To sheet or not to sheet!

[tyasman]

Here's a poser! (The question, not me!) I have a cotton car cover which I used to use to protect a steel bodied car (TR3) in my (unheated) garage in winter. I am wondering whether I should cover my '70 Elan in winter or just leave it unprotected. The cloth is bound to get a bit damp, so will it affect the paintwork, which is in excellent condition? Thanks for any replies.

[redskatejbf]

I would not cover the car and I am speaking from experience. I buggered up a Robin Alabaster respray to my Elan by covering it with a pure cotton made to measure sheet. It developed the pox in most areas, it looks the worst on damp days but not to bad on sunny warm days if left in the sun.
Regards, John.

[zarelan]

I'm in the same conundrum. A couple of years ago I bought a high quality custom indoor cover for the winter, one of those fleece type you see often in classic car shows. My garage is also unheated and can get damp. However after reading some posts here and elsewhere I stopped using it, fearing it might damage the paintwork if used over several weeks in a damp environment. It's supposed to be breathable and all that, but I'm not sure it's totally safe.

--Antonio

[elansprint]

I am with John do not cover it may well cause micro blistering very expensive to get rid of
Ian

[cabc26b]

I left a fresh painted ( summer before) shell in a trailer parked out side unheated. The shell was covered with a combination of blankets ( non-woven) and padded packing blanckets ( one was cotton. AND ..... nothing happend to the paint. I am sure the climate in the SE US is different and I am pretty sure the paint is not the same as what is on the cars that blistered.

I have always stored my car with covers in unheated space. for about 2 years 13 years ago I had a elan in the mid-atlantic under cover in a garage with a dirt floor. No "micro blistering" on this one either.

G

[elansprint71]

13 years ago I had a elan in the mid-atlantic under cover in a garage with a dirt floor. No "micro blistering" on this one either.

G

Where did you live- Atlantis?

[gjz30075]

Mid Atlantic is a region in the US that covers, roughly the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina. Am I right, Cabc? Although, after re-reading it, it does sound like its in the middle of the ocean.

Greg Z

[cabc26b]

Greg wins the geography test - Ian did you really think I parked the car under water or maybe upset that the regional vernacular was not something everybody knows like the the Humber ?

[richardcox_lotus]

I have also experienced micro-blistering on my boot lid after using a "breathable" cotton cover in an unheated garage.

Dirty cars can always be washed; microblistering requires repaint.

So I only use my car cover for an hour or two if carrying decorating materials through the garage !

Richard
'72 Sprint