Car Cover: Is this OTT, or is there (some) logic in this approach

[Calps]

Hi all,

I previously used a (admittedly cheap) car cover to provide refuge to my Z whilst off the road. The car was parked at the side of the house, which is essentially a wind tunnel, so despite my attempts to anchor down the cover with straps, as it wasn't a bespoke fit for the car, there was still an amount of fabric flapping about which caused marks on the paintwork. It benefitted from a full paint restoration when put back on the road, so all is good in the world again, but I'd prefer to avoid this becoming an annual event.

Plans to install a roof over the side lane didn't come to fruition this year, so I'm back plotting a revised car-cover approach for the coming months.

I'm happy to spend on a decent car cover, however still weary of the wind tunnel impact, and so am considering putting one of those soft, super stretchy indoor covers on the car firstly to give a snug fit and provide an initial line of defence to wind flap, and then put a proper outdoor cover on top of that.

i.e. One of these as a base layer: https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/bmw-z4-coupe-super-soft-stretch-indoor-car-cover/vmd_10072-166914
Then covered with one of these: https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car-covers/ultimate-outdoor-car-cover/prod_10077

I'd welcome users opinions on the following:

- Has anyone done this before? Did it work as expected?
- Is this OTT? (i.e. a good Stormforce or Classicadditions cover would be fine on its own - it is particularly windy mind)
- Are there any unintended negative impacts that might come with this approach
- Am I better off getting a custom made cover for the car (like so: https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/outdoor-car-covers/custom-made-outdoor-car-cover/prod_10076)
- Any other comments/suggestions welcome

 

[Scubaregs]

2 MR2 roadsters (12 years) a 718 Boxster (3 years) and now my G29 have been DD's and sat outside in Scottish winters without need of a cover.

 

[caius]

I bought a roof/windows cover for mine last year, but had issues with damp in the cabin (not related to the cover, but I'm sure it helped keep moisture in), so I've not really used it. Also a slight faff to fit compared to just locking the car and walking off. Happily sits outside in all weathers in the Midlands, and I just wash it more often to deal with the inevitable bird poop.

 

[tomscott]

Previous owner bought one on the Z I have now soft lined expensive thing…

Absolutely swirled the paint into a right mess took me forever to DA most of it out. These cars are pretty robust and the roof mohair isn’t the waterproof layer it has a sealed layer underneath so if I’m honest it’s a lot of money to ruin the paint.

They are designed to be outside.

 

[Calps]

Thanks both,

Valid feedback, but preference is still to cover it. It's not a DD, and the space where it will be parked is quite narrow impacting my ability to wash it, so I don't want to leave it exposed long term to the army of neighbourhood cats, tree sap, and bird excrement (all of which are in plentiful supply)

The goal is to give it a good clean, hook it up to the trickle charger, cover it over and, for the most part, leave it be until it's time to come out to play again.

(The car will be fully cleaned/aired out before storage, so there should be minimal dirt/moisture to get "trapped" once covered, but useful feedback nonetheless)

 

[Calps]

Previous owner bought one on the Z I have now soft lined expensive thing…

Absolutely swirled the paint into a right mess took me forever to DA most of it out. These cars are pretty robust and the roof mohair isn’t the waterproof layer it has a sealed layer underneath so if I’m honest it’s a lot of money to ruin the paint.

They are designed to be outside.

Thanks Tom - I presume the swirls were as a result of the cover moving around though?

If a cover is properly secured, in theory, it should protect, rather than harm the paint, hence my curiosity on adding a stretchy soft layer for a tight fit, and to minimise movement/abrasion.

 

[Maria1]

I use a thin but soft indoor cover (bought form Ebay for around £40) and then overlay this with a Concours Eclipse 4-layer outdoor cover (£130). I used to use an old Classic additions cover but this cost £400 in 1994. I still have that for mowers etc.... The outer cover is tailored and the fact that it fits tightly around the mirrors and around the front and rear valences means that it is very stable in normal weather. if it looks like its going to be really windy it uses two adjustable straps underneath. This prevents it taking off. I would prefer this cover to be a bit softer inside (it says it is non scratch but it still feels hard rather than soft) and that's why I use the inner cover as well.

The issue with any cover is the faff (or not) of installing it. If you only need to use a car once a week then it's worth it. Otherwise it simply isn't a good idea as you will need to clean the car completely before putting it on EACH TIME. It's the grit on the car (even micro dust) that causes the paint damage.

 

[mr.tourette]

I'd just put the stormforce on..you still get condensation and its breathable so the wind you get will help keep the car dry in essence if some condensation sits on the paint..if you put a non breathable 2nd cover under it it will hold the water and possibly damage the paint.

I've not had any issues with stormforce swirling paint over 6 winters in North Wales, I do ensure the car is spotless and dry before putting on and it then stays on for 3 months

 

[Maria1]

i would agree with mr tourette on the potential problem of a second inner cover potentially holding water. If my car cover was on for more than a week and it wasn't allowed tov dry out then I wouldn't use it. For me as cover is there to protect from the worst of weather (including sun) so its not used all the time.

 

[tomscott]

Previous owner bought one on the Z I have now soft lined expensive thing…

Absolutely swirled the paint into a right mess took me forever to DA most of it out. These cars are pretty robust and the roof mohair isn’t the waterproof layer it has a sealed layer underneath so if I’m honest it’s a lot of money to ruin the paint.

They are designed to be outside.

Thanks Tom - I presume the swirls were as a result of the cover moving around though?

If a cover is properly secured, in theory, it should protect, rather than harm the paint, hence my curiosity on adding a stretchy soft layer for a tight fit, and to minimise movement/abrasion.

The cover I have is the storm force.

I think what ever you its very difficult to stop the cover moving at the end of the day its an extension not a part of the car so air will get in. using over a long period of time creates swirls continues to makes more and more of a mess. Especially with how hard the paint it on the Z4 getting them out can be really difficult.

My car was such a mess when I got it so could have been user error as ive not used it as I have a garage. What I can say is the soft material inside has started to degrade and leaves little bits of dust material everywhere.

Also the car needs to be squeaky clean before using it, obviously if the car is dirty the contaminant beds into the cover and causes damage over a long period and they aren't small enough you can put them through the wash.

Just a general un-needed headache imo.

 

[Chris_D]

I cover mine with a Stormforce during the winter and it flaps about and gets soggy but it dries out no problem.
I use a cheap but effective lightweight cover during the summer and this helps shield the paint and interior from the sun as well as keeping dust and birdsh!t off. My popup display surround has split/separated due to the sun and I heard stories of rearview mirrors failing too.

However, the biggest factor for me was protecting the paint as I experienced laquer hazing on the bootlid. This was undoubtedly caused by the sun's harmful UVA/B rays and was easily corrected with a DA.
A hard top in winter can also only help to prolong the life of the softtop and prevents mould forming during the cold damp winter months.

Yes, covers will casue hazing and light scratching due to movement by wind but if you're prepared to spend a day every year with the D/A and don't go mad then using a cover is a viable solution to covering when to not having a garage.

As my zed is now almost 20 years old my philosophy is to protect the exterior as far as possible as I don't have a garage at my NL place where it currently lives.