| Car covers provide a great means for protecting your | | | | form on the paintwork. However, a breathable cover |
| prized possession. I will explain here car cover pros | | | | material will allow the condensation or any rain water |
| and cons, as well as describe the primary types of | | | | to evaporate, preventing damage to the paintwork. |
| covers and fabrics. | | | | Even the best outdoor cover is no substitute for a |
| DO YOU NEED A COVER? | | | | garage; however, a quality well fitted cover can |
| If you store your car outside, the advantage of having | | | | protect a vehicle from the elements adding many |
| a car cover can easily be seen. A cover will protect | | | | years of life to the paintwork/convertible top and |
| your car's paint finish and interior from harmful | | | | interior. Routine maintenance is also made much easier |
| ultraviolet rays. It will also protect the paint from the | | | | with the regular use of a cover. |
| acidity of bird droppings that can quickly eat through | | | | If you will be removing your cover shortly after/during |
| the finish. Tree sap, leaves, and other pollutants also | | | | a rain storm, be prepared to deal with a very wet |
| can stain or even ruin the paint. To repair the damage | | | | cover - some fabrics will retain much more water than |
| can be very time consuming, and possibly very | | | | others. If you do not have a place to let the cover dry, |
| expensive, depending on the extent. | | | | place it in a large bin or plastic bag until the weather |
| If you store your car indoors, a cover will provide | | | | conditions become more favorable. Allow the cover to |
| protection against dust and minor abrasions from foot | | | | air dry as soon as possible. |
| traffic. Thicker and heavier fabrics generally provide | | | | During winter months, if water forms on the paint |
| better abrasion resistance. Delicate paint finishes are | | | | surface and the temperature suddenly drops, the |
| best protected by cotton fabrics, although there are | | | | cover may freeze to the car. Allow time for the sun or |
| some synthetic materials that can provide similar | | | | rising temperatures to loosen the material before |
| softness characteristics. | | | | removing the cover. |
| SO MANY FABRICS - SO FEW CARS! | | | | Indoors, a cover can provide needed protection by |
| The variety and array of cover fabrics can confound | | | | diverting wandering eyes in public garages or |
| even an experienced textile professional. Listed below | | | | preventing minor scrapes or scratches in private |
| is a brief description of the three general categories | | | | residences. Fabrics made from 100% cotton provide |
| used in manufacturing substrates with pros and cons. | | | | the ultimate in softness and protection for indoor use. |
| WOVEN | | | | Polyester/cotton blends, and some synthetic fabrics, |
| Woven fabrics are stronger (greater tear strength) | | | | can also provide excellent indoor protection while being |
| and more durable than bonded or non-woven fabrics. | | | | suitable for occasional outdoor use. |
| These fabrics are manufactured on high speed looms | | | | Car covers can typically be washed in a home |
| with yarns that run both vertically and horizontally. The | | | | washing machine. More bulky covers should be |
| yarn size and density (count) can vary depending on | | | | washed in a commercial machine. Always wash in |
| the fabric design and specifications. Woven fabrics | | | | cold water with mild soap. Hot water and strong |
| usually fold and store compactly. They can be | | | | detergents can shrink and damage most covers. |
| comprised of natural or man-made fibers that are | | | | Additionally, a cover should always be hung to air dry. |
| often coated or treated for mildew, water and | | | | The high heat from a home or commercial dryer will |
| ultraviolet light protection. | | | | damage most covers. |
| NON-WOVEN | | | | HOW TO PURCHASE A COVER |
| These fabrics are usually comprised of polymer fibers | | | | There are several variables to consider before making |
| (polyolefins) that are compressed together under high | | | | your selectionincluding: |
| heat or with adhesives. These fabrics are usually | | | | Your Budget - This may limit your choices. For |
| thicker than wovens and warp knits but offer less tear | | | | example, universal covers can provide good to |
| strength and durability. The added thickness can | | | | excellent protection on a limited budget provided one is |
| provide excellent abrasion resistance. However, the | | | | selected that fits properly. (An outdoor cover that is |
| additional bulk can prove to be more cumbersome. | | | | too loose can cause damage from the excess |
| The properties inherent in these fabrics usually provide | | | | material flapping against the paint in the wind.) On the |
| good to excellent water, mildew and ultraviolet light | | | | other end of the spectrum, some high-endcustom |
| protection. | | | | covers are made with soft, durable fabrics that |
| WARP KNITS | | | | provide an excellent fit with superior protection. |
| Warp knit fabrics are manufactured on flat knitting | | | | Indoor Or Outdoor Storage -- Outdoor cover fabrics |
| machines that can resemble looms used for weaving. | | | | typically have water and ultraviolet light protection |
| The fabrics are usually comprised of polyester or | | | | which makes them ideally suited toward harsh outdoor |
| nylon yarns that run the length of the fabric to form | | | | conditions. Although indoor cover fabrics are often |
| interlocking loops. The yarn size and density (count) | | | | safe for occasional outdoor use, their exposure should |
| can vary depending on the fabric design and | | | | be limited. |
| specifications. Warp knit fabrics usually fold and store | | | | Fabric Selection -- Once you have determined your |
| compactly. They have excellent tear strength as well | | | | budget and identified how and where the cover will be |
| as water, mildew, and ultraviolet light resistance. | | | | used, it is time to select a fabric type. When phoning |
| A FEW CAVEATS AND PRACTICAL TIPS | | | | visiting a retailer or manufacturer ask for fabric |
| There are some things that need to be considered | | | | samples. There is no better way to compare fabrics |
| before purchasing a car cover. For example, most | | | | than to see and feel them. Additionally, this will eliminate |
| outdoor covers will repel a considerable amount of rain | | | | any questions or concerns regarding the quality and |
| but will not keep the car completely dry. A cover must | | | | weight of the fabric to be purchased. |
| be breathable to allow the paintwork to breathe | | | | Although the purchase of a quality cover will require |
| properly. If the cover material is not breathable, it can | | | | some preparation and fact finding, a properly selected |
| suffocate the paint which will cause it to discolor or | | | | cover can provide years of hassle free protection for |
| possibly peel. Since air is able to pass through the | | | | your vehicle. It will reduce the amount of time needed |
| cover, it is likely that water will eventually also work its | | | | for exterior maintenance, extend the life of the paint |
| way through the fabric to the paint. Even if it does not, | | | | and trim components, as well as enhance the overall |
| during rapid temperature changes, condensation will | | | | appearance of the vehicle. |