Outdoor car covers

[checkers]

I would be grateful for any experience of using car covers through the winter. My 992 lives outside all year and is mostly a weekend car. Advice has been to leave it uncovered because condensation and cover movement over the paint work does more damage than
leaving out with a good wax protection. This sounds rational but I am also aware a lot of outdoor covers get sold!

 

[mikegibson]

Like you my cars live outside. On my 997 (owned for 8 years) I used a Stormshield+ cover from Specialised Covers for many years. I cannot say I ever noticed any damage to the paintwork etc. This was a custom fit cover so unlike generic covers from Halfords etc fit the car like a glove making any movement of the cover very limited. Obviously only fitting the cover on a clean and dry car is essential. Ensuring you only cover the car when clean does mean cleaning it at the end of the weekend so you can cover it for the week ahead. In the end I got fed up washing it every Sunday afternoon and generally only covered it when I would not use it for a couple of weeks or more.


Having bought a 992 recently, however, my detailer who fit PPF and ceramic strongly urged me not to use a cover at all on my 992 and thus far I have not. That is despite having purchased the Porsche branded cover. On the latter, I am not sure I will ever be brave enough to use the Porsche cover as unlike the Stormshield which had a felt like interior lining, the Porsche cover is basically a fitted plastic sheet. To date, I have left my 992 to the elements and simply accept that it doesn’t always look it’s best.

All in all, based on my experience of a quality custom fit cover, I see no issue using one provided the car is properly cleaned before fitting. I think most advise against covers as there is clearly a risk of damage. But, if you do use a cover be prepared to clean the car and dry it properly before fitting.

 

[Cristo]

I have a 992 Turbo S and my car is kept outside under a carport. However as it is not used for several months I find a tailor made cover essential. On the Turbo S there is a large opening beneath the externally mounted rear spoiler that houses the engine cooling radiators. The problem is leaves, pine needles and seeds can enter this area blown in by the wind and yet not easily accessible for removal, therefore a cover prevents this happening.
I had a high quality cover bespoke manufactured by COVERZONE www.cover-zone.com and chose their Apollo model. Its cost was £586.00 including vat, but given the cost of the car it was protecting helped to justify the cost! They're very happy to send samples of their fabric, which in this case is impregnated with a water repellent chemical for which water just beads off. It is also soft on the paintwork, however I fastidiously clean my car before fitting.
Hope this helps
Chris

 

[checkers]

Thanks for your really helpful replies
I am minded to take the advice and fit a good quality cover if not using the car for more than a few weeks but otherwise leave it alone. (My wife pointed out I seem to enjoy cleaning it!)

 

[Lancerlot]

I had a Macan S for 6 years that remained uncovered outside permanently and, after a good clean, was in virtually in showroom condition when sold. However, it was in daily use and not laid up over winter. []

Living in the southwest, I would be reluctant to use a car cover outside due to potential storm damage, but in a sheltered location, carport etc I might have considered it.

Regards,

Clive

 

[cymro]

I had the Porsche cover on my previous 992 and eventually sold the cover. I found that it scratched the glass panel between the glass sliding roof and the rear windscreen.