Car Covers

[Andrew G]

Hi
I can see old posts on car covers - ie use them at your peril - but have there been improvements in recent years? Would appreciate any comments as I am about to lose my garage...

thanks
Andrew
(UK)

[Sea Ranch]

If you're going to be parking off-street, how about those temporary "structures"? Allows air flow and would prevent condensation and rubbing (the two problems with fabric covers that lay on the car itself).

Welcome to the forum, Andrew

[Donels]

I bought an all seasons one from a reputable supplier and it was rubbish. Flapped a lot in winter winds, degraded severely from the UV, and the paint blistered. Lasted 12 months and binned it. Built myself an additional garage. Probably ok temporary but don't think it's a long term solution.

[Andrew G]

Thanks both - much appreciated! It's a First World problem, I realise. I had thought about one of those armadillo/snailshell/pram covers on a frame - perhaps if it were heavy duty it might give better winter protection?

Mine is an older, '68 model, if that makes any difference

Thanks again

Andrew

[ajwheels]

If it helps, I have my car in a driveway, off-street, and use a California Car Cover, Superweave, in grey, sewn specifically for the Elan......it is an outdoor cover, not water "proof" but "resistant".....and it is holding up well and I am happy with the results. I suspect the weather where one resides matters, but for me, in Southern California, it's mostly about the sun and dust and such....being near the coast, I get the overnight moisture, which dries quickly in the mornings. Having just been through a recent Tropical Storm, the cover was secured with a cord side-to-side and remained in place with 40 mph wind gusts....cover is machine washable, which I have done twice in the 2-plus years I have had it, and the material and stitching is holding up fine.....there is a 4 year guarantee, so we'll see......previous covers I have had, on the Lotus as well as my other cars, have lasted about a year or so before the material starts to break down and the seams start to separate, so I am happy with this one.....

[Andrew G]

Thank you!

Britain does not have sunshine but! it is very good at dust and moisture - and wind. I will look for something along the "temporary" lines that is sufficiently sturdy

Thanks
Andrew

[elanfan1]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carcoon/266377031815

[Andrew G]

Thanks for the link!

[davidj]

A friend used a carcoon to store his Lancia Delta Integrale over winter. Unfortunately the following spring his lovely paint job was no more with lots of pitting, particularly on the roof. It was sold immediately (the carcoon, not delta) on ebay and he built a carport.

[types26/36]

I have had two outdoor Carcoons and stored cars in them over winter, they work fine and my chrome and paintwork had no problems.
There are some disadvantages to using a carcoon and they are not cheap.
It’s a faf about to put the car in and out so not quick access so it really is a “storage” system and not a substitute for a garage.
Snow will collapse the carcoon which you can brush off but best not to leave it in contact with the car body.
The carcoon rocks badly in high winds although it never damaged it.
In my experience they only last about three years and then the stitching starts to rot.
The ideal place for one would be in sheltered place like under a carport .

[LaikaTheDog]

I have used covers for years and learnt from my first experience 20 years ago never to use on a fibreglass car, they destroy paint by trapping moisture.

2 years ago I read great things about a tailored outdoor car cover for my esprit.

A premium product for a premium price. After 4 weeks I developed blisters on the rear deck and by 3 months I needed 2.5k of paint correction.

Do not use a cover outdoors on a lotus, should have listened to my own advice.

[Andrew G]

Sound advice

[persimmon]

I`m in the same position - garage full already . Are we saying it would be better to just leave it outside uncovered ? Does the moisture that leads to microblistering penetrate from the outside ( through the paint ) , or from the inside ? Is this problem particular to the Elan + 2 ( All the TVRs I`ve seen have superb paintwork ) ?
As you can tell , I`m not a paintwork expert .

[alan.barker]

Perisimmon,
I have a TVR 3000M and when i bought it there were pimples everywhere. It's a problem with all grp cars.
Alan