Car Covers Research Guide

Why Car Covers?

Car Covers offer great protection to your vehicle’s exterior and keep it looking as good as new. They are a boon for vehicle owners who are constantly surprised by that scratch here and a chip there on their prized possessions. Car Covers protect your vehicle against the main culprits that damage your vehicle’s exterior — harmful UV rays of the sun, runaway shopping carts, heavy downpour and dings and scratches from the garage.

Car Covers are available in a variety of breathable, water-resistant and waterproof materials. Whether it’s a car, Jeep®, truck, SUV or van that you own, Car Covers are available in universal and custom-fit sizes. Covers are also available to cover specific parts of your vehicle, such as the canopy and cab area of your Jeep®.

What Different Types Of Car Covers Can Do For Your Vehicle

There are three basic types of Car Covers that you can choose from, to protect your vehicle from the elements — Indoor Covers, Outdoor Covers and Indoor/Outdoor Covers. An indoor Car Cover is a great way to protect a vehicle that’s garaged most of the time. But if your vehicle sits outside, whether in a porch or out in the open, you need an outdoor cover that’s designed to repel water but still allows airflow through the cover fabric. If you want a cover that can be used both indoors and outdoors, then an Indoor/Outdoor Cover is the one you should choose. We have listed down some basic features of Indoor, Outdoor and Indoor/Outdoor Covers to make your decision easier:

Indoor Car Covers

Dust and dirt from the garage and frequent opening and closing of the garage door can leave ugly blemishes on your vehicle’s exterior. One surefire way to keep this from happening is to get an indoor Car Cover for your vehicle. Indoor Car Covers are gentle on your vehicle’s finish as they are made from lightweight materials. These covers are a safe bet against dings, scratches and scrapes that are common during interior storage.

Outdoor Car Covers

We have had enough newsprint dedicated to how bad ultraviolet rays are for the environment and us. Outdoor Car Covers are fitted with specialized UV ray inhibitors that reflect sun’s rays away from your vehicle. UV rays and heat can damage the color coat of the vehicle. The color tends to fade unevenly and the trapped heat can weaken the rubber, plastic and leather upholstery inside the car. Trapped heat can even break down foam padding and adhesives and fry the audio components, tapes and discs.

Indoor/Outdoor Car Covers

Indoor/Outdoor Covers are versatile as they combine the features of both Indoor and Outdoor Car Covers. These covers are breathable and water-resistant and so are ideal for any climate condition. Indoor/Outdoor Car Covers are also non-abrasive making them suitable for use indoors.

Special Feature
Indoor, Outdoor as well as Indoor/Outdoor Car Covers are available in breathable and water-resistant materials.

To keep rust at bay, breathable materials are the way to go. Covers made of breathable materials allow for ventilation and absorb excess moisture, keeping your vehicle corrosion-free.

Water is the biggest enemy for your vehicle’s exterior. Car Covers made of water-resistant materials are great for outdoor as well as indoor use. Water resistant and waterproof covers keep water out of your vehicle even during that heavy downpour.

Vehicle-Specific Car Covers

Car Covers are available for cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, Jeep®s, trailers and snowmobiles. Check out the features of Car Covers available for each of these vehicles:

Car Covers

Car Covers protect your car’s finish by keeping your paint job looking factory-fresh for a long time. What’s more, they come in attractive colors, embellished with icons like “flames” and iron cross to add a dash of style to your car’s exterior. Apart from protecting your vehicle’s exterior from the elements, a simple Car Cover can also deter theft by masking the vehicle’s make and model as well as audio system, cellular phones and other valuables inside the car. They are available in custom fit as well as universal sizes for both indoor and outdoor use.

Jeep® Covers

Jeep® Covers offer protection for your Jeep® from severe weather conditions, dust, dings and scratches, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor storage. Covers are also available specifically for the cab and canopy areas of your Jeep®. These Jeep® Covers are constructed out of waterproof and heavy-duty materials such as polypropylene that offer complete protection to your Jeep® both indoor and outdoors.

RV & Camper Covers

Covers made of breathable, lightweight materials offer superior protection for your recreational vehicle and campers. You may safely put away those trailers and campers with heavy-duty covers made of sturdy polypropylene that protect every inch of your vehicle. You can stop worrying about an attack of mold and mildew as the covers have a triple layer top that allows moisture to escape. These covers come with tie-down ropes that keep your trailer cover on even in the face of windstorms.

Snowmobile Covers

Snowmobile Covers are constructed out of sturdy poly cotton and polyester materials. These covers keep your snowmobile protected during off-season storage. These covers also come in handy when you have to transport your snowmobile. You can even leave it on when trailering.

Truck Covers and SUV Covers

Truck Covers and SUV Covers offer great protection from rain, snow, dust, dirt and pollution. These covers are made from breathable materials like polyester, which prevent moisture-build-up. Fitted with elasticized double-stitched hems, these covers don’t blow away even during strong winds and fit your truck or SUV perfectly.

Van Covers

Van Covers protect your van against the effects of harsh weather and from dings and scratches. Van Covers are made from breathable, UV-resistant fabrics such as polyester and have double-stitched seams that make them highly durable. Van Covers made of breathable fabric keep rust, mold and mildew from damaging your vehicle.

How To Choose The Right Car Cover?

Different types of Car Covers offer different levels of protection; choose one depending on where you park your vehicle, the weather in your area and your budget. Here are certain helpful pointers that will help you select the right Car Cover:

Fit is Important
A well-fitted cover gives your vehicle everlasting protection whereas a poorly fitted one defeats the very purpose by allowing room for damage. A poorly fitted cover lets in moisture, which leads to rust over time. Car Covers are available both in universal as well as custom fit sizes. Universal covers are designed to fit most vehicle models but to obtain the best fit, choose a cover that is custom designed for the make and model of your vehicle.

Where You Park
Choose the cover depending on where you park and how often you use your vehicle as well as the weather in your area. Indoor Car Covers are made of fabrics that are gentle on your vehicle’s color coat, so these are ideal when keeping your vehicle garaged for a long time. If your vehicle’s going to be parked outside a lot of the time, then an outdoor Car Cover equipped with air vents is the one you must go for.

Choose a cover that can be used both indoors and outdoors if you want the best of both worlds. If you live in an area where it rains throughout the year, go for a water resistant Car Cover. For a sunnier zone, choose a cover with extra UV and photo degradation protection. When it comes to colors, it is always wiser to choose a lighter colored cover as it deflects the sun’s rays.

Security
Most Car Covers provide tie down points, which can be secured using a cable or rope to help keep the cover on intact even during windy days. Securing your cover with a cable and a lock makes your vehicle harder to steal.

Put On/Take Off A Car Cover With Ease!

Putting on and taking off an Car Cover is so easy even a child can do it! Here is how you can put on and remove an Car Cover without causing any scratches to your vehicle.

Start by covering the mirrors of your vehicle with the pockets on the Car Cover. Next, cover the roof and windows of your vehicle followed by the front and the rear ends. Always cover the front and rear bumpers as the last step to get that snug, secure fit. Lastly, secure the cover with a cable lock or with ropes.

For removing the Car Cover, start by folding each side of the Car Cover up onto the roof. Then refold it as necessary. Next, beginning at the front of the vehicle, fold the Car Cover towards the back. This way you will not drag the cover over the vehicle’s surface and minimize any chance of scratches.

Care For Your Car Covers

Caring for your Car Cover takes very little time and effort. Read your manufacturer’s directions carefully on how to clean and maintain your cover. A few helpful hints to keep your Car Cover clean are given below:

Most vehicle covers can be washed in a washing machine with a mild detergent. The golden rule to follow is to always dry it thoroughly before storage as the excess moisture can cause rust formation. Keep your Car Cover away from hot exhaust pipes, as it is made of materials that melt under high temperature.

Car Covers are a great investment to make as they protect your vehicle from hazardous elements and keep it looking good as new for years. Choose the right type, material and the size that best suits your vehicle make and model and the cover will take care of the rest!