Car Covers, Recommendations? Options

[Jeff97FST/A]

Time to make a decision - summer street tires or R Compounds?

My wife takes mass transit to work and rarely drives her car, so I've decided to drive her car for the summer, buy the R tires and park the Trans Am.

Indoor storage isn't an option, but I'd like to protect the car from the trees, bird, bus fumes, rocks, etc. Anyone recommend a good car cover?

Thanks....

[Matt]

Get one with a soft cotton inside, so it won't scratch your finish.

I have the GM car cover for mine, but I found one at Coversearch.com in a flannel that looked really nice.

Also make sure its a breathable cover as you don't want moisture to get trapped between your cover for long periods of time.

Matt

[slowTA]

I would stay away from any company that doesn't have that great of a name for themselves, especially if you like the paint on your car. This is what happened with a coverite on my car. How am I supposed to post pics here anyway?

The hood of my car gets this white area on the driver's side whenever it is covered and gets rained on. After a while it has gone away, but comes back after being covered and rained on. I know the paint isn't that great to begin with, but there is no excuse for this. I'm positive it is the covers fault because I had it on another car before this one and even my moms car for a week, those hoods had the same problem too. The box says that it offers all weather protection and that the car should be dry when covered to avoid damage to the paint. Funny how the car is always wet for days after it rains and when I pull the cover off... the car is wet underneath. So now my car is tucked away in the back of my driveway getting covered in pollen, sticks, and whatever dirt finds its way back there, just because the cover is horrible! The bad part is that I see these covers showing up at swap meets all the time now.

[robz71lm7]

California Car Cover with Noah fabric is what I'd recommend. I had a covercraft with Evolution 4 fabric and it didn't hold up that well.

These were on my truck BTW.

Covers are only good if you keep your car parked a long time because you have to get it perfectly clean before you cover it.

[Jeff97FST/A]

I was looking at the Noah fabric but didn't know anything about it. I'll do some more reading on that one...

I remember hearing about California Car Cover, I'll check them out, thanks Rob...

[beuke23]

I had Covercraft Evolution 4 that I used outdoor for 2 years on my old 92 RS. The car had fairly nice paint, and the cover kept it clean. The car was parked around a tree and held up to the tree sap and snow. I washed the cover twice a year. The cover is very thick and heavy.

As mentioned though, you have to have a clean car before you put any cover on. And it will trap condensation after getting doused by heavy rain.

Now I have CCC's Noah that I use on my '02 that's parked in the garage. I don't think it would hold up to the rough weather up here, but that's strictly just by observing the materials by hand. Noah's supposed to be good enough for outdoor use.

[CMC #37]

I have had really good luck with California Car Cover. I have been using their Noah covers, however, I would think you may be interested in a heavier duty cover they make called Stormweave. Whatever cover you choose, be sure to follow the washing directions. NEVER put these in a dryer, they fall apart! To save myself the hassle I usually take the car covers to the laundromat and have them line dry it! I made the mistake of putting one of these in the dryer and it is now full of holes. I was about to throw it away when a light bulb went off and I now use it to cover extra race tires at the track! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[SSpeedracer]

I've used several covers. The Noah type does an excellent job in dry weather. However, it collects tons of dust (as most covers do) and will transfer the dust through the cover and onto your car when it rains.

Worse, the rain water drys and you are left with a coat of dirt.

Whatever you get, make sure it is custom fit to your car and not a generic type. I tuck my cover in the bottom door seals to hold it on better.

[CMC #37]

For those of you looking for a good cheap NOAH cover, Summit had them for F-bods for about $150 when I last bought one there.

[Jeff97FST/A]

After going back and reading the descriptions, it does appear that the stormweave is more in line with the conditions I'm in.

I'm only planning on keeping the car under wraps for a few months, perhaps into the fall, depending on when I get tires on the thing. It's been parked for two days and is already covered with tree $h!T...it's getting a bath tomorrow...

The California covers are custom fit, aren't they?

Had a funny thought, since you all mentioned clean cars: I should ask my brother for a car cover recommendation. He had a 92 (?) Formula he kept covered all the time. Some weekends, he'd uncover it, wash it, let it dry, then cover it again (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) When he sold it, someone got a real nice, clean, low miles car...

[CMC #37]

Hey Jeff, yes, the California Car Covers are custom fit. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[94bird]

I'd also recommend CCC. I got one for my car in case it rains when I'm at an event. Used it at Beaver Run last year and it worked great.