Car covers

I hoping to buy a mk1 Rivage/Sportline in the next few weeks as I have a few to go check out. My question is can anyone recommend a good breathable car cover to store it under.

My garage isn't going to be ready for a few weeks and am just looking for an interim measure.

I've read some negative things about car covers and them damaging paint work etc, all comments welcome….

I don't really just want to stick it on the drive due to birds dropping all over it etc etc..

I had a covers on my cars before and I washed waxed and polished before putting under cover.

The paint blistered sligthly and still got scratched.

I have just ordered some pattern paper off ebay and am going to make a half cover to the top, down the widow  level at the scraper seals, to the edge of the boot and to the bottom of the windscreen.

I have heard you can wrap fleece over the car to protect the paint? Not many birds about in winter they tend to migrate etc.

It does lead to the question is a half cover or full better? Anything that will move in the wind will rub where it touches, plus if the fleece gets damp will this hold the moisture against the Paint.

So covered or uncovered…????

My sportline is garaged but I was thinking about getting a cover as well but tbh I havent read many if any positives just negatives about covers ??

It's an interesting subject because I've asked the same question on edition 38 forum and a few members have been positive about car covers, especially using Tarpaulin?

Tarpaulin is just plastic, and I wouldnt rub plastic over my paintwork.

Stormforce covers are good

Proper Tarps are canvas impreganted with waterproofer. So are very heavy, so don't blow about as much.

I haven't decided yet as to what material to use as yet.

Canvas is hard and not something I would put on my car.

Wouldnt want it rubbing on the paint.

The problem with the light plastic Tarps is they will blow about and more likely to tear. I have had a few covers and yet to find one that is great, there was a post on here before about stormforce not being that good iirc.

found it..

The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Only problem I see with the stormforce is it only comes down half the wheels.

Problem can be solved by buying a cover for a slightly bigger car.

Not really a tailored fit though. Seems expensive buying a bigger size and it not fitting, may as well buy a cheaper one from halfords, machine mart etc.

I am not bothering with a full cover this winter. Reading through here shows as pointed out more negs for a cover than for. Unless you got loads of money for a carcoon air chamber or permabag.

A good wash, polish and wax up half cover should do.
What you putting on yours Ceri or have you a garage now?

I have the stormforce mk1 cover for my sportline. It was expensive at the time. I rarely use it outdoors only when it goes into storage for the winter - really just to keep the dust off.

When I have used it outdoors it does strap down well with two buckles to go under the belly of the car, however it does as bignorm says only cover half the wheels.

Big norm just sent you a pm.

That's the issue though Hugh, if you don't have access to proper cover ie garage, massive shed etc, then your stuck as to what to do, having never had a garage and cars outside, I have ended up with having to go outside to keep recovering the car after strong winds and it ending up with blistered paint and swirls and scratches.
So you take ages re polishing the swirls out.

THIS is what I use, never had any problems with paint damage, works a treat. Perfect size for the mk1 too!

I also have the cheaper halfords one, which I use when I'm at work as my car leaks.

The stormforce one is padded so wont mark the paint (if used correctly)

Im not fussed about it only covering half the wheel.

Afterall they are designed to protect the paintwork.

At the moment mine is in a garage, but once outside ill be buying a stormforce cover.

Once the straps are attatched the cover wont budge.

I bought one of the covers in the link above but returned it as its quite a harsh material.

Depends how anal you are about your paintwork.

Ok, I might look into some of your suggestions..

I know this thread was started over a month ago but…

If you're after an outdoor cover I would always recommend that you invest in a waterproof and breathable cover. Some covers are water resistant, which is kinda meaningless. They'll resist some water and let the rest through, may as well not cover your car really. Breatheability is essential too. Moisture will gather on the surface of your car even when covered due to condensation. If the cover isn't breatheable the moisture will remain trapped under the cover and start to cause mould and in extreme cases, rot.

Also make sure it's a tailored cover.  A semi fit or one size fits all cover is going to move about in a breeze and this movement will cause abrasion against your paintwork.

With any cover it's essential to make sure the car is properly cleaned (2 bucket method) prior to covering or any grit on the paint when it's covered may cause abrasion.

If you want all these features then you're going to have to pay for them.  If you're not that bothered and just want to cover the car, then then you can get a cover from Halfords for about 50 quid.

2 yrs 1 month :-)

Haha oops   technically, that's over a month