Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: joestram on July 31, 2014, 10:25:18 PM

Title: Car Covers
Post by: joestram on July 31, 2014, 10:25:18 PM
Hi All,
I have recently moved homes and my poor Alfetta is now under a carport exposed to the weather.
I just went outside and noticed rain droplets on the front of the car and I really want to prevent the car from being exposed water while it is sitting still.
Does anyone have any experience with car covers?
Do they cause more harm than good?
Can someone recommend a good brand?
Thanks guys.
Joe
Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: colcol on July 31, 2014, 10:48:41 PM
I wouldn't take one off and put it on every day as it would wear the paintwork off the sharp edges, but if i was storing it for a week or a few months, i would most defiantly use a cover on it, only if the car was clean, no dirt or water.
I remember reading a thread on this, that Costco have good car covers, Colin.
Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: joestram on August 01, 2014, 06:10:29 AM
Thanks for the response Colin.

I was going to purchase a waterproof one from supercheap but I will hold off until I visit Costco on the weekend.

Thanks for that heads up!

Joe
Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: ALFAAA on August 02, 2014, 08:15:30 AM
Hi Joe ,
These days you can buy car capsules,
There is one up for sale on ebay. :)
This will keep your car nice and dry.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Capsule-Bubble-Inflatable-Indoor-Storage-System-Show-Car-Prestige-Porsche/121392006851?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107090050%26meid%3D8735332846931050846%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107090050%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D121377631637
Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: ItalCarGuy on August 02, 2014, 09:33:42 AM
Car covers are rarely watertight. The moisture gets in an under the cover keeping your car damp. I have bought expensive, and apparently breathable covers but have still had bad moisture problems. You need to make sure you take the cover off after any rain and let the car (and cover) dry properly. If you don't you will not only get rust, you can blister your paint the next time it gets hot and sunny and there is moisture trapped in there. I did this to the roof of my car a few years back after I had only just had the roof resprayed. Had to get it done again. Also keep you car on a well drained, hard surface to limit the rising damp.

Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: joestram on August 03, 2014, 09:58:34 PM
Hi ALFAAA and Derek,

Thanks for your comments.

I really like that enclosed cover but my wife and neighbours will think I'm a nut!!

Thanks for your advice Derek - the car is parked on concrete, however, it takes a while for it to dry once it has been raining so I will definitely need to remove the cover once it has rained for it to dry!

Thanks

Joe
Title: Car covers
Post by: VeeSix on August 06, 2014, 11:29:12 AM
I have had a few car covers over the years, expensive ones too, $100.00 plus, if your car is exposed and will be sitting for a while, a good idea, believe it or not K-Mart has good car covers available now for $20.00 by the Performer brand, purchased one and very happy, went and grabbed a second one last week, if you change your mind and do not want use it later on it's not like your out big, $20.00, cheap as chips  :)
Title: Re: Car Covers
Post by: joestram on August 12, 2014, 02:21:07 PM
Hi VeeSix, thanks for the recommendation. I actually picked one up from supercheap as they had a sale on. I need to give it a good wash before I put the cover on but I need to sort out a couple seals before I wash otherwise I will have a flooded boot!