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09-17-2014, 10:05 AM | #1 |
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car covers 101
There might be a situation where I may leave my car parked outside and I'm considering a car cover to protect from the elements. Anyone in a similar situation? I don't live in a humid climate (Toronto), so no concerns about covering it immediately after a long drive and parking? Should I bother getting a lock for the cover? Should I even bother w/ a cover vs convenience of just leaving/going w/ a 'naked' car?
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09-17-2014, 01:00 PM | #2 |
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Personally, I would leave it uncovered and just wash it once or twice a week (automatic, touchless car wash)
My understanding is that paint can get damaged due to trapped moisture http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...-History-by-KC Apparently all covers let water in during heavy rain, and I would rather go through car wash more often than have to deal with clear coat damage. |
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09-17-2014, 01:19 PM | #3 |
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How long do you plan to keep it parked for? If you're still driving it every day then I wouldn't get a cover as it's quite a hassle to put on and take off especially when it gets dirty. If you fold it wrong, the dirty side will get on to the clean side and you'll just scratch the paint when you put it on again. Just easier to wash the car more frequently.
I got several car covers that I use when I leave town for more than 2 weeks. I got them on Taobao for roughly 150rmb each and works/fits great. I forgot the exact place I bought it but its something like this. http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm...d55e27b&pm_id= Keeps the extreme heat of HK out of the cabin for the Z3 that I park outdoors. For the Z4 which is already parked indoors, I use the cover to prevent damn cats from fucking on my hood and scratching the shit out of it. I'm serious, them damn cats choose to fuck on my black (extremely hard to maintain) Z4 and not the other 3 cars for some weird reason.
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09-17-2014, 01:56 PM | #4 |
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Thanks for your comments. Haven't thought about the car starting to get dirty, then putting a cover on it, itself getting dirty and then re-covering the car w/ it. Arrgh, such a pain.
The car might be outside permanently. Maybe I just have to wash it more often. Just curious what's the pt of a cover if during rain it lets in water more? So for long-term outside but I use the car daily, no pt of having a cover? |
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09-17-2014, 03:41 PM | #5 |
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If you put a good coat of wax on it you should not have a problem leaving it uncovered. Just make sure you spritz it off every once in a while.
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09-17-2014, 06:02 PM | #6 |
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If you cover it dirty, the wind is blowing you will be just scratching the paint. Then it's covered dirty and now raining and the cover sticks to the car, you will be doing more damage to the paint vs leaving it uncovered.
Uncovered NOT under tress and other areas where debris will fall on it. As stated wax, wax and more wax to keep her paint fresh and easily washable.
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09-17-2014, 11:22 PM | #7 |
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Mine has never been garaged since 7/2010. I've wornout two bmw z4 covers. I never wax cars, only bug/tar spot cleaners. There is a patina now after 4 years that likely resulted as much from hand washing, no detergents, and bath towel low quality drying as from covering.
Maybe Titanium silver gets a pass for this treatment compared to other paint colors. I do admire you owners that pamper your paint.
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09-18-2014, 08:39 AM | #8 |
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that Patina is called primer.
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09-18-2014, 10:03 AM | #9 |
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09-19-2014, 01:36 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
I think if you don't wash careful or wax you might have been better off not covering, and running through automatic carwashes regular.y. |
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09-27-2014, 12:24 AM | #11 |
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The cover is the solution for so many threats to the appearance inside and out. Be smart.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-BMW-...-/280853085876
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PM for various e89 parts 4sale. Last edited by z4z4z4; 02-04-2015 at 01:38 AM.. |
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09-28-2014, 06:07 AM | #12 |
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I only use my cover if I'm going away/not using the car for more than a week. Then I'll wash it, fit the cover and job done. It stops bird crap etc sitting on the paint.
Always give the cover a rinse off before removing to rid and coarse particles. |
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