Car covers buyers guide
Whether you park your vehicle indoors or outdoors, it is bound to be damaged by effects from mother nature such as dust, scratches, and scrapes.A car that has been damaged not only looks bad but also may develop mechanical issues.Thankfully this post is here to help you protect your car, truck or SUV from such harm.After a lengthy analysis of car covers detailing we came up with this ultimate shopping guide.
How do I choose a car cover?
Choosing the right car cover
Photo on ocdetailing.co.nz
If you need your car to be in good condition, it is necessary to protect it from damage.The best way to protect your car from damage is by using a car cover.But how do you make sure you are using the right car cover? Below are various different factors you need to consider.
Determining your protection needs
First of all, you need to understand what harm you are protecting your car from. For example, if your vehicle is outdoor you are going to protect it from the weather, which is different from indoor.While most people think that if their vehicle is parked indoor they do not need a car cover at all, the truth is there are different threats that can damage your vehicle even when indoors.For an outdoor car cover, the following factors may cause damage to your car.
- Hail- It is the biggest weather threat. Hails can cause dents and even break the windows and windshield.
- Wind- It can blow things to your car resulting in damage. Even worse you if the strong wind took down a whole tree falling on your car.
- Rain is also not friendly to your car-it can cause corrosion your paint job. It can even be worse if it is acid rain.
- Sunlight-It may not be all good as you think. A car left outside for too long in the sun may be damaged inside by the heat.
- Animals- Nobody likes finding bird droppings all over their car. Well if you think a good car wash will take care of the droppings, if this happens several times it may be hard to get rid of the stains. While some animals like bug could crash into your car.
- If you are parking under a tree, your car may not be safe from storms. And even when you think the weather is clear things can fall on the car causing scratches.
- Dust-Over time dust on your car will cause fading of the car’s paint.
Indoor only
Well if you park your car inside you may think you do not need a car cover. But you need to know that dust is a concern inside and moisture can also damage your car.While people especially if they are carrying things they may scratch your car by accident. If you have stored a lot of things in the garage there’s a chance they could fall on your car.If you are shopping for an indoor car cover, you should look for a light cover. Form-fitting car covers are good especially if it fits your car tightly. This gives less chance of the cover getting pulled off.
Indoor and Outdoor
If you are wondering if you can use your outdoor car cover indoors, then yes you can.However indoor car covers are made out of light material. This is to protect heat and condensation from being trapped between the cover and the car.Other indoor covers are designed in a softer way to protect to protect new paint.Hence indoor covers may not be as durable as outdoor covers.Unlike indoor covers, outdoor covers are designed to be waterproof and less absorbent.They are more UV-resistant and some may have additional hooks to attach to your car.This is important to protect your car from a storm.
Photo on jardinemotors.co.uk
Selecting style and material
It is important to choose the right material and style for your car cover so you are comfortable.There are a number of different materials that are used for car covers, but when shopping you need to remember the material you need depends on whether your car is stored indoors or outdoors, and what threats are likely to cause damage.For example, someone who stays in a relatively warm place will not need the same car cover material as someone living in an area with frequent storms.The person who stays in a relatively warm place will need a car cover which is highly rated for breathability and UV resistance, this is because the car will be subjected to heat.While the person living in an area with frequent storms will need a car cover which withstands water easily-the material should be perfectly waterproof.If you drive your car frequently, you will need a car cover which is lightweight and pulls off your car easily-you do not want to take a lot of time trying to remove and covering your car.However, if you are rarely driving you need a form-fitting cover that tightly covers your vehicle.For style, people have different tastes, while some want simplicity others to want a complex and modernized look. One would go for uniformity with the exterior and interior of the car and another would not like the uniformity. For whichever style that you choose to ensure your car cover mainly serves the protection purpose.
Measuring your vehicle and ordering
After you decide what you need the cover for-whether it is outdoor or indoor and whether it is waterproof or UV resistant, it is necessary to measure your vehicle from bumper to bumper, the outermost edge of your mirrors and top to bottom so that you can ensure the cover fits perfectly. The outermost edge of mirrors is side to side and top to bottom is the length from the bottom of the wheel to the uppermost part of your car.
Which type of car cover is best?
10 most popular car covers for your car
Photo on covercraft-pacificshop.com
Every car owner wants to protect their vehicle from damage. It is therefore not surprising that the market abounds with so many car covers. Having so many options at your disposal makes choosing the right car cover a difficult task.Below is a compiled list of top ten rated car covers in the market.
Leader accessories car cover
It is the most popular cover built with UV protection. It has a breathable material which is also waterproof. Leader cover has got windproof straps making it hard for it to be blown by the wind. It is so popular because of the specially fitted with UV filtering technology which makes it ideal both in rainy and sunny season. In addition, the leader accessories come with its own storage bag and can be used for both outdoor and indoor services.
Audew car cover
The Audew cover is waterproof, simple and inexpensive. It is generally suitable for most vehicles up to 200’’.Its heavy duty cotton material offers protection from all weather condition. The hard material is also waterproof and offers protection from dust, dirt and bird droppings. Most importantly it has a windproof design to ensure it is not blown away. It is also suitable for both indoor and outdoor services.Moreover, it can protect the car from UV rays as well as protect the vehicle from overheating.
Titan lightweight car cover
Titan car cover is a great way for protecting your car from harm. It is waterproof, incredibly lightweight and durable. Best of all, the cover is able to protect your car against harmful UV rays. The cover fits most salon including the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and many other car models.
Budge lite car cover
It is highly rated by customers as it is durable and has a waterproof design. It is inexpensive and has a tough fabric held together by double stitching making it no match for water, bird droppings, dust or dirt. The budge cover is designed mainly for indoor use but can also be used for outdoor for a shorter period. It comes with its own bag and is breathable to prevent the build-up mold and mildew.
Classic accessories overdrive polypro car cover
This cover is designed with a soft and durable fabric making it protect your car without removing your paint.It is available in most sizes and suitable for most vehicles.A classic cover is not only waterproof but also breathable to prevent the build-up mold and mildew.The best part is that it comes with a two years guarantee to ensure quality
Photo on covercraft-pacificshop.com
Kayme four layers waterproof all weather car covers
It is designed for indoor use. Kayme has four layers of fabric protection and has an aluminum layer to stop the sun UV from reaching your car.It also has a cotton layer to protect your paintwork from against abrasion and a PE coating to keep water out.In addition, it has front and rear straps to prevent the car from being blown away.The best part is the cover is equipped with reflective stripes to make your car visible and night thus protecting it from accidental knockouts.
Oxgord executive storm-proof car cover
The cover has a five-layer system making it offer absolute protection to your vehicle.It is composed of polypropylene layers and one each of a breathable porous film and a soft fleece.The porous prevent the cover from scratching your paint.It is available two sizes -fitting vehicles up to 204 inches in size. Thankfully it is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. Moreover, it is drawstring fit to keep it in place during the windy season. Each Oxgord comes with a bag enhancing its portability.
Motor trend OV-642 trueshield waterproof SUV and van cover
Motor trend cover is available in two different sizes perfect to fit vehicles up to 225 inches especially SUVs.It is a great option for larger cars.It is also a great option for harsh weather conditions as it can stand rains, storms, and snow.The cover is resistant against UV rays keeping your car safe from damage from extreme heat from the sun.It comes with a snug fit to keep debris away and a security cable to keep the cover secure and also prevent theft.
Xcar car cover offers quality protection and is inexpensive. It fits vehicles of up to 200 inches in length and is waterproof.
The fabric is breathable and protects the car against mold, mildew, and dust.It is also able to protect the car against scratches and dings.Xcar car cover is suitable for indoor use but can also be used for occasional outdoor storage. It comes with a storage bag and one year warranty.
Patented hail protector car cover system
The patented car cover comes in six sixes and is perfect for all types of cars. Thanks to its unique inflatable design it is able to protect your car against hailstone. It is also able to signal you when hails are moving to your area, thus you are able to activate the unique feature.It has a breathable fabric and thus can protect the car from UV rays from the sun, rain, dust, and sand.The best part is, it can be used every day as it is easy to fit and remove. However it is the most expensive in this list, but it is worth the investment.
Photo on carid.com
How does a car cover help?
Using a car cover comes with a number of benefits-below are some of the most important.
- Breathable fabric– A car cover is designed in breathable material to protect any moisture underneath the cover from escaping. The moisture in the exterior stays outside.
- Mildew resistant– Car covers offer excellent protection from molds and mildew from growing underneath your cover.
- Harsh weather resistant– Outdoor car covers protect your car from adverse weather such as heavy rainfall, snowstorms, and effects of strong wind.
- Soft interior-Indoor car covers are usually soft to ensure that your car underneath is always touched with care.
- Protection from thieves-Using a car cover is a good deterrent for potential thieves.
What is the best material for a car cover?
Best car cover material
Best cover material actually comes down to what is best to your situation. It can be really difficult to compare car covers, especially with different materials, styles, and brands.We hope that this post will walk you through and make your decision easier.
Universal, Semi-custom, or fully custom covers
Universal fit car covers
These are covers which you can easily find at any auto part store. They come in two to three sizes that are small, large and large. They are also inexpensive. Unfortunately, they are poorly rated by customers as they offer limited protection.
Semi-custom fit car covers
These covers are sized to the length, width, and height of the vehicle. They come in many designs. The elastic front and rear elastic hems snug the cover under the front and rear car bumpers. They are the top rated as they have good value, lifetime warranty and are the fastest in shipping.
Fully custom fit car covers
These are the most expensive covers but have the best quality. They may take several weeks to ship. Most of the custom covers have mirror pockets and are specifically designed for your car. They are highly recommended for a car cover which will fit exactly to the body lines of your car.
Material Quality-Platinum shield, ultimate shield, deluxe shield, basic shield
These are the four main car cover materials.
Platinum shield car cover
Platinum offers the highest quality in car protection and has the best solution to harsh weather condition. It is made of woven polyester fabric which provides great resistance to the water and sun heat. It also has a soft lining to enhance your car protection. Most sellers offer a lifetime warranty and are also a top grade.
Ultimate shield car cover
This cover comes second to platinum shield car cover. It is made of multilayer polypropylene to ensure breathability and keep moisture out. It also has a soft lining and comes with a warranty of about ten years. It comes with a free storage bag, lock set and antenna patch.
Deluxe shield car cover
This reinforced grommet cover is suitable for outdoor protection. It is made of special multi-layer polypropylene, with a layer of microporous film to ensure breathability and keep off moisture. It has a free bag and comes with a warranty of about five years.
Basic shield car cover
It is designed mainly for indoor storage. It can give great protection against dust and UV. The cover comes with a warranty of about three years.
Photo on walmart.ca
Is polypropylene car cover waterproof?
Waterproof car covers
Waterproof car covers offer great resistant to water. Even in the rains, it will simply shield your car from the water. These type of car covers are suitable for outdoor storage.Besides the rain, the waterproof car covers also protect your car from acid rain and other chemical compounds. A quality waterproof car cover is typically made from a polypropylene material with a plastic coated or microporous film. When the rain hits this material it beads up and rolls away.If the water pools on the hood of the vehicle, your vehicle will stay dry and free from any chemical compounds in the rains.You can lift the car cover and shake it to allow the water to drain.The best waterproof car cover in the market today is the Weather Guard Extreme. It is a semi-custom fit, with seven heavy-duty layer cover that is comprised of five layers of polypropylene, and one layer each of microporous film and fleeces inner lining. It cost about $174.95. Besides giving maximum protection from the sun it is also 100% UV resistant.The best part is it is lightweight, easy to install and comes with a lifetime warranty to ensure quality.