All weather car cover. Any use?

[TrundleAlong]

I am thinking of treating my car to an all weather car cover. Mainly to protect against the ice/frost during the winter months.

Are these things more trouble than they are worth?

 

[Fortune]

I have no advice on this, but someone on the next estate over uses on if these, and I'm bursting to have a look under it.

 

[Jazz01]

@TrundleAlong - I bought one ( just half cover) and found it excellent for the cold / frosty / snowing nights. No issues with frost on the car windows in the morning, but you need a place to hang it to dry out.

The one I have isn't great for windy weather, it's magnetic but not strong enough for the blustery nights. I've read reviews that the ones with cord / ropes to allow it to be tied down, can damage the car's paintwork, so I avoided those types.

 

[peemac]

An auld watering can of luke warm water is as good as you need for the few cold nights we get.

 

[Cervelo]

An auld watering can of luke warm water is as good as you need for the few cold nights we get.

Or if water isn't available, the old credit, debit, fuel or ps card is great for removing ice from windows

 

[Leo]

I think the full covers are only really suitable for vehicles you're not moving too often. They need to be secured all round to prevent them flapping in the wind and damaging the paintwork. If the car is in regular use you'll likely just give up using it.

My wife got one of the ~€15 windscreen covers that has magnets along the top but wraps inside the doors to keep it secure. It's way better quality than the cheap one I got from Lidl and works really well on the frosty days it saves 5 minutes faffing around with water and scraping then dealing with condensation on the inside. You can get some of these that will cover the mirrors and side windows.

 

[myate]

I think the full covers are only really suitable for vehicles you're not moving too often. They need to be secured all round to prevent them flapping in the wind and damaging the paintwork. If the car is in regular use you'll likely just give up using it.

100% on the paintwork issue. And if using these for classic cars you have to watch for humidity/condensation building up underneath, so not a good substitute for a garage unfortunately.

 

[Leo]

And if using these for classic cars you have to watch for humidity/condensation building up underneath, so not a good substitute for a garage unfortunately.

Yeah, you can get ones that are breathable, but I'd agree, never going to be as good as a garage.

 

[Jazz01]

My wife got one of the ~€15 windscreen covers that has magnets along the top but wraps inside the doors to keep it secure

Just be aware of those that connect to the inside of the car door - if it rains while you have the cover on, then the inside of the car will get wet from the water soaking through the material itself.

 

[Leo]

Just be aware of those that connect to the inside of the car door - if it rains while you have the cover on, then the inside of the car will get wet from the water soaking through the material itself.

Good to note but hasn't happened us yet. Perhaps how well the door seals might be a factor.