WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CAR COVER
1. Always remember the main job of a car cover:
T O K E E P Y O U R C A R C L E A N
Wouldn't you much rather see your car in its full glory, than cover it? Then don't cover it with something that doesn't do its job.
2. Check the storage conditions for your car: they determine what additional features your car cover should have.
3. Establish what materials have the features you need for your car.
STORAGE CONDITIONS VS. FEATURES REQUIRED (skip to quick reference guide)
A CAR COVER MUST KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN
In order to do that the material must be absolutely dust tight, not only for the car to look nice, but also because dust, especially in combination with moist can cause permanent stains on the bodywork.
Note: a car cover can keep your car clean, but it can NOT keep it dry nor can it prevent corrosion. Corrosion is often caused by condensation which is a physical process that a car cover has no influence on. Learn more about it here.
The cover must be gentle on your car's paint, therefore it must be
soft and smooth on the inside.
The material must also be sturdy enough to withstand scratches from sharp objects, like the zippers and buttons on clothes.
THESE ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY CAR COVER.
2.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS DEPENDING ON STORAGE CONDITIONS
If your car is parked near a window or under a glass roof, the cover needs to be
UV-resistant to protect paint and upholstery from damaging UV-rays, and to guarantee a long lifetime of the cover.
If the car is stored indoors but in an unheated environment, the cover must be
breathable to allow condensation* to escape, as well as
non-hygroscopic (= not moist absorbing) otherwise when condensation* occurs the cover will lie on your car like a wet cloth.
* Read more about condensation, and why a car cover can't prevent it, here.
Your car needs full protection, so the cover must have ALL of the above qualities
AND be
water tight - obviously
To be on the safe side, an outdoor cover is usually the best choice for use under a carport, but if the carport shields the car from wind and sunshine a breathable, non-hygroscopic indoor cover may be sufficient.
1.
OUTDOORS
CARPORT
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
I N D O O R S
O U T D O O R S
HEATED
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o
o
o
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UNHEATED
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o
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REQUIRED
FEATURES
dust tight
sturdy
soft
breathable
non-hygroscopic
watertight
UV-resistant
CARPORT
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●/o
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OPEN
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CAR COVER MATERIALS AND THEIR FEATURES
Car covers are available in various materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
NO material, hence NO car cover can prevent condensation or corrosion. Why not is explained here.
In general, knitted and woven fabrics are less dust tight as the weave/knit holes let dust through. This is particularly the case with stretchy material; the further it is stretched, the larger the holes become hence the less protection it offers from dust (and scratches).
Cotton and cotton-mix
Soft and supple, breathable. Machine washable, but subject to shrinking.
Woven material therefore not 100% dust tight.
Hygroscopic: attracts and retains moist, therefore unsuitable for use in damp storage conditions.
Polyester, poly-satin
Soft and supple, breathable. Nice shiny appearance. Machine washable, but may be subject to shrinking.
Woven/knitted material, therefore not 100% dust tight.
Non-hygroscopic, does not retain moist
Car cover material guide
(excel)