Where to Buy Classic Car CoversHaving the proper classic car cover is important to keep your collectible in mint condition. Having the wrong car cover can actually damage your car. Read on and find where the best places are to buy, what type/brand you need, and how to properly use the car cover.
AutoSportCatalog.com
Auto Sport Catalog offers the unique "CarCapsule", which offers the best protection for storing a car long term, especially in humid environments. An air exchange fan keeps the bubble inflated while keeping condenstion from the interior. Condensation is the main cause of rust, mold, and mildew with stored cars.
AutoAnything.com
Auto Anything has one of the largest inventories of car covers we have ever seen. They carry the industry leading brands Covercraft and Coverking (many of their covers are custom manufactured and made to order) , and I have found models covered all the way back to the 1913 Ford Model T. Another great feature of their website is the detail of questions pertaining to your model to find the exact fit you need. I have seen submodels and types of exterior mirrors asked to find the exact fit needed. VERY DETAILED.
AutoPartsWarehouse.com
Auto Parts Warehouse also sells Covercraft and Coverking brands, so if you are in the market for one of those brands you should compare prices between Auto Parts Warehouse and AutoAnything. Auto Parts Warehouse also offers a few other brands not found on AutoAnything.
Purchasing A Classic Car CoverTo properly protect your collector car, the cover needs to fit your car precisely to wrap your car like a cocoon. The proper fitting car cover will prevent dust, dirt, and moisture from getting under the cover, yet will still "breathe", allowing evaporation if needed. Whether your car is being stored outside or it is being stored in the garage, a classic car cover is a wise and cheap investment. Even if your classic car is being stored in the garage, a car cover can protect it from dings and dents from tools and other nearby hazards. Top Car Cover BrandsWhen you want the best classic car cover money can buy, two options are Covercraft and Coverking, both made in America. Covercraft Coverking  |
Buying a cover for your classic car is an important step in keeping your collector car safe when you are not driving it. Not all classic car covers are the same, and the environment of where the car will be stored will determine the type of cover you will need. Having the wrong type of classic car cover can actually damage your car in storage, so you must be careful in choosing the right one.
The most important aspect of a cover is that it needs to be sturdy enough to protect the car from the elements, yet it still needs to "breathe" properly to allow the moisture from being trapped underneath. Moisture is a cars worst enemy, causing corrosion, mildew, rotting rubber, and ruining paint jobs when water rests on the surface for months at a time, especially if the cover is resting on the automobile with the water. Too many classic car owners buy the cheapest universal car cover they can find at their local retail store, thinking that a car cover is a car cover. Not only will the cheap universal cover not likely fit your car perfectly, but it may be made out of a material that does not allow moisture to escape if built up underneath, or it will be too flimsy for real protection.
NEVER Buy a Cheap Universal Car Cover
Buying the cheapest classic car cover you can find online that properly fits your car and ventilates properly will be about the same as that universal car cover you find at your local retail outlet store. If your car will be stored in an enclosed environment such as a garage (which it always should be if possible), you should be safe in buying the cheapest classic car cover available that properly fits your model and is made from the proper materials, since you will only be protecting your car from dust, dirt, and a possible ding from work and tools in the area. The thicker the cover, the better protection from dings, dents, and scratches.
If you must store your collector car outdoors, there are different types of covers you will need to decide on depending on the environment. If there will be heavy snow or rain, you need to look at a classic car cover that is highly waterproof. Even the best car covers will absorb some moisture, so it's best to get the maximum waterproof cover you can, especially if the car will be stored where it snows. Snow will not affect the cover when it falls, but when it melts the water can pool in areas and soak the classic car cover in spots. This water may refreeze at times, so an extra thick cover is essential. Another concern is acid rain, especially if you live in a larger city area. Even if it does not rain much, going all out to get the maximum car cover will protect your paint job from the corrosive acid rain that can plague some cities.
The other harsh environmental factor can be the sun, especially if you live in Florida, California, or Arizona. The blazing sun can quickly heat up your paint job, not to mention the interior of the car and destroy the dash board and cracking leather. Fortunately there are classic car covers that block 99% of the UV from the sun and keep it cool underneath the cover. Having the wrong car cover where the sun is an issue can wreak havoc on your car. It can actually heat up underneath and trap the heat. Make sure your classic car cover is a DuPont Tyvek to block up to 99.8 % of the sun's UV rays for maximum protection.
How to Put a Car Cover On
Once you have decided to use the cover, there are a few key points you need to keep in mind while putting it on the car. Most important is to wash the car before storing it for awhile. Dragging the cover over your car will also drag the dirt on your car, except the dirt is usually dust particles which can act as a severe abrasive against the paint job. Even if you have a piece of junk being stored somewhere and you some day want to restore it to it’s former glory, a small invest made now in a cover will go a long way towards the future. Many higher end car covers have up to 10 year warranties, meaning your car will be sheltered from further rust and other long term damages can be kept to a minimum. My uncle had a late 1960’s Mustang that was only the frame, but it was covered by an ill fighting tarp and was basically rusted out within a few years.
