To use Car cover or Not to use Car cover

My personal opinion is always use a cover. I bought a flannel cover from covercraft.com- about $125. It keeps the dust off and more importantly adds some level of protection against whatever hitting the car. Before I put it on after driving I use Meguiar'sFinal Inspection to get off any road dirt, etc... This is like a wax as well. I stayed away from Ferrari factory covers- they are way too tight and I felt stretching over the car would scratch. A loose fitting flannel is perfect.

On washing I've never used soap on any car, not just Ferraris. Again, that's just me. I don't drive my car in the rain, so washing isn't really an issue. Get it buffed by a pro once a year or so and you shouldn't need to wash it assuming you don't drive in the rain or through a mud puddle. Final Inspection will be all you need.

 

Final Inspection isn't really a wash, it's more of a spray wax I guess. It will take off water spots no problem. The product says not use it for "heavy soil" but I don't really have that issue. If there's a thick layer of dust on your car, then you should probably wash. The dirty little secret of washing though is that water pools in the car and over time things rust. If you're not driving the car in the rain as most do not then washing isn't really necessary unless the car's really dirty- just use something like Final Inspection which will make the paint look great especially if you have the finish buffed.

 

See the archive from Ferrari Club of America articles at
www.fca-se.org/concours.htm and it will answer a lot of your questions. If you haven't joined FCA, you should consider doing so.

 

I only use a car cover (and a lock) if I have to park the car outdoors overnight, as at a hotel. In my garage it stays quite clean without a cover.

 

I think the general consensus it use the car cover only if the car is clean.
If there are dust on it, as you slide the car cover around, there is the potential for scratches.

Differing opinions on the dusters. But I would just wash the car instead of trying to use a California duster.

Sunny who goes by "JaguarXJ6" has written a very detailed article on how to detail your car. Everything you ever wanted to know and then some.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2620

 

Car cover in the garage....

It has saved many unknown little issues I'm sure.

 

Carcoon,not a big fan of covers that touch the car.

 

Maguires makes Final Inpection. It's a great product. I second the necessity of the car being clean before covering. Dust on the surface can put LIGHT surface scratches on the finish. In theory these could be buffed out, but it's better to avoid them. Final Inspection takes off any light grime or particles. A carcoon can and should be used in your garage- it's an inflatable plastic "case" that surrounds the car- held away by air pressure. It's kind of like a baloon. In my opinion it's overkill, but that's just my opinion...

 

Most agree to use windex and a soft towel..




JUST KIDDING,,, Dont get all worked up

 

The world class handling and braking abilities of your Ferrari should allow you to avoid all puddles, even if it means an ear-piercing, tire-smoking stop right before the puddle. Other drivers will be impressed! (Or maybe not.)

More seriously, with regard to car covers, I'd echo Pete C.'s comment above that a tight-fitting cover is a bad idea, but would add that it could be OK if the car is absolutely clean and must be stored outdoors. A loose cover may flap around a bit outside and abrade the paint. Indoors only, a loose cover is better. Either way, how you apply and remove the cover (e.g., folding technique) is important - you don't want the cloth dragging across the paint in any event.

A nice attribute for a car cover would be "quick drying" - you will want to keep the cover clean, but commercial dryers can affect the shape or protective qualities of some covers.

 

Parked outside, use a cover.
Parked inside, a cover is a little redundent.

 

I disagree. My garage gets a lot of "traffic" between my wife and I. If I leave any of my non daily drivers not covered, they tend to gather dust. (and the non daily drivers are parked in the deep spots (its 40 feet deep).

 

I use a fitted cover while car is in garage.

 

You can get indoor and outdoor.
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My F-Car is my daily.

 

DeLorean was the US Importer of Carcoons. I just got off the phone with them. Due to the decreasing value of the dollar they can no longer make money off them, so they have ceased importing them at this point.

Troy

 

Utilising a car cover on a garaged car is a must in my opinion. I live near the sea where salt air is a problem and can be a rust accelerant in time. Use a soft cover (parachute-type material) and make sure it is loose fitting (to alleviate sweating and moisture build-up), yet covers your whole vehicle to ground level. It will keep the dust off as well as preserve your car. I swear by covers and I can attest to their value as I own a multi-winning Concours vehicle which is always covered in my garage when not in use.

 

At home I use a an inflatable car bubble. Even with this you have to be careful because you need to roll the plastic over hte car. I put a large bed sheet over the car first roll the material on to it then after inflation I pull the sheet off.

Outside when I am on a trip I cover the car with a Noah. It prevents people from messing with the car and keeps off the bird stuff tree sap etc.