DIY Car Cover - Thoughts welcome

[Scooblitz]

So as per the title, i'm looking into making my own car cover for the Z as i don't have a garage and i would like something that will keep it better protected from the elements in Scotland's winter. I've had 2 car covers now and both we're useless. At roughly £30-40 a pop, i think a better solution is in order.
The car cover will need to be durable enough to withstand the rain, snow and strong winds that we get up so a heavyweight option is what i have in mind.

Materials;

Outer Layer of Canvas - Which can be waxable or treatable - Usually a good waterproof material already

Middle layer- Thin Rubber sheets - To add a bit of weight and protection

Inner layer - Polyester - much like the soft car cover dust sheets.

To keep it on the car in high winds, a few magnets sewn into the hems by the sills. Not sure how to connect all the panels together As i'd like it to be in some way foldable.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Sean d]

Not sure the materials you are considering are correct for te job, IMO the most important aspect of a car cover is that it can breath very well, if you trap moisture inside the cover you will cause massive problems to most aspects of the car

 

[Scooblitz]

Not sure the materials you are considering are correct for the job, IMO the most important aspect of a car cover is that it can breathe very well, if you trap moisture inside the cover you will cause massive problems to most aspects of the car

Certainly a lot to think about in terms of materials. I hoped that canvas would be able to protect the car from the rain and rubber to stop anything that seeps through the canvas from getting to the car. Any Polyester seems to be what a lt of the indoor covers are made from. Rubber would certianly hinder breathability so maybe a plastic or foam might be better.

 

[Stevo7682]

Stevie what you need is a material similar to our work jackets are made of ( breathable but pretty waterproof)
I think I still have a new jacket it come s with the card attached that explains the level of waterproof and breathablity the material has .

If I remember right the test for waterproof is to do with an inch square tube to which a piece of the material is attached to the bottom then it is how many inches of water the tube can be filled with before the material leaks through this converts to a number which is its rating on a scale for its waterproofing capacity for clothing .

So for talking at the bottom end you would a say light cotton ( breathable but not very waterproof)
And at the other end of the scale you would have something like pvc rubber ( very waterproof but way not so good on the breathability side of things)
You need a material that is both then a fleece liner to keep inners nice and soft against the paint.
Stephen.

 

[Bampz]

Last year we had the house roof refelted and battered and the material used to refelt the roof was waterproof and breathable , may be worth a visit to a builders merchant

 

[Nodzed]

I admire you trying to do this, but considering what you are trying to achieve I would put the money towards a decent purpose made cover, even doing it DIY wont be cheap and I fear you'll possibly fail. I realise good covers are expensive but they are made to do the job. Theres a saying pay cheap pay twice.

 

[Pingu]

Even expensive ones are problematic. I found that the biggest problem is the wind. The material flaps and is constantly smacking the paintwork where it's not touching and rubbing where it is.

We have cats, and they claw the tight material and make holes. The water does evaporate through the breathable fabric, but there are still water mark left where the water was.

My conclusion is that they are a waste of time and the money is better spent protecting the paint before winter and a wash in the spring.

I've got three outdoor car covers (Z3, 330 and Smart). All with different numbers of duct-tape repairs. I don't use any of them.

If you do decide to go ahead, make ringlet holes in them and secure them using the ringlets. Don't rely on elastic.

 

[billz]

I have got one that covers the car completely and tie it underneath to help prevent the wind picking it up i also lay 2x Xtra large thin fleece throws under it and remove it once a week when the car is not being moved to let the air properly circulate over the car then i tumble dry the fleece throws to ensure no moisture then refit around 4 hours after washing and drying the zed to ensure no residual moisture is present

 

[Pingu]

I have got one that covers the car completely and tie it underneath to help prevent the wind picking it up i also lay 2x Xtra large thin fleece throws under it and remove it once a week when the car is not being moved to let the air properly circulate over the car then i tumble dry the fleece throws to ensure no moisture then refit around 4 hours after washing and drying the zed to ensure no residual moisture is present

Jeez - that's a bit of a ball ache. I thought that the idea of a car cover was to wrap the car at the beginning of November and unwrap it at the end of March.

 

[billz]

Jeez - that's a bit of a ball ache. I thought that the idea of a car cover was to wrap the car at the beginning of November and unwrap it at the end of March.

Nope still uncover it in the winter months when the Zed aint hardly used just to let the bodywork breath fully

 

[train driver]

,I use a half cover to protect softop when car is laid up over winter, with that and a thick coat of wax for winter to protect paint no moisture gets trapped ( use it all year when car not being used)

 

[mwpe]

The best answer if you don't have a garage is a Carcoon.

 

[Stevo7682]

The best answer if you don't have a garage is a Carcoon.

Mike part of stevie,'s problem is he stays on the south side of Glasgow in a dead end street lined either side with 4 up Victorian sandstone tenements and every man and his dog has a car so parking is variable at best.

 

[mwpe]

Mike part of stevie,'s problem is he stays on the south side of Glasgow in a dead end street lined either side with 4 up Victorian sandstone tenements and every man and his dog has a car so parking is variable at best.

I see the problem what he needs is an armoured car cover.

 

[Stevo7682]

Yeah definitely Mike this is his street during the day .
You can imagine what it gets like in the evening.

 

[MalcQV]

I've had/have various classics and weekend cars. However because I am a cheapskate I only have a single garage but three cars total two of them toys (sort of my Z now doubles as a summer use everyday car).
So having had an Alfa Spider since 2011 up until last year, replacing it with my Z3 it had to be stored outside. Ideally an outdoor Carcoon is IMHO as good as a garage if in many ways better. A carport and Carcoon (probably an indoor one would be OK in that scenario). I have either no space or a missus that says "No" to a balloon on the drive So I go with a either a tailored (Z3) or semi tailored (Mercedes CLA).
The problem with covers is movement in the wind and dirt/grit.

1. Ensure both inside of cover and car is spotless before using the cover.
2. Ensure the cover fits snug and is fastened tightly with the straps to reduce movement in the wind.

Point 2 if you have a correctly tailored cover with straps (you are looking at £130+) and you are committed to point 1 then you should not have any problems. I have had a Specialised tailored Cover and my Z3 tailored cover (can't remember the company name) and both are superb and do not or have not scratched my cars
The only issue I have had are small pin like bubbles forming on the paint (My Alfa Spider) due to trapped moisture. The problem I was told by a classic restorer was a previous repair had not been done in a warm/oven environment. The fix for me was easy. Come summer take off the cover and as it dried out the bubbles disappeared.

Recently my semi fitted cover on my new Mercedes scratched it. This is because I had stored my car cover outside, off the car, for a couple of days and it has now got grit or dirt on the inside fleece lining. I will need to have it cleaned at a launderette if possible or throw it in the bin.

I use a cover to keep bird s*** off and having all red cars to prevent them turning pink. My Z3 is a bit faded in places and ready for pink
Up until recently I only covered them in winter but in attempt to protect my new car I used it for short periods. As above that is now back under consideration but I think probably not a good idea on the whole.

Carcoon or double/triple garage is the answer

 

[Ianmc]

Our E36 323i convertible lives outside, used most days and washed each week or so, all year round. No problems at all.

 

[JohnE]

Hi. I have just joined this group and I pick up my 2009 roadster tomorrow. Been looking at breathable covers because my garage is a single version and is already full. I am begining to wonder given the issues with folk having had covers producing all sorts of issues that I
a) just leave the car outside with no protection other than a good waxing
b) buy just a top half cover which will go over the screens and roof.

Expert opinions please before I go out and buy something. Cant have a Carcoon either so that one is out of the window as well

 

[MalcQV]

Hi. I have just joined this group and I pick up my 2009 roadster tomorrow. Been looking at breathable covers because my garage is a single version and is already full. I am begining to wonder given the issues with folk having had covers producing all sorts of issues that I
a) just leave the car outside with no protection other than a good waxing
b) buy just a top half cover which will go over the screens and roof.

Expert opinions please before I go out and buy something. Cant have a Carcoon either so that one is out of the window as well

I was only looking on another forum this morning. A US based one but it did highlight this. Outdoors though, look at the price

https://www.autopyjama.com/shop/overview/

 

[JohnE]

seems a bit steep to me to be honest. I honestly wonder whether or not its worth bothering