Whats the real story on car cover use?

I use the car cover everytime I put the car away in the garage and yes it makes a big difference in keeping the dust off the car and fabric top, which the california duster doesn't get out.

 

For the sake of the paint, I'd only put a car cover on a clean car -- not on top of dust or dirt.

Then there's the problem of dirt on the car cover. The problem with the "fancy" covers is that you can't just toss them in the washer. They're too bulky, and have too many different materials.

A plain cover is good for collecting the dust on the car over a winter storage.

When to use a cover is a long running debate. (You can use the search feature to find several past threads on this.)

I've heard that car covers and rain can be an issue, because you don't want a wet cover drying on the car.

I tended to use mine when parking at work beneath trees. (To keep the sap off the paint, and to protect against falling branchlets ... or acorns.)

These days, I park in an underground garage at work, so I haven't used my car cover in several years.
(In winter, I keep leaving it off to give access for the "to do" list I have every winter. Sometimes I even get around to some of it. I wash the car in spring, anyway.)

But then, mine is a "driver" -- the mechanicals are better than the cosmetics.

 

I cover the car only when the car is parked in my garage.

 

This is the number one reason I don't use one. In my garage, the car is out of the sun, rain and the birds and the bees (yes, bee **** is hazardous to paint). I had the garage built without windows to minimize UV penetration.

Outside, by definition I have driven the car and it has some small amount of road dust. Putting a cover on the car collects and wipes that dust until over time you get scratches in the paint. Also, unless you clean your wheels and tires after pulling the car into the spot where it will be covered, you will get road dirt, dead tire rubber and brake dust on the lower edge of the cover.

The only situation where I could see using one is if I were going to Europe or somewhere for an extended period and knew the car was just going to sit. Then I would clean it as described, put a tender on the battery (or just remove it), add some Stabil to the tank, etc. Upon return I would wash the cover and put it away.

If you park at a restaurant, do the world a favor and leave your Ferrari uncovered so we have something more interesting to look at than a bunch of crossovers and Japanese sedans.

 

I use a light weight dust cover for the car and only use it when it's in the garage, just to keep the dust off, between drives.

 

I cover my cars, including daily drivers, whenever they are going to be outside for more than an hour.

I use cotton covers that are machine washable.

I keep cars a long time (15+ years sometimes) and people are amazed at how a 15 year old car can still look new. Keeping them out of the sun is key. Long term, the sun is the most destructive force on a car.

I've done it since I was a kid. After 25 years of practice, I can cover or uncover a car in 10-15 seconds (or less!).

 

I never ever park the Ferraris outdoors without the windshield cover in place and that includes shows. In an 18 year old TR the dash still looks like it was made yesterday.

 

anytime anything touches the paint, specially without copious amounts of water and soap, it's bad. That includes all you guys i see wiping the dust off your cars at car shows.

 

Any time you see a high end garage (either in person or on television), the cars not being worked on are covered with a light plastic "bag" and not a thick cover, now obviously this only pertains to garaged cars...my personal process:

1. Start with clean car
2. Following each drive (regardless of distance and/or weather) wipe car down with Griots Speed Shine & Microfiber, clean brake dust off wheels
3. If garaged for a couple days (after Speed Shine), I'll California Duster it down lightly if I see some light dust (garage dust mind you, not road stuff)
4. Every 3-4 drives, full wash, dry with Griots Spray on Wax
5. Every other month or so, hit it with the random orbitor (polish, if needed, followed by Best of Show wax)

 

Huh? Compared to what? A Kia?

 

I've been using car covers for a long time and won't leave a car outside for long without one.(even the daily driver) Prior to applying I typically use a California Duster to remove any dust if I've recently driven it. There doesn't seem to be any more scratches caused by a cover that you don't get from mere washing anyway. Indoors I use a cover too in most cases. Covers cut down UV outside and obviously keep a car cleaner longer indoors. Best bet for washing is one of those commercial, tumble machines at the coin op. Best way to dry is on the car in the sun.(although wouldn't do it with an F-car)

 

I've only ever used one on a mustang mach 1 I was keeping an eye on for my cousin which I didn't have the garage space to park. If I had a nicer car than a ford taurus I might use one especially if parked somewhere like work all day I could see doing it. Otherwise I just park wherever put up a sunshade on the dash and go

 

Indoors, I use two king size cotton sheet and drape it over a clean car. Outside, I don't use a cover but then again, I don't let it out of my sight for too long.

Ace

 

I have a nice one from Griots. It goes on once a year in the Fall for Winter storage, and comes off once in the Spring. Just before it goes on is the yearly wash and wax before six months of sleep.

 

Funnily enough, I JUST bought a genuine Ferrari car cover for my 348.

I dont think I will use it though. The only reason I bought it because it was cheap.

When I own more than one Ferrari then I will probably use it. In the meantime.........meh.

 

My car is stored in a carport. I have a high quality fitted breathable waterproof cover that goes over the car, then a cheap cover over that. About annually I can throw out the cheap cover and my primary is good. The cover is only used when the car is clean. I use a quick detailer after all drives and then cover it. If I get stuck in the rain or car gets exceptionally dirty I don't recover until I wash it. I haven't used the cover away from home.

 

+1 I use a "Tan Flannel" by Covercraft, when in the garage, for keeping the dust off. I only put it on after Quick Detail/microfiber cleaning though; otherwise, the cover itself will eventually load up inside with dust from the car, wich would defeat the purpose of the cover.

 

Remember outside if wind the car cover will be rubbing and that will wear the paint on outside points
And cannot cover the car untill it has cooled in garage lost first cover that way to hot tailpipes
Is good if in garage for longer term to keep dust off

 

i always cover mine when at home. unless i am driving them, my cars do not sit out in the sun.
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I use the car cover only when the car (outside) is clean, and when the car is in the garage.

 

My car is always is covered when I am not driving it (excluding when I park outdoors). After a drive I cover the entire car except for the engine, I let the engine cool down first then cover that up.

 

I agree 100%. Putting a cover on a car that has been driven is like putting a clean shirt on without showering. My car spends 99% of its time in total darkness. When it's out, it's moving and getting dirty and yes, exposed to sunlight. I don't own a cover. I don't need one.