Best Outdoor Car Cover?

[theleisure]

Hello,

I don't have a garage so my Sprite lives outside year-round. The cover I use now is designed to keep dust and debris off but that's not good enough--I'd like to upgrade to a nice waterproof car-cover. Which Spridget specific cover do you recommend?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[bill_powell]

While not "Spridget specific" I use a Budge waterproof car cover, size 1, and it works well. Here's one on eBay:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUDGE-RAI...emZ320244765344

This is a thick cover, but folds to the size of a smallish sleeping bag.

As you can see, it fits my Guzzi just as well...

 

[Speedy_Pete]

If the car's in good shape and you want it to stay that way, get a carcoon. They aren't cheap, but as they seal up the car completely it will stay dry and clean for as long as its in the cover.

 

[theleisure]

Thanks Pete,

I went with Bill's recommendation and bought the Budge cover. It's a pretty nice fit. I posted a picture of it on my website:

https://web.mac.com/smbags/Site/Sprite_blog/Entries/2008/10/13_Safe_from_the_Elements.html

 

[jlaird]

I really only have one complant about car covers. They all assume that the top is up and I never ever have mine up.

 

[bill_powell]

Thanks Pete,

I went with Bill's recommendation and bought the Budge cover. It's a pretty nice fit. I posted a picture of it on my website:

https://web.mac.com/smbags/Site/Sprite_blog/Entries/2008/10/13_Safe_from_the_Elements.html

Glad you like it; nice website, BTW.

Jack, do you really never put that top up? I drive my Midget everyday, rain or shine, hot or cold, but leaving the top down <span style="font-style: italic">all </span>the time sounds pretty hardcore...

 

[tweety]

the only thing my top is for, is to keep the car cover from becoming an above ground pool liner when it rains.

I think I've driven the car once with the top up.

 

[drooartz]

I liked driving the Tunebug with the top up. I felt like I was driving a tent.

 

[tosoutherncars]

Hahaha... that's exactly right!

 

[jlaird]

Have a top, have never had it on. Car stays inside when sun is not shineing and roads are not dry. I have a light truck for day to day stuff.

Remember now I am retired so not a lot of daily travel required.

However, I did drive a Bugeye from 62 to 68 as the only family car and again from 74 to 91 as my daily work/driver. Wind, sleet, snow, etc, etc. She never let me down except once when I ran out of gas.

 

[bill_powell]

Well, I'm very much with you all, in that I do keep the top down the vast majority of the time. I do put it up, though, in rain and really cold weather.

My other vehicle is a motorcycle w/ sidecar. I really don't like to use it in rain, but have braved cold and snow. (Not for longer distances, mind you.)

With the Midget's top down, the two actually have quite a bit in common.

Have a good day, all...

 

[theleisure]

Here's an update for anybody who's interested:

My 7 month old Budge car cover now leaks like a sieve. This is a recent development, last month everything was going so well. It was great while it lasted...

Anybody know of a car cover that can hold up to extended use?

 

[scubabatdan]

If your looking for the best then you will pay a pretty penny. This is rated a 10 in all areas like mosture, dust, sun etc..

Weathershield HD

It is guranteed for 5 years, at a price of $345.00 for a 1966 Sprite.

However if you are looking for durability at an economical price, I would get one of these:
Northern Industrial 12ft. x 20ft. Charcoal Gray Waterproof PVC Tarp

This is 16 mils thick and resist just about everything, all for $99.00

Last one, 24 month warrenty for cars up to 170 in, made of polypopylene $29.99
Polypro Car Cover

Hope this helps
Dan

 

[Bayless]

Gotta consider what it's gonna do to the paint!

 

[bill_powell]

Here's an update for anybody who's interested:

My 7 month old Budge car cover now leaks like a sieve. This is a recent development, last month everything was going so well. It was great while it lasted...

Anybody know of a car cover that can hold up to extended use?

That is a bummer.

I do not know if our covers are the same (Budge does make different types), but mine is holding up fine after two years. Only been exposed to Tennessee weather, however. No real extremes.