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What Type of Car Cover Should I Choose?
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If you've decided to purchase a cover to protect your car or vehicle, it's important you pick the right kind of cover that will fulfill the needs of both you and your vehicle. Today, car covers come in a wide variety of makes, styles, colors, materials and sizes which all offer a number of different features. Covers range from thin, soft fabric dust covers, to more heavy duty, water resistant and UV proof items.
If your vehicle is already kept undercover in a garage or car port, then a simple fabric type cover would most likely be the best choice. |
These kinds of covers are usually a nice, tight, snug fit, very light and easy to use, and the soft fabric they are woven from means they cannot damage your cars finish in any way. Ideal for use indoors, or in already sheltered areas, fabric dust covers are not suitable for use on vehicles kept outdoors in exposed areas due to their lack of protection capabilities against the weather.
If you need a cover to protect your car from the rain and other potential contaminants, then you will clearly need a thicker cover that is completely water resistant. These kinds of covers can be heavier and if used in the wrong manner could inflict damage by rubbing against the surface of your vehicle. It's advisable that if you are going to use a heavier, water resistant outdoor cover then you pick one that features a soft woven material, or natural woolen lining to protect your cars surface.
A lined cover however, can also bring another problem; they can trap moisture and condensation and hold it against the surface of your vehicle, which is exactly the thing you are trying to avoid by using a cover in the first place. If your outdoor lined cover is going to be used for any considerable amount of time, or if it is going to be exposed to wet/damp conditions on a regular basis it is advisable to choose one that is also breathable. These types of covers contain microscopic holes that allow any trapped moisture and condensation to safely escape, while still being able to keep exterior moisture and rain out.
If the cover is going to be used to protect your vehicle from the strong sun then you obviously need to make sure that it is completely UV proof. You also want a cover that will not degrade in the sun and become brittle and worn over time. There are covers that offer both water resistance and UV protection which are sensible choice if your vehicle is exposed to both extremes of wet and dry weather conditions, but remember that the more features the cover offers, the more expensive it will be.
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If exposed to the elements, then you need to be sure that your car cover can be properly secured down and that it will not work itself off over time, as a loose cover flapping in the wind can be a real nuisance and can actually cause damage if it continually impacts the surface of your vehicle. Inexpensive, universal type fit car covers usually suffer from this issue and can actually be more problematic than not having a cover at all. |
Finally, there is the completely custom made car cover. There are a number a companies that are able to manufacture a cover completely to your specification and needs, designing it for the exact make, model and size of your vehicle. These kinds of custom covers offer the very best quality in terms of construction, materials, usability and functionality and they will truly protect your vehicle from whatever hazards or contaminants it is that you are trying to avoid.
These benefits will be reflected in the price however, and custom car covers can cost considerably more that your average 'over the counter' type of product. You should remember though, that a proper custom made car cover should last the life of the vehicle and therefore should be viewed as an investment that will help to keep your car in good condition for its life, or at least for the period of time that you own it.
Lastly, once you have chosen your car cover, it's important to know how to use it correctly. Any kind of car cover should only ever be put onto a clean vehicle, this is because, firstly, you do not want to cover up and insulate dirt and contaminants that are on the surface of your vehicle, and secondly, because the cover may rub against these dirt particles and have an abrasive effect which would inflict light scratches and swirl marks on the paintwork.
You should also never store the cover on the ground and try to not even let it touch the floor for the same reasons. Follow any manufacturers guidelines about cleaning or treating the cover appropriately in order to keep it clean and in good condition, functioning and protecting your car properly. |
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