Car Cover scratches

[Jet]

I use a outdoor car cover, but I'm having car professionally polished and have been told it scratches the paintwork. So which is better if I want to reduce surface scratches? Option A, cover the car, much less dust, potential scratches, hand polish regularly? Option B, no cover, loads of dust but less surface scratches, hand polish more often?

That how it works?

cheers

Jet

[Robert T]

I use a soft indoor cover underneath the outdoor cover on my Sprite. I used to put soft blankets on the bonnet and boot, but the areas they didn't cover finished up looking dull after a relatively short period of time. The indoor cover is much better, but not perfect, as it still moves around in the wind.

Cheers R.

[mrscalex]

I use a soft indoor cover underneath the outdoor cover on my Sprite. I used to put soft blankets on the bonnet and boot, but the areas they didn't cover finished up looking dull after a relatively short period of time. The indoor cover is much better, but not perfect, as it still moves around in the wind.

Cheers R.

Years ago when I tried covers on my old Escort Mk 1s they would remove the paint on the wing extremities, sometimes back to bare metal! That's possibly in part at least a reflection on the quality of the paint job. But it's always made me wary of car covers.

That said I have a soft indoor one which I will start using soon in the garage. And an outdoor top only one I'll use if the car ever needs to be outside.

It's going for the MOT in 2 hours and I'm freaking out about water getting in as it's a horrible day! These days it spends its life in the garage or outside on dry days only. I replaced the aerial grommet last night in preparation and that went in nicely. But the 3rd brake light was a real b*gger to get right with the new, rounded, larger gasket as opposed to the original squarer profile. Mind you I think the lens and bulb holder are a bit awkward to click together anyway.

[Jet]

I use a soft indoor cover underneath the outdoor cover on my Sprite. I used to put soft blankets on the bonnet and boot, but the areas they didn't cover finished up looking dull after a relatively short period of time. The indoor cover is much better, but not perfect, as it still moves around in the wind.

Cheers R.

I was thinking this, what soft of material is best, cotton?

Thx

Jet

[Robert T]

Most of them seem to be poly-cotton. I picked mine up at a car show quite cheaply - it is not a tailored fit. One of these days I will treat it to a custom fit one with a pocket for the wing mirror.

Cheers R.

[Pat Slade]

The BMW tailored cover is made of Technolon fabric. It is soft to the touch but can be used indoors or out. Have only used it extensively indoors but doubt it would produce scratches unless put over a dirty car.

[TJS]

Any tight fitting cover put on a dirty car will create small scratches plus the cover will hold the dust particles and the problem is repeated if subsequently used on a clean car. If your garage is damp a cotton cover will become wet over time and hold the moisture against the paintwork which could cause micro blistering. I do have fitted cotton covers which are used for longterm de-humidified indoor storage when the cars are spotlessly clean, if they are dusty or damp they sit "naked" and I wash the dust off when they are next used.

An alternative option is to consider an Air Chamber or Carcoon which are basically large inflated "tents" with a fan and filter, however you do need a power supply and they are not practical for regular (weekly) use.

[Jet]

is that a bubble car?

[Green Genie]

The BMW tailored cover is made of Technolon fabric. It is soft to the touch but can be used indoors or out. Have only used it extensively indoors but doubt it would produce scratches unless put over a dirty car.

+1 for the Technolon cover, I've got Pat's old one, also only used indoors and can confirm no scratches from using it. Doubt it's still available from BMW now?