Car Covers : Opinions Please

horvath · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 09:12 PM

I recently bought a Noah cover for my truck. At the website (AutoAnything.com) it stated that the cover was good for "extended outdoor use ... in rainy areas" etc. but when I received the cover and saw the enclosed literature, the first thing I noticed was, "This cover is NOT waterproof."

Sigh ...

We had a rainy evening coming, so I thought I'd see how it would do. After 4 hours of a steady rain, I checked my truck and discovered the body was wet underneath the cover. So, I called and complained -- "This is NOT what I bought the cover for!" They reply by saying that no cover manufacturer on earth makes a waterproof cover because if the cover doesn't let moisture out, the cover interacts with the paint and causes permanent paint damage!

In short, I returned the cover and am attempting to get my $200 back.

Tonight, I went to Home Depot and bought a plastic tarp (waterproof) and a nice soft drop-cloth. I figure on putting the drop-cloth (feels like felt) over my truck, and then the plastic tarp, next time we are supposed to have a major snow and/or rain storm.

Any opinions on this? Has anyone else done the same? I just want to keep my truck as dry as I can, when I can ... and also make it easier to get the snow off when we have snow storms -- until I can finally find a place with a garage.

Thanks.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

Dutchman · #2 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 11:29 PM

The main problems with covers in my book is the increased scratches in the paint. Any particle between the paint and the cover is possible potential. If it is outside, it is even worse with the wind moving the cover over the vehicle.
I have to use a cover on my gold wing here in Japan. In the states I have a nice heated garage. I cover her up when I leave for extended periods or time and cringe when I finally uncover her. But, I hate the cat prints if I don't cover the cycle.

Dutch

horvath · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 12:03 AM

Thanks, Dutch

1 - Maybe I should forget the cover and just "weather the storms" until I get a garage???

2 - I'd just shoot the damned cat! LOL!

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

Daniel C Reid · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by horvath
I recently bought a Noah cover for my truck. At the website (AutoAnything.com) it stated that the cover was good for "extended outdoor use ... in rainy areas" etc. but when I received the cover and saw the enclosed literature, the first thing I noticed was, "This cover is NOT waterproof."

Sigh ...

We had a rainy evening coming, so I thought I'd see how it would do. After 4 hours of a steady rain, I checked my truck and discovered the body was wet underneath the cover. So, I called and complained -- "This is NOT what I bought the cover for!" They reply by saying that no cover manufacturer on earth makes a waterproof cover because if the cover doesn't let moisture out, the cover interacts with the paint and causes permanent paint damage!

In short, I returned the cover and am attempting to get my $200 back.

Tonight, I went to Home Depot and bought a plastic tarp (waterproof) and a nice soft drop-cloth. I figure on putting the drop-cloth (feels like felt) over my truck, and then the plastic tarp, next time we are supposed to have a major snow and/or rain storm.

Any opinions on this? Has anyone else done the same? I just want to keep my truck as dry as I can, when I can ... and also make it easier to get the snow off when we have snow storms -- until I can finally find a place with a garage.

Thanks.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

302 Z28 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 04:57 AM

Recently at the Houston Autorama I spotted an inflatable car cover that was inflated by a blower. It also had an option for heat and humidity control. Seemed a bit extreme to me.

Vince

**poncho62** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 05:35 AM

I wouldn't use a vinyl tarp. I did that a few years ago. I put blankets under the tarp to protect the car. In the spring, there was all kinds of what looked like water marks all over the car. Took me all year to buff it out. Its like some substance came off the tarp and stained the paint.

Better to just wax it up good and leave it outside. At least that way nothing is going to mark it up.
The snow will melt.

horvath · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 09:59 AM

302/Z28 -- That's better than a cover ... but probably costs a bundle and, I imagine, is a real pain in the butt to blow up and deflate!

poncho62 -- THAT'S the problem that occurs with any waterproof cover, according to the cover-makers, and that's why NO ONE makes waterproof covers.

Oh well ... I think you're right -- a good coat of wax and let nature have it's way. Until I get a place with a garage!

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

Halloweenking · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 10:18 AM

Alan, The inflatable capsules are for mostly antique collector vehicles or someone with more money than the hotrod need to drive the thing. They are also for indoor storage and not outdoor protection.

Have you ever thought of building a lean to pole barn out of either wood or steel pipe and cover it with a few sheets of steel barn roofing you can get at lows or home depot for a few bucks a sheet? You can make a pole cabin for under $150 and it can be diassembled. You can even run some heating elements on/underneith the top set up to a timer run by an extension cord or a small solor panel to keep off the excess snow. It would keep most of the elements off your ride, all if you decide to toss on some sides. We built one for the race trailor and a buddy's truck with room for his bike. When I get some time I'll sendja an e-mail!

HK

troy-curt · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 10:41 AM

If you cover a car with anything, it has to breath, and let the moisture, and condensation out. Other wise it will make big splotches of discoloration, that might buff out and might not.
I've seen lots of paint jobs ruined covered with plastic.

A lot of places have 20x12 portable sheet metal carports for less than $350.00.

Troy

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Jag Daddy · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 01:33 PM

Alan check these out

Here are some cool shelters for your truck, not that expensive either.

Regards
Mark

Thom Laybourne · #11 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 02:30 PM

Cheap pvc, old fashion aframe tent. You can dirive in until you get garage. PVC about $10. HomeDepot a tent $40. $50 to have the truck polished (in your dreams). I would go with Jag's idea.

hr41pearl

zonk · #12 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 03:00 PM

If this might help any www.calcarcover.com

daimon1054 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 03:06 PM

I paid a ton for a cover for my Corvette thinking is would help keep it clean. Dust collects under the cover then as the wind blows and the cover moves and scratches the paint. I had small scratches all over the car and it pissed me off big time.

As said before you do not want a water proof car cover because it will hold moisture on the paint and cause clouding, same as a bra.

horvath · #14 (**permalink**) 12-19-2003, 05:31 PM

Thanks for all the input, my friends!

HalloweenKing -- Thanks, bro'. If I had my own place, I'd do just that, but I'm renting right now, so I don't have the luxury of doing what I want.

Jag Daddy -- THANKS! I was talking to a pal at the pizza shop this afternoon and he has a "tent" for his 'Vette ... I was gonna research them on the web tonight, but you saved me the trouble!

I'm gonna print out a pic and show it to my landlord ... see if he'll agree to let me put one up in my parking space (I rent the upstairs of a brick house and my landlord lives downstairs). These look like the best solution for now.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

Jag Daddy · #15 (**permalink**) 12-20-2003, 11:52 PM

Hey Alan

What happened? did you talk you land lord into it yet?

Regards
Mark

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