Car Covers

[dkirsch78]

Hi all -

This may be a dumb question, but I've never owned a car cover before. I recently bought an M3, and while I do park in a garage, it is one of those apartment building garages that gets very dusty/dirty. Since I travel a lot for work, there are periods where the car sits for up to 10-14 days at a time.

Should I be concerned at all about the paint getting scratched up from the car cover? Do any of you have any recommendations on brands that are going to be safest? I've searched for something lined with microfiber, but have not been able to find anything. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Eric S]

covers are great for protecting the paint, etc. But if there is dirt under the cover, its going to get scratched up, very minor stuff though. Still better than nothing IMO

[dkirsch78]

Originally Posted by Eric S

covers are great for protecting the paint, etc. But if there is dirt under the cover, its going to get scratched up, very minor stuff though. Still better than nothing IMO

It's sounding more and more like washing the car right before I got out of town and covering it immediately is the way to go. Are you a fan of waterless washes? I've never tried it myself, but could be a convenient way to go for pre-cover.

[Eric S]

they have their place...if lightly dusty, its ok. If its dirty, regular wash it. we are coming out with some of the necessity car care products, a waterless wash is one of them.

[AustinGelbM4]

I got a M4 Covercraft WeatherShield. Excellent cover but a
bit pricey.

[dkirsch78]

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

I got a M4 Covercraft WeatherShield. Excellent cover but a
bit pricey.

I came across that one in my search. What do you like about it? Do you wash before you cover it every time?

[matty088]

Cover king custom fitted with the satin material. Can’t be beat.

[shay2nak]

I cover my cars Get a duster and spray detailer / wax. Wipe the car down and cover. If the car is really dirty, then I'd wash it first.

[dkirsch78]

Originally Posted by matty088

Cover king custom fitted with the satin material. Can’t be beat.

Which one did you get?

[matty088]

Originally Posted by dkirsch78

Which one did you get?

Satin stretch. This pic doesn’t do justice. Google it

[matty088]

Originally Posted by matty088

Satin stretch. This pic doesn’t do justice. Google it

here

[dkirsch78]

Thanks, that helps. My concern is that there will be some limited water exposure, and I'm not sure the satin cover is good for that.

[matty088]

Nah. Don’t get satin then. Just looks so sexy.

[dkirsch78]

Originally Posted by matty088

Nah. Don’t get satin then. Just looks so sexy.

Ha, can't argue with you there.

[AustinGelbM4]

Originally Posted by dkirsch78

I came across that one in my search. What do you like about it? Do you wash before you cover it every time?

I have another Weathershield for over 10yrs on my 330Ci. It has done a FANTASTIC job protecting the car over the years (that car spends almost all day in sun, rain and sometimes wind). I got light gray (can't detect much color degradation even after all that exposure to the elements).

It's a custom fit. In the case of the M4, fit is PERFECT and snug including door pockets and roof shark fin antenna) .

Cover is light and folds up small. When not in use the covers are in the trunks of the cars.

I bought 2 optional tie downs to help secure the front and back when windy. M4 cover doesn't seem to need them but 330Ci seems to need them if winds exceed 20 mph. Heavy winds can cause flapping/flutter which will cause a bit of micro marring that even the slightest polish will remove.

I will leave the car under the cover out in the elements (days, weeks) (sun, rain) and when I remove the cover the car still looks like it was freshly washed and polished. (During heavy rain the car does get wet but somehow doesn't get dirty AT ALL (still trying to figure that part out)).

I cover the car "dirty" with no issues but not when car is filthy. If I drove in from rain and car is wet I DO NOT cover it.

I wasn't careful removing wet cover from wet car (recent rain) and I just pulled it and fabric tore (the over 10 yr old cover). I had to repair.

It is pricey at $300 plus but like I said so far its holding up great for a 14 year old cover.

It's too thin to provide any sort of ding protection.

Hope this helps. G/L