Cheap Outdoor Car Cover

[Christopher R.]

I rent a vacation cottage for a few weeks in the Summer, and I'd like to bring my '62 there at least for a few days. My '62 was painted 35 years ago in lacquer. Now it's a decent looking driver - a "10 footer", and I'd like to keep it that way. A problem with the cottage is that the only parking is under some tree that drips sap and other crap. My civilian car gets filthy. But it has a modern clear coat finish that seems to withstand the tree crap. I'm not so sure about the 35 year old lacquer.

I'm thinking I could cover it with a cheap (but breathable) cover. One of those $40 jobbies on EBay. I wouldn't mind throwing it away afterwards. I don't want to spend the money on a good outdoor cover for a few days coverage. I'd consider springing for a good cover if I were certain I'd bring the car to the cottage and get some use out of it. But I'm not. I'm looking for a cheap temporary solution. If the solution is more trouble than its worth, then I'll just leave the car at home in its garage.

Comments?

[Perry M.]

Re: Cheap Outdoor Car Cover

I just purchased 4 plastic car covers from Summit to keep the dust off my cars while prepping another one for paint. At $11.99 each they are a bargain. They come in 4 sizes but the small one is large enough for our cars. They are only 3 mils thick but have an elastic cord around the perimeter to keep it secure and low to the ground. When done with it, simply throw it away.

[Mark E.]

Re: Cheap Outdoor Car Cover

Only use a non-breathable plastic cover for a few hours, maybe a day, to protect the car in a dirty environment (e.g. Perry's body shop). Otherwise trapped moisture can damage the finish and promote corrosion throughout the car.

I've stored nice cars outdoors for months using layers of covers. This worked well even through ice storms and hail. Use a high-quality soft cover against the car with two or three inexpensive semi-custom outdoor covers on top. For the top layer I have used the breathable covers on eBay with a silver colored coating that is heat and moisture resistant. This layered combination is breathable yet no dirt or moisture gets to the car. Plus the layers offer significant impact protection (hail). If in plain view, for the top layer I prefer a non-tailored, loose fitting cover that disguises the type of car.

Once in place, it's easy to unroll and install the covers together. Use a large binder clip at each corner to keep them all in place. The string or cable across the bottom doesn't work and is a pain to install.

If you have a non-retractable antenna, remove it. Don't punch a hole in the covers that will just tear and allow in dirt. My antenna is hand tightened for easy removal/installation without tools.

[Duke W.]

Re: Cheap Outdoor Car Cover

A Budge Lite size 3 will work... less than 30 bucks from Walmart. I use them as an outer cover over the "good" cover underneath on outside cars, and they last about two years.

They're single layer polypropylene ... fairly light and compact so you need have them well tied down if it's windy. I use a cable lock underneath and a couple of old fashioned wooden clothes pins at the front and rear. They come with a tie down string and storage bag.

Duke