bees@drux3.UUCP (10/02/83)
I recently purchased a new car. Because I do not have a garage and
do not want to wash my car every other day, I am in the market for
a car cover. I don't really know what I should be looking for. I
have a catalog from "Reliable Motoring Accessories" that lists two
types of covers. The first is called "Durasoft" and is an 8 ounce
poly/cotton blend with "3M Scotchguard". The second, slightly more
expensive is called "Durashield" and is an "Evolution 3" fabric from
Kimberly Clark. Also listed is an optional "Theftguard" which is a
steel cable and padlock that hooks through the cover under the auto.
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on these covers or on
covers in general? Any sources of info about covers? How about the
use of covers in cold and snowy climates? For the record, my car is
a 1983 Toyota Supra (performance type).
Ray Davis AT&T Information Systems Labs @ Denver (303)538-3991
{ihnp4|hogpc}!druxy!beesdbg@ihldt.UUCP (10/03/83)
I purchased a cover from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories last spring (for my Supra S) and consider it a good investment. It fits quite nicely. I live in the land of COLD winters and HOT summers. (Chicago area) On hot summer days I keep the car covered constantly. At night I use it only during the middle of the summer. In the spring and fall the dew tends to get pretty heavy. That means the cover will be wet in the morning so I don't put it on the night before. If it is cloudy or rainy, I never use it. As the weather gets colder I will probably use it less. I would never put it on overnight if I thought it would be frozen to the car the next morning. In short, I believe a car cover to be a protection from the ravages of the sun primarily. If you're worried about snow and ice, you really need a (NOT HEATED) garage. I stored my Supra last winter and will probably do that again this winter. Also, for you Supra owners who haven't experienced icy roads yet, BE VERY CAREFUL. The combination of fat tires, positraction rear end, and lots of torque will cause that car to swap ends VERY easily. ihldt!dbg
bees@drux3.UUCP (Ray Davis) (10/13/83)
Since there may be some general interest in car covers, I am posting
here the replies to my questions about car covers. After the replies
I am also posting some product and pricing information.
Here are the replies I have received:
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I recently read an article in C&D that recommnded a car cover that
is water-resistant rather than water-proof, aone way or the other
I don't recall correctly. At any rate the basic content of the
discussion was that you should get a cover that allows water to
pass through - washes dirt away and allows better ventilation for
drying purposes. What was suggested was that the water-proofed
covers trap moisture between the cover and your car. Bad. Where
as the water resistant do not. I don't know what they say about
acid rain though.....
[ second reply to my asking what issue of C&D]
The issue was either Aug. or Sept. '83. I'm not sure which
one. The article was a "Special Advertising" section. It
covered what you should and shouldn't do to a newly purchased
vehicle. I thought it was informative and agreed with what
I had gathered over the years about cars in general. I do
believe the magazine cover story was on the new Dodge Daytona
if that helps any.
----------
Rule one of car covers: do not get something that is
totally waterproof, it will trap moisture under it. Get one
that is 'breathable'. Rule Two: tie it down, do not depend
on the elastic to hold it on the car. Rule three: find some
method to prevent its being stolen.
I had a MG Mitten "Tan Flannel" car cover for my 320i
for about three years. It was a very heavy poly/cotton. It fit the
car pretty well. Great in the summer, no greenhouse effect, the car
would still be warm, but not hot. A bit of a pain in the winter,
as it would sometimes freeze to the car, leaving fuzzies when you
pulled it off (the flannel was fuzzy inside), but still was usually
faster, since I didn't have to scrape frost/snow/ice off all the windows
and it usually came right off, if a little stiff with frost. Rain is
another problem, you need somewhere to put it when its soaking wet.
Sometimes I put it in the vinyl passenger seat, sometimes I carried
a plastic trash bag to stuff it in. I went ahead and put it on the car
wet, easy way to dry it out. Didn't hurt the paint. Run it through
the washer and drier once in awhile. It was stolen a few weeks ago.
After debating whether to replace it, I've ordered a 100% cotton one
from Beverly Hills, feeling that the cotton might be a little softer.
I also got the locking cable option, and I may hook it into an alarm
system.
----------
A couple of years ago, we bought a cover from J.C. Whitney (mail-order,
Chicago) for our new Honda Accord. The cover is heavy cotton, is machine -
washable, and cost ~ $70. Its great as far as cover are concerned, but
after the first six months or so, it became just too much hassle to fool
with. Now it just sits in the back of the car and protects/hides things we
put back there. Hardly worth $70!
If I wanted to rip off someone's cover, the "locking" mechanism you mention
would hardly be a deterrent. My trusty pocket knife or other tool would
simply cut out the attached portion and still be enough to cover another
car, even without repairs.
In summary, I suggest you buy the cheapest, washable, cotton cover you can
find. You will probably tire of hassling with it or it may get stolen long
before it is worn out. And, 2 cheap ones probably cost about the same as a
"deluxe" one.
----------
My father restores and shows antique cars (early 1930s) as his hobby.
>From his experience, I recommend a Beverly Hills Motors cover. They are
soft blue cotton, and the best he's found. If you want the address, let
me know (I don't have it with me at work).
----------
Thanks to all who replied!
Here are some products and their prices:
COMPANY MODEL COSTS (dependent on car size/model)
Beverly Hills Blueguard 84.95 - 104.95 (+$6 shipping)
100% cotton, Scotchguard, elastic front & rear, double stitching,
tie down for high winds, 2 year guarantee, lifetime guarantee
against harming paint, Lockguard (+$10).
MG Mitten Duricon 77.95 - 109.95 (+$6 shipping)
cotton/poly blend, lock (+$10).
MG Mitten Technicon 92.95 - 124.95 (+$6 shipping)
new fabric, waterproof yet breathable, lock (+$10).
MG Mitten Tan Flannel 99.95 - 134.95 (+$6 shipping)
flannel (cotton?), napped underside, lock (+$10).
Reliable Tan DuraSoft 84.95 - 104.95 (+$6 shipping)
cotton/poly blend, Scotchguard, elastic front & rear,
double stitching, lifetime guarantee against harming paint,
CableLock (+$10).
Reliable Tan DuraShield 99.95 - 119.95 (+$6 shipping)
"Evolution 3" fabric, does not absorb water, water resistant,
breathable, acid rain proof, lightweight, lifetime guarantee
against harming paint, CableLock (+$10).
Full page (or 2) ads for these companies are in most issues of major
auto mags. The above info was from ads in the September '83 Road & Track.
I think I will get either the Beverly Hills or the Reliable DuraShield.
My neighbor has a Reliable DuraSoft and is very happy with it. Although
the DuraShield fabric has not been around long, I am tempted to try it.
It claims to be breathable and water resistant, plus the fabric is
lightweight (20% less than most covers) and will not absorb water.
This should make for a faster drying car and cover. In either case, I
plan to get the cable lock that runs under the car. It may not keep
some from stealing the cover, but at least it will hold it down if the
wind blows the cover off. Here in Boulder CO we have low crime, but
seasonally high winds.
Ray Davis AT&T Information Systems Labs @ Denver (303)538-3991
{ihnp4|hogpc}!druxy!beesfdt1@fluke.UUCP (Frank Tomlinson) (03/13/84)
I realize there have been car cover discussions on the net before which
resulted in a summary list by Ray Davis. At that time the new Reliable,
Tan Durashield "Evolution 3" fabric had just come out. Does anyone
have experience with this type of material? The combination of not
absorbing water and being water resistant plus breathable make it very
attractive for anyone living in the moderately wet Seattle area.
Are there are bad things about covers in general?
All replies are greatly appreciated.
Thanks !!
Frank Tomlinson
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
{uw-beaver,decvax!microsof,ucbvax!lbl-csam,allegra,ssc-vax}!fluke!fdt1