Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 42
Outdoor cover for a D3
Hi,
I spend quite a bit of time away from home - overseas work commitments..... The car has had the Tuffguard treatment, but I'd still like to put a cover over it for additional protection against bird sh*te, tree sap/resin as well as providing a 'deterrent' for anyone/thing thinking of messing with my pride and joy
I've had a look on the t'internet, and London Covers seem to do a nice one for £245-00, including a cable & padlock to help keep in all in place.
Does anyone have any experience of these or other outdoor covers??
Cheers,
FL
26th Feb 2010 5:37 pm
countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
Unless the car is spotless when you put it on, it will scratch the paintwork.
26th Feb 2010 5:40 pm
flatline
Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 42
OK, thanks for that - so if the car is properly clean before I put the cover on it will be OK?
26th Feb 2010 5:43 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
they can rub the paint away over time - had a 3000GT where the fitted cover rubbed the paint off the wing mirrors.
What about a folding garage? might not find one tall enough though!2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
26th Feb 2010 5:44 pm
flatline
Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 42
Unfortunately not enough room for anything other than a cover - the vehicle is a 'Honeymoon fit" on the drive as it is!!
There are inflatable tent like things which may be better. I agree with the above any cover (outdoors) will move and if it is touch the paintwork marks will result.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
26th Feb 2010 5:47 pm
flatline
Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 42
OK, so bearing in mind it has had the Tuffguard treatment, would I be better off leaving it uncovered?? - assuming that Tuffguard does a good job.......
IMHO yes
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
26th Feb 2010 5:54 pm
Stu
Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2423
A few coats of wax / gloss on it will help it a lot. I use the autoglym stuff and it seems pretty good. Makes washing after an offroad day easy as well.D3 HSE MY05 Auto
Expo Rack, Club MTR, LR Spots, A Bar, Light Guards, GNVP Sump Guard, GNVP Ladder, Cup Holders, RLD A Bar brackets. Disco3Club stickers, Aux power on Mod
26th Feb 2010 5:59 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
No chance of putting a carport on the house? or hiring a lockup?2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
26th Feb 2010 6:14 pm
flatline
Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 42
I've got access to a lock-up, will need to put a larger door on it though (there is room I think) - in any event it'll be pretty tight getting it in - having said that, it'll only be 6 -7 times a year it'll need to go in there.
The only problem I can foresee is the Insurance company (Swift Cover) may or may not insure the vehicle if it's being stored away from my home address...
26th Feb 2010 6:18 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Yeh that could be an issue, might be worth ringing them and asking.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
26th Feb 2010 6:27 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8053
Whilst agreeing with comments that the cover will wear the paint off by 'rubbing through' on certain 'high points' (and having experienced it myself on motorbikes) I pick up that you indicate its only 6-7 times a year? (the response about the garage?). If that is the case I would think the risk of 'damage' outweighs the longer term protection it offers.
Couple of other things/suggestions; many covers come with a 'flock' or 'brushed cotton' type inner finish to minimise/eradicate the 'rub through' type damage or alternatively buy a 'dust cover' of soft brushed cotton, intended for inner use only, and put that on underneath the weather protecting cover. By the time that rubs through the paint you, or the car, will be long gone
I have a 'goretex' membrane cover on my 'bike (custom made) and despite the inner being a fairly 'harsh' finish it hasn't started to 'polish' any high points yet (mirrors, rear flanks, tank edges, etc.) and that is on/off a few times a week (snow permitting )
27th Feb 2010 12:59 am
bluebarchetta
Member Since: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Aylesbury
Posts: 524
CG wrote:
There are inflatable tent like things which may be better. I agree with the above any cover (outdoors) will move and if it is touch the paintwork marks will result.
I had one of these (a carcoon - http://www.carcoon.co.uk/ for my barchetta. The air movement help the car completely dry and mould free and the battery conditioner meant that it started first time. I was always careful about putting it away clean but residual moisture would go in a day if I'd just washed it.
27th Feb 2010 7:56 am
Phil1644
Member Since: 14 Nov 2009
Location: Probably still in work!
Posts: 303
astonbuilder wrote:
Couple of other things/suggestions; many covers come with a 'flock' or 'brushed cotton' type inner finish to minimise/eradicate the 'rub through' type damage
Caravan covers are like this, breathable but keep UV & bird droppings off. I have covered our various vans, which are then left out in the wind etc, with no damage to the external finish. Years ago I used to pay around £300 for a cover, but the last one was £85 and thats a 21 foot cover, smaller ones are cheaper still. I think something for say a 19 foot van would fit a D3?, might not look very pretty though.......?
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