# Is a car cover worth the trouble and expense?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 25, 2001, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644 "2001-10-25T21:18:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RufusLeaking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c5a1d2/32.png) [@RufusLeaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RufusLeaking)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644/1 "2001-10-25T21:18:04Z")

</div>

I will be getting a new car soon but will not have space in the garage to keep it out of the weather. So I’m considering buying a car cover to protect the finish, interior (from sunlight and “greenhouse” effect), and keep it cleaner. I live in an area in California where it never snows, infrequently rains but is subject to hot weather in the summer. In warm weather here the interior of a car gets really, really hot and does great damage.

I used to own a 1972 Mercedes in mint condition that I drove daily. I did not have room in the garage for that car either so I kept a car cover on it as much as possible. The first car cover I used on it had plastic tape covering the seams on the inside. After about six months I noticed that I could see in the finish where these seams had been. So over time they must have rubbed micro-scratches into the finish. These would disappear when I waxed the car but re-appear after awhile. I replaced the car cover with the more popular waffle type material which does not have any plastic over the seams. As far as I could tell the second car over did not damage the finish of the car.

Any opinions about car covers?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cargogal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@Cargogal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cargogal)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644/2 "2001-10-25T21:26:32Z")

</div>

It depends on the cover, the conditions, and the paint.

Water-based paint is more delicate. Since this was a pre-environmental-concerns car, that shouldn’t be an issue.

If your car might come into contact with tree sap, bird poo, or acid rain, get a cover. A good-quality car cover won’t scratch the paint - look to a quality anal-retentive car care company for a cover.  
Or get a car port.  
For around town, not at home - well, that’s too anal even for me. Skip it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644/3 "2001-10-25T21:27:15Z")

</div>

When I moved to Georgia (long ago and for lived there for 2 years) I brought my car cover with me thinking much like you are.

It was stolen within 3 days. Something to think about if you don’t live in a SF home.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-car-cover-worth-the-trouble-and-expense/89644/4 "2001-10-25T22:26:05Z")

</div>

Off to IMHO forum with you. That’s the best place to ask for advice vs factual information.  
Jill