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car covers

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:52 am
by ranald
Hello, Can anyone recommend a company making half car covers (for outdoor use) suitable for the typical perpendicular style of 1930s saloons? I've been speaking to Classic Additions Ltd but they really only make these 1/2 covers for modern cars. Thanks, Ranald

Re: car covers

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:57 am
by Phillmore
I bought a Classic Additions full outside cover for the Conquest and it only lasted one season! Not happy considering the price. I now use a Halfords cover at a fraction of the price and far better quality.

Re: car covers

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:08 am
by ranald
Thanks for your reply Phillmore. I'll have a look at Halfords. I might be able to buy something and adapt it for my purposes. I just want a half cover as its easier to store in the car and easier to handle for the odd occasion when my car might not be under cover overnight or perhaps at a show when the heavens open.

Re: car covers

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:36 am
by Sydsmith
Living as I do by the sea in West Wales I have never found anything that begins to be half decent in the way of a car covers.

The best I get is a couple of years, they start out fine but are soon destroyed by the sun and wind and it matters not how you tie them down once the wind gets under them the tie holes rip and the cover comes off.

The best seems to be an up and over car cover but they do take up a big space.

Re: car covers

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:08 am
by Stan Thomas
A problem with a car cover is that the heat generated underneath can fry the windsceen rubbers if left on too long.

Re: car covers

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:39 pm
by Fossil
Something to be aware of with car covers is that the fabric and any retaining cords, if made to vibrate by strong winds, can erode through paintwork surprisingly quickly.

Regards

Geoff

Re: car covers

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:23 pm
by simonp
Yikes is all I will say! Was considering using one myself but maybe not after what I have read.

SimonP

Re: car covers

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:48 pm
by Phillmore
The Halfords covers only cost £60 so if they disintegrate within a season then no great expense compared with other covers costing hundreds of pounds. The Halfords covers have the seams on the outside so no marking of the paintwork that I've seen although you might need to 'insulate' some of the clips if they bear on the paintwork. I unwrapped one of the Conquests at the weekend after its Winter slumber and all was good inside and out and the cover is still in one piece.

Re: car covers

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:30 pm
by Fossil
Rather than buy a cover with all its potential difficulties in a place prone to heavy rain and high winds, I bought one of those temporary garages with a stout tubular metal frame and equally stout fabric cover, 3 x 6 metres. I've only fitted the roof panels and left the sides and ends off. It is also sheltered by some mature conifers. The 8 frame feet are each pinned to the ground with four long tent ground pins. So far it has withstood at least three full years of storms without damage and it keeps the worst of wind and rain off very well, although the car within does need washed regularly due to leaf and such debris blown about. The usual resident is a modern, a BMW drop head, which is kept almost as dry and protected from UV as if in a proper garage.

It's been so good I'm not sure when I'll take it down. Definitely worth the £200 or so that it cost.

The XJ12 DD6 I used to have was an accident dented car rescued from an insurance write-off merchant. It was transported to the body repair business that restored it on a transporter with a tarpaulin cover. The slipstream during a journey lasting less than one hour caused the cords retaining the tarp to vibrate and rub through to bare metal in several places on the front and rear wings. This was surprising but in the circumstances was not a major issue because a full respray was done after it was straightened out.

We get similar prolonged strong winds several times each year with winter storms.

Regards

Geoff