IBM definitely didn’t steal that saying from Ford.

 

That's because it wasn't a "better idea"...

 

“Ford inside”

 

 

That car cover offering lasted maybe 8 monthes of outside duty, the material turns brittle & tears. They need mirror pockets to be billed as "custom". Look elsewhere.

 

Just made a warranty claim, we shall see.

 

Well, in case someone is still looking for the next best thing after a garage, here is what I do: I create cocoons!


First clean the car properly to make sure that there is no dirt left acting as sandpaper, then cover the car with old blankets.


Then put a proper hail-cover over it. (Using this without blankets and without my next layers would potentially scratch some sections of paint.) The covered up car in the background is a XJS.


Then place a definitely waterproof tarps over it. Secured with clothline on the bottom thru all the lugs, including a bit of clothline from left to right under the car. Maybe you find one in silver... When I used this clear one, the effect was that I created a glasshouse/greenhouse and it got very hot inside and it discoloured the hailcover. Thus, my next improvement now is that I place a silver tarps over the clear tarps. I.e., even if the silver tarps is not perfectly waterproof, the clear one is. The size of the tarps is 3.6m x 5.55m. A bit longer than 5.55m would be better.

The added benefit is that if wind comes, the silver tarps may rub on the clear tarps. and maybe the clear tarps still rubs a little bit on the hail cover, but there is very little movement left for the hail cover to rub on the blankets or the paint...

And I was thinking also: I seem to have a mice-problem in the engine compartment of one car. I placed already plenty of rat-poison into the engine compartment, and they love it. If this still is not enough, I might just drive onto a clear tarps, and raise it from the bottom around the car (with clothline) before adding the 4 layers from the top. I don't think a mouse would find the way in... Also, with so many layers I would imagine to have created a fairly stable environment inside, i.e. condensation is expected to me minimal and due to the blankets on the car, there would be hardly any surface to condensate anyway...

I have currently 6 of those cocoons in my garden - yes, I also plan to build a huge garage, but that is a future project, as I am currently busy fixing first another 4 of my 11 cars, so that I have 10 perfectly restored and running cars (the 11th car is a question-mark).

 

Car covers do not seem to last as long as they are supposed to in my experience. The sun is
very destructive to the various coatings and fabric, cracks develop and then holes or tears The
more expensive ones last longer, but not enough to justify the cost.

 

...which is exactly why I am doing it exactly as I am doing it....
I expect neither the blankets not the hail cover nor the clear tarps to get damaged anytime soon.
The top layer, the silver tarps might see damage due to UV light, but that isn't that expensive to replace.

 

This thread reminds me of something.

I've got an outdoor cover for a LWB X308 to sell, it came with a previous car & I forgot to pass it on when I sold it.

 

$50 shipping lol.

 

I wonder what would happen if you asked them to let a local person pick up the "free of charge"
cover. Someone like "DoorDash" and had them ship it to you.

 

Considering I paid $154 for the original which lasted me about 7 mo.'s of moderate usage, think I'll pass lol.

 

First time outside storage car cover user;

IMO,

- The premium outside car covers from any of the major vendors all appear very similar. As if they're all from the same Chinese factory.
- No ones heaviest/premium cover is as heavy as the best from 5 - 7 years ago.
- While I don't think the weight directly relates to water proofness, I believe the weight or thickness contributes to impact resistance. Impact of hail, flying branches or little cat feet.
- I've always folded my fold-able mirrors in, so don't buy 'mirror-pocket' covers. My one fixed-mirror Jag has not yet ripped its cover due to mirrors.
- Always use the straps. It takes some time to figure out proper tension on straps. Real tight seems right, but will slowly stretch cover. Too loose will fall off when windy.
If not using center lock grommets, install 3rd strap in center. The better strapped, the less movement of cover on car in high winds. Even microscopic movement, if frequent, will affect paint finish. Don't let cover hang close to ground, underside soft lining will absorb water off ground, wick up.
- As comment above, when covered with ice, leave alone. But as snow load builds, brush off while powder, don't wait until it builds into ice. When ice or snow begins to melt. brush off paths for draining water. Otherwise ice will build beneath snow pack. (Melt begins in center of horizontal panels).
- If car will be stationary for some time in "4-season climate", consider raising car on jackstands or ramps. Higher off ground, more airflow under vehicle, less precipitation transfer from wet ground under car to car chassis.

 

Spoke w/ a "manager" got it down to $30 Priority shipping will be here in a couple days lol. Still can't recommend them.

Yeah I always strapped it up properly maybe this round I will fold my mirrors. But it also showed wear @ the leaper.

 

@ Coventrywood:
Nice username... That's another word for "Jaguar"...

> I've always folded my fold-able mirrors in, so don't buy 'mirror-pocket' covers.

I described, what I do, above (in pictures) : 1. blankets (to protect the paint from scratches caused by hail cover), 2. hail cover, 3. silver tarps, to reflect the sunlight (to protect the expensive hail cover, and to additionally keep the moisture out). - I use hail covers without mirror pockets and I do not fold the mirrors in, as that allows for a bit of a distance between car and the covers, and thus it allows for a bit of natural ventilation to allow caught up moisture to escape...