oldgitdave · Post by **oldgitdave** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:52 pm

I've heard these are pretty good. Not tried one myself though.

https://www.ukcustomcovers.com/custom-h ... half-cover

earthdweller · Post by **earthdweller** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:06 pm

If you search there’s a few threads on covers

But in short I have a stormforce cover fir when I leave it outside . It works fine and hasn’t marked the paint . Although some have had problems with full covers

It works well for me when it’s not in the garage

GAZA62 · Post by **GAZA62** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:44 pm

I did toy with the idea of a half cover when I was having problems with mildew on the roof but was put off by the thought of a warm and damp roof under a cover the mildew would be even worse add to that the straps like the one above go around the wing mirrors if the wind was to lift it the mirrors could get damaged as well as paint.

Zoomer · Post by **Zoomer** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:13 pm

My father in law had a half cover on a black Z4 and it marked the car as he put it on the car whilst it was dirty , so I would be careful with one of these

Magicarcher · Post by **Magicarcher** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 1:21 pm

oldgitdave wrote: ↑Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:52 pm I've heard these are pretty good. Not tried one myself though.

https://www.ukcustomcovers.com/custom-h ... half-cover

Do not do it, these are not good, see my other post with pictures after 4 months the weather proofing broke down, after 6 they were unusable. If you read the thread below, you will find I am not the only one who has had these problems.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=104017&p=1517522&hi ... r#p1517522

-Tom- · Post by **-Tom-** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:07 pm

I think it was a storm force cover that I used for a while ... no complaints with that!

Also used a half cover when I had a roadster ... I think that was an OEM one but I really can’t remember. That was mainly as a didn’t want the drains getting full though

oldgitdave · Post by **oldgitdave** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:30 pm

Magicarcher wrote: ↑Wed Mar 21, 2018 1:21 pm
oldgitdave wrote: ↑Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:52 pm I've heard these are pretty good. Not tried one myself though.

https://www.ukcustomcovers.com/custom-h ... half-cover
Do not do it, these are not good, see my other post with pictures after 4 months the weather proofing broke down, after 6 they were unusable. If you read the thread below, you will find I am not the only one who has had these problems.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=104017&p=1517522&hi ... r#p1517522

Hmmm, I obviously didn't research these very well

it looks like they are crap

. 6 months!

. I'd expect years of use from any cover tbh.

-Tom- wrote: ↑Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:07 pm I think it was a storm force cover that I used for a while ... no complaints with that!

Also used a half cover when I had a roadster ... I think that was an OEM one but I really can’t remember. That was mainly as a didn’t want the drains getting full though

However I did have a top of the range stormforce cover (not on a Zed) & I must agree with Tom, never an issue through all sorts of weather. Used mine for 3 years with no problems.

earthdweller · Post by **earthdweller** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:23 am

As I said earlier ., I have a stormforce and have had no issues with it at all

It is currently on the car in the garage but as can be seen when I do have to leave it outside it works a treat

They are not cheap . But do seem to work

Capa · Post by **Capa** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:20 pm

Another vote for a stormforce. They're expensive, but I've not found better

Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:11 pm

my issue with all covers is if the car is dirty and your dragging a cover over it, there is a good chance you will mark your paintwork.
correct me if you think I am wrong.

Capa · Post by **Capa** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:17 pm

Rats. I meant storm shield.

They are kinda fleecey on the inside.
http://www.specialisedcovers.com/storms ... -car-cover

Ran one for a few years on a previous car that happened to be made of plastic and never noticed any issues.

earthdweller · Post by **earthdweller** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:01 pm

Phoenixboy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:11 pm my issue with all covers is if the car is dirty and your dragging a cover over it, there is a good chance you will mark your paintwork.
correct me if you think I am wrong.

I clean the car first before I put the cover on

Then I unfold out it from the roof across the car without dragging it

You do need to be careful, but there is no need to “drag” it over the car

Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:15 pm

earthdweller wrote: ↑Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:01 pm
Phoenixboy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:11 pm my issue with all covers is if the car is dirty and your dragging a cover over it, there is a good chance you will mark your paintwork.
correct me if you think I am wrong.
I clean the car first before I put the cover on

Then I unfold out it from the roof across the car without dragging it

You do need to be careful, but there is no need to “drag” it over the car

sounds ok, but not always practical to clean before covering.

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