A Quintessential Guide to Car Covers for Outdoor Purpose

Leaving your car unprotected from outer elements causes damage to the look of your car with time. Overexposure to UV rays from the sun results in discoloration of rubber parts, paintwork, vinyl, and trims, whereas heavy snow and rain corrode the unprotected and sensitive parts over time. Looking for ways to safeguard your car when you lack additional storage, such as a garage or a carport, is difficult without the right car accessory. A simple solution like an outdoor car cover is key to protecting your car for longer. Protecting the original color and the resale value of your car.

What are Outdoor Car Covers?

A car cover for outdoors is a big sheet of a particular fabric that is loosely shaped like a car. You can buy a costume-made cover built to fit your vehicle well for a little bit more money.

Usually, these covers are used when storing inactive cars that are not to be used for some time. Or luxury cars with delicate paintwork, vinyl, and trims. They are also made to safeguard your car against external factors like dirt, dust, tree sap, snow, etc. The use of a car cover even prevents the hassle of removing ice from your car during the winter. On some occasions, some producers also comprise extra-thick pads in specific spots to help avoid damage like dents.

How often should you use a car cover?

To best protect your car, it is recommended to use your car cover whenever it isn’t in use. This applies to both modern cars and vintage ones. The common phrase “better safe than sorry” applies here too! It’s probably not the end of your world if you fail to put the car cover on, but you never know what may happen. The best tip for the everyday use of cars is to buy a lightweight cover so that it can easily be put on and taken off.

For the best protection, wash or dust your car before covering it. This prevents dirt from getting trapped beneath the cover and resting on the paint. If there is a layer of grime between the car and the cover, it acts like sandpaper when the cover is moved, leading to paint scratches. Also, make sure the vehicle is dry before covering to prevent moisture from trapping and rust formation.

Benefits of Outdoor Car Cover

If you want to protect your car and uphold its original state, a car cover is an effective purchase. Along with safeguarding your car against exterior elements, an outdoor car cover also acts as the best security measure, especially as a vandal and theft deterrent. In addition, the extra time taken to remove the cover effectively increases the risk of the criminal getting caught because of the extra time taken to access the car.

Note that insurance companies or authorities haven’t proved this a theft deterrent. So, owners must take extra precautions to protect their cars effectively. Other benefits include preventing car body damage, like dents, paintwork scratches, and scuffs. In addition, a car cover for the outdoors makes an extra layer of protection by padding from shopping trolleys or uncontrolled car doors.

Breathable or Waterproof

Why choosing a breathable or “water-resistant” car cover over a “waterproof” cover is important? An entirely waterproof car cover doesn’t let moisture go through the cover. That may sound good, but it also holds moisture in between that leads to mildew formation, corrosion, and mold. These are possibly the most powerful threats that ruin the paint job of your car.

In contrast, a breathable car coverlet condensation evaporates fast. This reduces the duration of your vehicle stay exposed to moisture, which avoids corrosion or mold.

UV Protection

The harsh sun harms the clear exterior coating of the paint and the dashboard, upholstery, and many more. All car covers provide safety from harmful sun rays but not complete protection. Look for outdoor car covers rated for discoloring and high sun resistance. These car covers are usually made of reflective material that keeps your car cool inside while protecting your car from harmful UV rays.

A heat-reflective cover is a great option to have bought during summer. These covers are usually lightweight, making them perfect for daily use. Store the cover in the trunk that can easily be pulled over the car while you’re taking a day-long shopping trip or in the office to keep your car cool till the time you’re back.

Dirt Resistance

Keeping debris, dirt, and dust off of your car is the main function of any car cover, be it indoor or outdoor. These dust particles may look harmless; even their thinnest can act like sandpaper. In addition, this dust layer leaves micro-scratches on the car that become more obvious and prominent over time.

With that being said, it is important to keep the car cover clean from the inside too. Dirt formation on the inside of the cover travels to the vehicle which continues to be a danger to expensive paint. Just a little care helps your car stay in its original state for a long way. Always fold and store your car cover in a cover storage bag when not in use for maximum protection.

Vehicle Cover Storage

Nobody can deny the fact that your car or truck isn’t going to remain covered 24/7. Protecting your car cover from harmful chemicals or sharp objects promotes durability and extends the usage of the cover. The car cover storage bags are a practical option that allows you to store the car cover in any easy-to-reach corner in your garage. Taking off and putting on your car cover can be challenging, particularly if you have a big truck. So, to avoid such a situation, use a cover bag where you can easily store the cover that would get messy otherwise.

Choosing the Right Car Cover

Knowing how to choose the right cover can be frustrating. Hopefully, this guide brings you some helpful tips on making the right choice for you. Safeguarding your vehicle from scratches, bird droppings, rain, snow, and everything else thrown your way is vital – and so is the car cover buying decision!

When looking to buy a car cover, pay attention to these five factors:

• Water Resistance
• Sun, UV, and Fade Resistance
• Durability
• Features like secure seams, mirror pockets, and tie-down loops.
• Warranty and Return Policy

Conclusion

An outdoor car cover is important for safeguarding the exteriors of the car. You can also use them as a car seat cover as they effectively protect the outside of your car. As with car seat covers protecting the inside of the cloth, car covers protect the outsides of cars. You can pick from a range of waterproof fabrics, sun protection covers, and other car accessories.