Looking for advice on a 4 season cover

[JCM1]

Hi All;
I am in the process of an extensive restoration including a thorough rust removal campaign. I have only one spot in my garage has it and my 928. Now with Fall and Winter looming am looking for recommendations for a car cover to protect my 1992 500E. I live in the Vancouver BC area and we have LOTS of rain, some snow and strong wind.

Any particular features, materials, design elements (e.g. cable lock) and other info very much appreciated.

All the best.



Joe

 

[gsxr]

Good outdoor covers are expensive... possibly $300+ USD. Most of the cover mfr's offer a bunch of types with selection charts based on usage (indoors, outdoor, sun, rain, wind, etc). In addition to a strap or lock that goes across the underside of the car in the center, I'd also recommend bungee-type straps at each corner (4 total), click here for some samples. Avoid "Noah" fabric covers for extended outdoor use.

If the wind is strong enough to flap a semi-loose cover on the hood/roof/trunk you may also want to place some moderate weights to keep it from flapping around excessively. Once it snows, the snow will hold it down, assuming it's cold enough to keep a few inches on the car for weeks or months.

 

[JCM1]

Thanks Dave!

 

[MB V8]

X 2 on what Gsxr said about some type of strap or something to tie a rope across the underside to cinch it tight. The wind will make the cover billow from underneath if it's not tied down under the car. To really secure the cover, I then lay a rope on top of the cover on the hood and wrap it around and under the car (by the wheels) and tie that tight, and then go to the trunk and wrap it in the same manner as the hood. Finally, you'll need a long piece of rope so you can wrap the entire car. You want to start at the headlights, and take the rope along the driver doors, around the tailights, around the passenger doors, and back to the headlights. Tie that tight and your cover will stay on the car. Unfortunately Ohio winters have given me plenty of practice.

Now that you southern and west coast guys have picked yourself up off the floor from laughing so hard at the challenges of living in the north.........ya'll can tell us what you do for hurricanes and forest fires???

And please note you paint aficionados....I said the rope....or whatever you use to secure the cover....goes on TOP of the cover and thus does not touch the paint!

 

[nocfn]

Having lived in Ohio, Norcal, SoCal, Vegas and Houston I know this: I never got up 2 hours early to shovel Rain, my gasser goes on every HOV lane when present and I am an hour away from the beach, pay no state income tax but sometimes I can fish in the street.

 

[gerryvz]

A good cover for all seasons can be found here, from Coverking. I have found them to be excellent.

Outdoor Car Covers - Coverking - Pelican Parts

Pelican Parts has chosen Coverking as our sole supplier of car, seat and dash covers for our customers. Coverking has proven their experience and quality in manufacturing custom-made car covers for more than a decade.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[JCM1]

Thanks Gerry and all who have responded. Lot's of rain here - more than what we had in Houston and now tonight the weather stations mentioned SNOW north of us but coming........ Yikes!

BTW - do we have a discount at Pelican?

All the best,

Joe

 

[Harv]

The issue with any outdoor cover is the friction it causes on the paint. Even if you have the cover tight, dirt and other particles get under the cover and trapped. The cover moves around from wind and rain and the dirt acts like sandpaper. It isn't a great option at all if you have pristine paint with few flaws or even if you have a car with thin spots in it.

The ideal option is to correct the paint, have the entire car covered in paint protection film, then put a ceramic coating on top of that. That way you aren't getting friction on the actual clear coat and paint. Go watch any of Larry Kosilla or Obsessed Garage's videos. All the preach is lubrication. If you are touching the paint without lubrication, you are scratching it.

 

[gsxr]

The issue with any outdoor cover is the friction it causes on the paint. Even if you have the cover tight, dirt and other particles get under the cover and trapped. The cover moves around from wind and rain and the dirt acts like sandpaper. It isn't a great option at all if you have pristine paint with few flaws or even if you have a car with thin spots in it.

This is true: ^^^

If your car has pristine paint... don't store it outdoors for long periods under a cover.

 

[500AMM]

The issue with any outdoor cover is the friction it causes on the paint. Even if you have the cover tight, dirt and other particles get under the cover and trapped. The cover moves around from wind and rain and the dirt acts like sandpaper. It isn't a great option at all if you have pristine paint with few flaws or even if you have a car with thin spots in it.

The ideal option is to correct the paint, have the entire car covered in paint protection film, then put a ceramic coating on top of that. That way you aren't getting friction on the actual clear coat and paint. Go watch any of Larry Kosilla or Obsessed Garage's videos. All the preach is lubrication. If you are touching the paint without lubrication, you are scratching it.

+1
The scrubbing issue is devastating to the paint finish and will happen even at light breeze. I wrap the car with sheets, taping the overlaps, before putting on the car cover. I also use blankets because they are thicker and protects better against harder strikes. Both sheets and blankets contribute holding the car cover more still as well. Blankets breath better than sheets and keeps the car dry - which the car cover alone does not, that's just a raincoat.

 

[JCM1]

Hi Arnt:
All good points! I think my best option will be to get the cover with the softest lining and clean ,dry and wax the car very thoroughly before covering. I have some blankets that I'll use as well. While my paint is not pristine it is in pretty good condition. In addition, securing the cover with additional bungie cords will minimize the flapping and rubbing.

I'm considering jacking up the car as well and keeping it on jack stands through the winter. Might add some naptha balls to keep the rodents away as I imagine they would see the wrapped and blanketed car as an inviting shelter.

All the best,


Joe

 

[ace10]

Costco is running a sale on the Coverking "XtremeWeave" car cover. Which appears to be their Silverguard product rebranded.

$119 shipped for ANY vehicle.

EDIT: I have no experience with the Silverguard product, but 120 bucks for a custom fitted cover is basically free.