Protecting Your Car with a Car Cover

For most of us, apart from our houses, our car is our biggest single financial investment. It seems to make sense therefore that we should take care of it in the best way possible to keep it as near to showroom perfection as possible. That way we can not only feel proud to drive it, but also protect our investment. One way to take care of our car is with a car cover. However, surprisingly few people take the trouble to inform themselves about the different types of car covers and which is best suited to their car.

When buying a car cover it is important to do your prior research into the different types available - and there are many. Although there are two obvious main categories: indoor and outdoor, there are number of subcategories: waterproof; 'breathable' water resistant and fabric, often cotton, acrylic or polyester, which is non-water resistant. Choosing the right type for your car means analysing what you expect the cover to do.

If you keep your car in a garage, you probably want to protect it from dust, objects falling or brushing against it, and possibly household pets. In this case a thick, soft cover, preferably lined with fleece to make it more 'breathable' (thus preventing trapped moisture), should give your car all the protection it needs indoors. The outer cover can be cotton or cotton mix material, or flannel for softness and warmth.

The choice of indoor covers is much easier than outdoor ones, where the range is usually much greater. In the great outdoors our cars may need protection from any number of hazards, natural or man-made. These can range from extreme weather conditions to the vagaries of nature: bird droppings, falling tree sap and tiny creatures with sharp claws or dirty paws. For seaside dwellers, there is also the risk of salt in the air and in windy weather anywhere the problem of damage from airborne objects. With a well-secured car cover, you are also protecting your car from car thieves, who usually prefer to be able to make a quick getaway.



Outdoor covers need to be waterproof or water resistant, but at the same time must allow the circulation of air around the car to prevent condensation which can damage the paintwork over a long period of time. A waterproof cover alone therefore is not enough. This may protect from a number of damaging effects but for full paintwork protection, a soft, 'breathable' inner lining is essential.

The fit therefore is important. It is far better to pay a little extra for a tailor-made cover for your car. This will ensure a tighter fit and minimise the risk of lifting and flapping around in the wind which could scratch the paintwork.

We all aspire to maintain that showroom sheen and the benefits of this are more than skin deep. Tiny particles of trapped dust and grit can scratch the paintwork if the cover is battered by high winds, or when pulling it on and off. For this reason, it's important to learn the best way to fit and remove the cover smoothly - not merely to protect the paintwork, but also to save valuable time.

Look for a cover that is washable as this will preserve its life and its protective qualities, as well as being gentler on your car. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for storage, cleaning and maintenance and if your car could thank you, it certainly would!
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