Protecting Your Car From The Elements

There are so many different covers available for almost any condition that you have to do a little thinking before you purchase a car cover.

Will the car be parked inside?

Yes, parking inside your car maybe exposed to dust and humidity unless it's parked in a controlled environment such as a heated/air-conditioned garage. In this case you pretty much need a cover that will keep the dust off the paint if the car is parked for months such as through the winter. If it isn't in a controlled environment, you will want to make sure your cover protects against moisture as well. Moisture combined with dust can create a barrier of sort that sits on the paint and keeps the finish damp. If you have maintained the finish with a good past wax or sealant, this isn't an issue. If you have not maintained the finish, this process will eventually help make the paint look dull over time.

Will the car be parked outside?

Parking outside is what a majority of people do and that's the main reason why they want a cover in the first place. With weather being so variable in different regions, you need to think about a few things.

1. What level of protection do I need?
2. What elements will the cars finish be exposed to?
3. How long will I need the cover to stay on the car?

Determining the protection level is simple. What do you hope to accomplish with the cover?

Protection from dust and debris or protection from rain, snow, sun. Or maybe sap, bird feces or just looking to keep the scratches to a minimum?

Is the car your daily driver and you will be removing and re-installing the cover frequently?

There are many different styles and fabrics as well as price points available to meet consumer needs. A car cover will protect your car from the elements as long as the cover's made for the elements that you are subjecting it to and it's made to fit the car properly. There is nothing worse than buying a cover that doesn't meet your needs and finding out later that the paint's damaged and now you have dish out some cash to get it repaired.

Take a few minutes, look at what you are trying to accomplish with the car cover. If price is a factor, buy the best cover that you can afford. Make sure that you apply a good paste wax or paint sealant to the finish prior to installing the car cover. This actually makes installation and removal of the cover easier and also allows the cover to slide on and off easily.