The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Car Protective Covers

As the proud owner of your car, would you say you’re doing everything you can to keep it in the best shape possible? Sure, you might be doing regular check-ups at the mechanic and taking it to the car wash for the occasional wash but what happens when you’re not using it? Not all of us have garages where we can park. So do you just leave it out in the open? That’s definitely a bad idea. If you really want to make the most out of your car, you need to show it some extra love and care.

With that in mind, we’d say you’re missing out on one very important car care accessory that will literally transform the way you look after your vehicle. It’s pretty simple really, you just need to get your hands on protective auto covers to prevent all kinds of damage when you’re not driving around. Sure, manufacturers use those fancy ones to unveil new models but who says you can’t have one too? If you’ve never used a car cover before and you don’t really know what to look for, you’re in luck since we’ll be giving you some tips on how to choose the right one. Strap in and enjoy the ride.

Why Do You Need a Car Cover?

There are plenty of reasons why a car cover comes in handy to all drivers so we’ll be giving you a brief rundown on all the major ones.

Dirt and Weather Protection

A few speckles of dust or dirt here and there might seem harmless at first but continuous build-up over time acts like literal sandpaper. This means that you’ll start to notice micro-scratches after a while which will eventually turn into bigger marks. That’s definitely something you want to avoid. Getting a car cover is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle from road debris.

But dirt and dust isn’t the only challenge you face. What about that raging hailstorm the other day? You don’t think that’s going to do its fair share of damage as well? Think again. In fact, extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow can permanently harm the surface of your vehicle. However, there’s a way for you to minimise the damage and it comes in the form of a cover for your car. When you do this, you prevent corrosion by stopping the droplets from going into direct contact with the outer layer.

UV Resistance

The harmful rays of the sun can not only ruin a good paint job but can also wear down your dashboard, upholstery and so much more. Heat is one of the major culprits when it comes to the degradation of plastic and leather, both of which make up the inside of your vehicle. This is why you need auto covers with high sun and fade resistance, because they offer maximum protection and keep your interior cool at the same time.

Theft Security

This might sound like a stretch but car covers effectively minimise the risk of theft. After all, the whole point of avoiding burglary is to make your belongings as unappealing as possible for potential perpetrators. And what’s the best and easiest way to do that? Just cover it, they won’t even be able to see what’s underneath. Why would anyone try to steal something if they’re not even sure what they’re getting, right?

How Often Should You Use a Car Cover?

The short answer is – every time you’re not using it, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. While forgetting to place the cover sometimes wouldn’t really count as a tragic flaw, you should make it a habit and try not to let it slip your mind. You never know what could happen so it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry.

How Do You Choose a Car Cover?

You might think that all covers are identical because they all share the same purpose but that’s not entirely the case. Here are a few factors that can help you find a suitable one.

Indoor vs Outdoor

Even if you do have a storage place in your garage, your wheels can get damaged by everyday household items. And that’s where indoor car covers come into play. Generally speaking, outdoor covers are somewhat more resilient than their indoor counterparts because they’re specifically designed to withstand the everyday wear and tear of outdoor conditions. Once you’ve determined where you want to store your vehicle, you can make the decision of which type of cover you want to get.

Contour vs Custom Fit

Contour fit covers are universal, which means they’ll be the right size and shape for most conventional car types. But if you have a vintage or special edition model, that probably isn’t the case. In that scenario, you might want to have a custom fit cover that is tailored specifically to the specific class that you own. In other words, you need to do a bit of research before you buy.

Materials

The main dilemma here is either cotton or synthetic fibres. While the latter is quick-drying and lightweight, they lack the moisture-wicking properties of all-natural materials. For this reason, cotton is the preferred option because of its breathable and thermo-regulating features.