Did you try using the search feature? This issue has been discussed several times before.

That said, I like the covers from California Car Covers, they have several different styles. Also, no cover is completely water proof, but most are water resistant.

 

One little 'novelty' regarding a cover on a car that's outside all day:

Yes, it'll keep bird crap and prying eyes/fingers out of the interior, but if it's breezy and there's any dirt at all on the car or inside the cover, it'll spend the day(s) buffing scratches into the paint as the cover ripples in the moving air. (kinda like how a bra eventually wrecks the front end of whatever car its on, but at a much slower pace)

 

Darren makes some good points, and Gifford's recommendation is as good as any of them, better than most. I just never used them very often, even (especially) on cars that have really nice paint.
Why waterproof? If you have leaks, use a blue plastic tarp. I've seen me do it!

 

My thoughts are that the car cover is going to do far more damage than it will prevent unless you park under a berry tree full of birds every day.

 

That's what we're talkin' about!

 

I have a leak at the A pillars so I want to prevent it from leaking into my car while at work. At home I store the car in the garage so I'm good there

 

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/spider-1966-up/167096-half-convertible-covers.html
I'd minimumize/fix the leak.

 

****pit cover

Can't remember where I bought it, but it didn't cost an arm or a leg. Attaches under the forward lip of the trunk, under the windshield wipers, and velcros around each side mirror. Soft, waterproof, doesn't touch the paint, so no scratches to deal with. Keeps the interior clean, dry, and poop-free.

 

By the way

It's quicker to put the top up, except when you have the top cover attached. Then it's much easier to use than pulling the cover and putting the top up.

 

I'd like to share my experience with car covers.

My 1974 Spider is in very nice condition with very good paint (about 15 years old).
The car lives outside and has been my daily commuting car for the past 3 years. Modern car covers have been my (and the Spider's friends)

When choosing a car cover for outside use, make sure it is breathable, has built in air vents...like a tent, and that it has straps that secure the cover when the wind increases.

In my experience a car cover is not only one of your best defenses against corrosion by preventing water collecting in channels, doors and sills, but it keeps the Spider clean, so that you seldom have to wash it. A good cover in a light colour will also reduce UV damage and keep the car cooler than if it were left exposed. The car covers do not appear to have worn the paint thin or been abrasive on the mostly curved panels of the spider.

If you are using a car cover, do try to keep the car clean, so that dirt is not trapped inside the cover. I cover the car every night and during the day while it is parked at work. Covering the car only takes a few minutes and it soon becomes routine. I suggest that you carry a large towel in the boot so that if the cover is wet it can be placed on the towel.

A good car cover is well worth the expense and if it makes the difference between driving your Spider to work or leaving it in the garage it is a very small price to pay (and your car will thank-you).

 

Well -
I've done car covers in the past and here's my spin.

You want the cover so the car stays clean and dry, right?


Here's what happens on the first rainy day:
You come out of the office with your umbrella because it's raining. The car has the cover on it. You have to take the cover off while standing in the rain. Now you have to roll up the wet, dirty cover and put it in the trunk. In the meantime, you're soaked.

Now you get home and pull the car in the garage (or park it outside) and you have a dirty car. You don't want to put a cover on a wet dirty car, since you'll get the inside of the car cover dirty. However, don't forget that the outside of your cover is already wet. So, you have to take it out of the trunk and put it somewhere to dry or it will mildew. Don't forget to dry the trunk while you're at it. Oh, and after all that, you can finally dry yourself off too.

Now, you have to wait for the weather to change and for you to have the car washed before you can put the cover back on.

Summary: covers are good if you are going to be storing the car outside, and it will only be coming off when you take a Sunday drive. They're more trouble than they're worth for regular use.

Just my opinion - your mileage may vary - but wet dirty covers are a PITA.

 

Good perspective Lokki.

 

Except for my daily driver, I use car covers on all of my cars, indoor and out. I use cotton ones indoors to keep the dust off and to help prevent minor dings, and a more weather-resistant one outdoors mostly to protect against the sun (I live in sunny southern Cal), but also to protect against light rain. I agree that taking a wet car cover off in the rain to drive it can be a real PITA. However, fortunately I don't have to deal with that very often.

One minor negative point is that when you do drive the car, it picks up dirt and smog. Even if you can't really see it on the car, it gets onto the cover when you put it on, and the cover will smear all that over the car, and you will wind up a greasy film on your windshield. You will have to often (a) clean your windshield and (b) wash you cover in order to minimize this problem.

 

So what's the scoop on washing a cotton car cover? When I got my car it had a cover in the trunk. The problem is that the cover is dusty and dirty and will not fit in my washer or dryer. Should I have it dry cleaned or go the laundry mat?

 

The car covers for Alfa are generally smaller, so they fit in some of the larger capcity home washers. After washing, I usually just lay it out in my backyard to air/sun dry. If it won't fit in your home washer, you'll have to use one of the larger ones found in most laundromats

 

Thank you Wilkie.
shove s

 

My 87 Quad is kept in an underbuilding parking area 90% of the time. I do use a car cover anyway cuz of the dirt, crapzola, and exhaust fumes settling on the car. I do not put the top up for any reason, even though I still have the original quad hardtop that came with the car. I wouldn't use a tarp under any circumstances.