I purchased a car cover from Covercraft in July 2023, hoping to protect my 2008 Portfolio from the elements outside. It was the 5-Layer Softback All Climate Car Cover that got stellar reviews. Unfortunately, my experience with this product has been extremely disappointing. By October 2023, just three months later, the lining of the cover began to disintegrate, leaving a powder-like residue all over my car. This was not only a hassle to clean, but it also defeated the purpose of having a protective cover. Whenever I would take the cover off to drive my car, I had to dust it off. Per Covercraft’s warranty policy, I had to pay for the return freight myself. Adding to my frustration, Covercraft required the defective cover to be received and inspected before they would start making a replacement. This entire process left my car exposed and uncovered for six weeks, which was incredibly inconvenient.

I finally received the replacement cover in November 2023. Initially, it seemed to be holding up well, especially during the winter months. However, by May 2024, the same issue reoccurred: the lining began to disintegrate again, coinciding with the rise in temperature to the upper 80 degrees. I subsequently washed the cover per Covercraft’s directions at a commercial laundromat, but it is still depositing a powdery residue on my car. It’s clear that these covers are not designed to withstand warmer weather, which significantly limits their usability.

The Covercraft car cover has proven to be a poor investment. Not only did it fail twice within a year, but the return and replacement process also left my car unprotected for an extended period. I cannot recommend this product, especially for those living in warmer climates. Can anyone recommend another car cover manufacturer? Thank, Mark

 

A few things... firstly, why do you want a cover? Sun fade is a concern to some, and environmental conditions like blowing sand and such are more a concern for others. Sun fade through the windows, bird droppings, tree sap and such are others.
Wind can cause a car cover to actually wear through paint in some circumstances by causing movement and constant rubbing on protruding edges and corners.
A cover can also hold onto dirt particles and rub THOSE into paint.
Some covers, while seeming to block sunlight, don't really block the UV spectrum which is the cause of paint fade.
Cars are made to operate in the elements and are designed to withstand most problems. Direct sunlight is what I'd most want to protect against. But to me, I'd not again use a car cover which touches my paint as I had the Rubbing Problem occur to a car I had. Not fun.
Is there any way you could forego an On The Car cover and use a carport type thing to avoid sun damage over time, and most falling hazards like poopie and such?
Also, a good protective 'waxing' or ceramic coating will go a long way to avoid most possible damage. There is also paint protective film (PPF) which I have on my new truck which seems to help quite a bit.

 

I use a Cover King car cover on my pickup truck under a carport so that the truck will be clean when I want to drive it. Been using it for about seven years now and its still like new. Its silver water repellent outside with a soft white felt-like lining, probably what they now call Silverguard Plus. I have no idea how it would hold up if its got direct sun exposure or frequent rain. Mine gets some morning sun on one end, some late evening sun on the other and a little mist blows in under the carport when it rains, but it never gets soaking wet except for washing it. As to washing it, I occasionally just put it on the truck in the driveway after a car wash and hose it off. The muddy looking dust runs off, the water beads up, I blow most of it off with a leaf blower and then let it air dry before putting back under the carport. The truck always stays clean and dry underneath during this. As to temperatures tho, we have 60+ days a year over 100 F.

Sometimes when the wind is blowing from the west we get so much dust here in Texas that it doesn't take long before I can write "wash me" on it so a cover really helps. But that's the trouble with car covers is that you can really only use them on a freshly washed vehicle and that's what I do. If I don't plan to use the pickup for a while, I'll wash it and put it away under the carport with the cover on it so that its still clean when I'm ready to use it again which might be a week or two. I learned the hard way as a much younger man that you don't want to use a car cover on a daily driver that's parked outside because the soft lining is like velcro, latching onto dirt particles and rubbing them all over the paint. As long as its a second vehicle that's only used sparingly, then it can make sense to use a car cover for protection but its really asking for more trouble than its worth on a daily driver. Thus, after I've driven the truck, I may, if I only went to Home Depot once for 15 minutes and the wind was calm, just run the California Duster over it and put the cover back on. But if I drive it very far, leave it uncovered for more than a couple hours or go through a construction zone, any situation that will get it dusty, then no, it doesn't get covered again until after I've had a chance to wash it.

I actually need to order a similar cover for the XJ8. I have another car coming soon, am completely out of indoor parking and the XJ8, as the least valuable car in the fleet is the logical choice to put outside. I started construction of another carport for it a week ago so it will have some protection from hail and other skybound dangers, but the weather here has conspired to slow progress. I still drive it to work once in a while but its essentially been "retired" from daily driving since 2017 so it will make sense to put a decent fitted cover on it. I have a generic outdoor cover I've used on it occasionally, but really it needs to be a fitted cover as that won't flap in the wind like the oversized generic cover will. I was going to order another CoverKing but may be curious what other recommendations pop up because these are starting to get kinda pricey, I've already spent over a grand on carport materials and more to go which already doesn't make sense for a $5,000 car. (I know, I know, its irrational, but I can't help it).

 

The best car of the fleet (the XKR) gets a shed. Stays cool. Has a clear bra on hood, mirrors, around windshield and trunk. Light inside cover

Why do a cover? Challenge here is heat and UV. It was 104 here yesterday. Also gusts (up to 25). Sunny 226 days/year. Parking is direct sun (most of the day) for the XK8. Whatever the downsides, cover makes sense for me. Today's car paint quality is amazing but intense UV will kill the clear coat at some point. Baking wood and leather? No thanks. Checked interior on my wife's Lexus while in the drive full sun midday for a less than 1/2 hour. 165. So glad no hail! I'd have a canopy up tmrw. Maybe this evening.

Covercraft? Did the 5 layer SoftBack for my 430. Lasted 3 years no problems then started to disintegrate into chunks. Kept the car cool, minimal dust. Agree problem w/ micro scratches are cover related. Other problem is the soft material collects dirt and hard to clean sap, birds, etc. After 12 years (have done several covers) always covered (and parked under a tree when possible) my 04 Lexus LS430 (w/ wood and leather) looks new. Expensive for a C+ solution but bought one for the street park XK8.

Cover King? Silverguard lasted 2 years. Pretty much disintegrated then tore apart down the center. Maybe some UV protect but not heat. Using a digital temp gauge, paint temp and outside surface of the cover are almost the same temp. Cover is too hot to touch? So is the paint. Two covers that didn't fit. Absolute PIA to do the exchange. Can't recommend.

Suggests appreciated on a good car cover options. Non custom ok (if reasonable fit). I have to tie down the custom covers anyway w/ straps available. Oh yeah, did put worn out Silverguard over the new 5 Layer. Worked great. Paint and interior stayed cool on hottest days. 5 Layer stayed clean. Too bad Silverguard ripped down the middle. Maybe do a generic and see if that solves heat and clean problems.

 

Has anyone ever tried a folding garage? There are many brands and I just googled and picked this one at random to illustrate what I mean:

https://www.dancovershop.com/uk/prod...RoCTgkQAvD_BwE

 

Don't think it would survive any wind. Less expensive to build a canopy if DIY.

 

Looks cute, but even their own website says wind rain and snow will be issues. So probably not worth the effort.

 

I put up a pole supported canvas garage/tent for my not-yet-wife a long time ago. She used it for two years until we got married and bought another house and then she used the garage. It worked okay, but it was kind of ugly.

 

That's outrageously expensive compared to this, which costs $169.99 and has great reviews. Be sure to watch the videos.


VEVOR Carport 10x20ft, Car Canopy Portable Garage, Heavy Duty Car Port with Roll-up Ventilated Windows & Removable Sidewalls, UV Resistant Waterproof All-Season Tarp for SUV, F150, Car, Truck, Boat
https://a.co/d/3

I have no interest in or relationship with this vendor or product.

 

Vonmark,
Have you looked over at carcovers.com ?
I bought a mixed use cover (indoor and light rain outdoor type) last year and no issues so far. However, car is always garaged and the cover is used more to protect from indoor garage type stuff.
But the website has covers of all types, maybe worth looking in to.
Good luck!

 

I bought the Bronze Shield cover from CarCoverStore.com for my XK that's kept in the garage. the fit is excellent and so far it's done a great job of keeping the car dust free.

https://www.carcoverstore.com/jaguar...ertible-2-door

 

For cars in the garage, I no longer waste money on car covers. I just use sheets and or light quilts. Frees up space in closet, free, or cheap if you must buy, light weight. Use, wash, re-use, don't scratch. If it works, is it really a bad idea?

 

[img alt="I buy 1 every year works amazing adresses all of the concerns. Fl sun protection no paint issue.
"]https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jaguarforums.com-vbulletin/720x1600/screenshot_20250324_052629_amazon_shopping_28b4f26 58ddf8c4a9bc7bbf0953d3ee3a7197bfa.jpg[/img]
I buy 1 every year works amazing adresses all of the concerns. Fl sun protection no paint issue.

 

man that sounds incredibly frustrating, especially having to pay for return shipping on a defective product not once but twice. honestly, if the lining is turning to dust in just a few months of warm weather, it sounds like the material just can't handle uv exposure or heat at all, which is wild for an 'all climate' cover. leaving your car exposed for six weeks while they inspect it is just bad service too.

i actually gave up on covercraft a while back for similar reasons. recently i was helping my neighbor who parks outside and we found some solid Ford Escape covers here that have been holding up really well in the sun without any of that dusting issue. you might want to check if they have something for your portfolio, because dealing with that residue every time you want to drive is just not worth the hassle.