Car cover for winter?

[Sully]

So the s2000 normally gets the garage for the winter (well really always cause it doesnt get driven but anyways) but it's broad fenders means that people think it makes a great seat and they've been kinda f'd up because of it. Plus I enjoy having the garage space to hang out in or do some occasional hobby work. And with a motorcycle and jetski and s2000 and two work benches...etc. there's not much space left.

So anyway, what's everyone's position on car covers? Any good? Waste of money? I'm not overly concerned about the paint because it's definitely not show quality. Mainly worried about the new top. I mean I also enjoyed having it in the garage because the brakes don't get all that rust build up and everything which I know a cover can't help.

So what's everyone think? If they are worth it, what brands to lean towards? Which ones to avoid? Fitted vs generic?

Discuss. Flame. Troll. Whatever.

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[fiveoh2go]

[Sully]

Paint isn't shot. Just not show quality. The f'd up fenders are dents, not scratches and may or may not be able to be pdr'd

And I'm more worried about the $1800 top or whatever it cost. I always get the labor cost and total cost mixed up

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[SlimKlim]

If you do park it outside you might just want to skip the cover all together, I've heard they'll trap dirt and grit under there and just scuff up the paint when the wind blows. It's also going to do nothing to keep your top from stretching out if it gets snow on it, so you're still going to have go clear it off when it snows. Is the top cloth or vinyl?


I have a generic $30 indoor cover I only use when storing the BMW in the garage after it's been washed. It keeps new dust from settling on it and I don't worry so much about using the car as a shelf during winter months.

[Sully]

The top is cloth. Yea I'd still clean snow off it. Something about seeing the top get wet though makes me uncomfortable though lol

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[SlimKlim]

In that case I'm not sure what the best option is. I know they have waterproofing products for them that'll make moisture just bead up and roll off the top.

[Sully]

Yea. Already done. It works ok, but not great.

Maybe I just need one of those tent garages so I can still have my heated garage for hanging out and doing work and the tent so the car I never use isn't exposed to the elements lol

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[Senor_Taylor]

Good thread. I've been wondering what to do about my Miata since the top leaks like crazy. Might just put a tarp over it. The paint is already a 2/10.

[fiveoh2go]

What cloth was used for this top? 1200 year old material taken from Charlemagnes cape that will instantly disintegrate upon the slightest hint of moisture? It's a convertible top, it's made to get wet instead of your interior!

[Sully]

I just don't want to leave it exposed to the elements especially in the winter when I'm probably not going to be driving it at all. So if it's just sitting, and it won't be inconvenient to me, then why not keep it covered to get maybe another year out of it. Idk about you but I don't like dropping $1800 on something that doesn't make the car faster, it handle better.

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[HAULN-SS]

If you get a cover, i'd definitely get fitted. I used one for my MCSS back before I had a garage mostly just to keep leaves and shit out of it. Always put it on a clean car.

[rherold9]

If you don't put the top down at all for the winter have you just thought about dipping it flat black?

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[Sully]

If you don't put the top down at all for the winter have you just thought about dipping it flat black?

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Not sure if serious or trolling. But sounds like a waste of dip and possibly a waste of a top. If nothing else, I wouldn't want to expose the top to the solvents in the wet dip let alone if it'll still be peelable after bonding to fabric. May kinda get stuck in the fibers.

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[rherold9]

Not trolling being serious that's why I'm asking. If it is a normal dip job should be thick enough to be able to peel right off with no problem?

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[Sully]

On a vinyl top, maybe. I'd still worry that it would get stuck or even pull some of the fibers out

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[JPolen01]

It would likely bond with the fabric and never come off. That sounds mighty stupid.

[rherold9]

Idk. I feel like anything you could rub it off no problem

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[Jake]

That sounds like a pretty sketchy idea... let's try it on a car that doesn't have a brand new top, perhaps.

Matt, the top is designed to repel/deal with water and snow. I left my Miata uncovered in snow storms and plan on doing the same with the E36 'vert. If you're really concerned, get a fitted cover, but as Joey (and maybe others?) said, you typically want the car to be freshly washed when you put it on, otherwise it can move with the wind a bit and scratch your paint.

[rherold9]

Yeah or get a hard top? I'd definitely like to see how dip fares on an old clean soft top in 5-6+ good coats.

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[Sully]

I'm pretty sure people have dipped old tops before. Works fine till you put it down but idk about peelability

As far as plans now. Kinda tossing around the idea of one of those tent shelter type things with a recycled pallet floor and screw the shelter to that then park on it. Definitely won't blow away and should protect the car. Maybe... and it wouldn't cost that much more than a nice fitted cover.

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