A car cover helps protect your vehicle from harmful elements, both inside and outside of your garage. Figuring out the right cover for your vehicle can be a confusing and time-consuming process, so below you will find the answers to a host of common questions abour car covers. Please use them to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Covers
How do I install a car cover?- What's the best way to remove a car cover?
- How do I store a car cover?
- How does a car cover stay in place?
- How do I properly care for my car cover?
- Do I need to wash my car cover?
- Will a car cover scratch my vehicle?
- What makes a car cover "custom"?
- Are there custom covers available for vintage automobiles?
- Is there a way to enhance a car cover's moisture-resistance?
- Will a car cover prevent vehicle theft?
- Are car covers easy to steal?
- Will lock-and-cable accessories damage my vehicle's paint job?
- Should I ever put a wet cover on my car?
- What are UVR inhibitors?
- How do I keep my car cover from damaging my vehicle's antenna?
- Is there an ideal weight for a car cover?
Car Cover FAQs Answers
How do I install a car cover?
There is no single correct way to cover your Porsche 911, nor any other car. That said, a universally easy way is to place your particular Porsche 911 car cover on top of your vehicle and cover the roof and windows first. If the cover has side-view mirror pockets, use them to cover your mirrors first and then unfold the rest. As a general rule, cover your front and rear bumpers last, snapping the entire cover into place via its elastic hems or an included lock-and-cable system.
What's the best way to remove a car cover?
As with putting one on, there is no single way to remove, for instance, your Corvette car cover. That said, an easy way is to fold the front and rear ends up to the roof, and then fold it up again, and so on, until the folds are a manageable size. Next, roll one side up to the roof, pulling everything together as you do until you can easily remove the rolled-up cover. This way works because it prevents your cover from dragging along your vehicle; it prevents your cover from dragging along the ground and picking up excess debris; and it makes the cover easier to safely store until its next use.
What's the best way to store a car cover?
If your auto car cover came with a storage bag, fold your cover up and store it within this bag when not in use. If there is no bag, fold the cover up and store it in a cool, dry place, preferably one that is as dust-free as possible. It is not advisable to crumple up your cover and throw it in a corner somewhere, as this can attract debris, leave the cover exposed, and take up unnecessary space.
How does a car cover stay in place?
Nearly every car cover, both custom F-150 car covers made specifically for that truck and universal ones alike, will have elastic hems at the bottom for fitting around a vehicle's front and rear bumper to hold the cover in place. If your cover allows, we also recommend using a lock-and-cable system (included with many models) to secure your cover to your vehicle.
How do I properly care for my car cover?
Proper storage is the single most important detail to remember as regards caring for your car cover. Take steps to ensure your cover stays dry, dust-free, and away from potential debris when not in use.
Do I need to wash my car cover?
As the point of any cover, like your BMW M3 car cover, is to keep your car clean, it picks up a fair amount of dirt, debris, moisture, and dust during use, especially when used outdoors. In general, a garden hose combined with a 1/4 cup of simple detergent will work. HOWEVER, the best way to clean a car cover varies depending on the particular model's fabric construction, so be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to figure out the best way to care for your particular car cover.
Will a car cover scratch my vehicle?
It shouldn't. Rather, it's job is to protect it. If a car cover is properly removed and stored, it should provide years of scratch-free protection. If you allow it to drag on the ground, or do not remove debris prior to storage, or do not properly fold and store it, then debris can sneak into the cover's fibers and potentially damage your vehicle's paint job. Proper care and maintenance of your car cover will prevent this from happening.
What makes a car cover "custom"?
Custom Camaro car covers, for instance, are made using a combination of machine-cutting and fiber-optic technology. A scanner reads the exact contours of a particular year, make, and model vehicle and inputs this information into a computer. That computer then has a bank of measurements from which to draw when orders are made, cutting each piece of cloth to each vehicle's exact specifications and then sewing the cloth in a form-fitting, snug cover that accentuates a vehicle's shape and contours.
Are there car covers available for vintage automobiles?
Absolutely. Vintage vehicle's maintain their value in large part based on their exterior condition. Auto Accessories garage has a host of covers to fit nearly every vehicle. Happy hunting.
Is there a way to enhance a car cover's moisture-resistance?
Almost every car cover you can buy will arrive pre-treated with moisture-resistant solutions. Buying Scotch-Guard or a similar water-repelleant solution for "extra protection" is a waste of money. Repelling moisture is one of an outdoor car cover's signature purposes.
Will a car cover prevent vehicle theft?
They certainly make it more difficult to steal a car. Consider that as a robbery happens, a car thief's biggest enemy is time. The easier and quicker a thief can get into your Honda, the less time he spends exposed and the faster he can get away. Having to first remove a Honda S2000 car cover increases this exposure time, and why would a car thief risk it if there's an uncovered target nearby? Covers also prevent random theft of in-vehicle valuables by hiding them from outside view.
Are car covers easy to steal?
Only if they are left unprotected. Many car covers come with a lock-and-cable accessory that tightens the cover and prevents it from being easily removed while locked. Another trick to prevent a cover from being stolen is to write the owner's name on the inside of it.
Will lock-and-cable accessories damage my vehicle's paint job?
Not if they are installed correctly. The cables themselves should be covered with a vinyl protection sheath to prevent them from harming your vehicle's paint job. The lock should hang below your vehicle or on the outside of the cover when in use to prevent its metal from contacting your paint job.
Should I ever put a wet cover on my car?
This is actually the best way to dry off a car cover if the sun is out. Since a cover should always be dry before being packed up, this should also be the only time someone would do this.
What are UVR inhibitors?
UVR stands for Ultra-Violet Rays, destructive and harmful sun rays. As with moisture-resistance, nearly all car covers, like your Dodge Challenger car cover, come pre-washed with UVR inhibitors to prevent cover degradation due to exposure to sunlight. You cannot smell, see, or touch these inhibitors, but they are there, doing their job.
How do I keep my car cover from damaging my vehicle's antenna?
Most vehicle antennas go down when not in use. Others will easily unscrew to accommodate a car cover. If your particular fixed antenna will not go down or unscrew, you should consider buying a custom car cover, as these will be cut to a vehicle's exact specifications, allowing for a fixed antenna's location.
Is there an ideal weight for a car cover?
This depends on the size of a vehicle's owner relative to that vehicle. A heavy, bulky cover can be a hassle to get off and on for a smaller or thinner person. An extra-lightweight cover is not necessarily a good thing in response, though, as these can be blown around in even a modest breeze. It is generally accepted that 4-7 oz. is a good range of sizes for just about everyone.
Conclusion
Hopefully the above answers proved helpful to you in your decision-making process. A car cover is a nice accessory for any conscientious vehicle owner to have, and if you have any further questions not addressed above, please call 800-663-1570 to talk to our helpful Customer Service staff today.
