Is using a car cover bad for the paint work?

Mahesh Korale · June 9

Is using a car cover bad for the paint work? I have heard that using a car cover can be bad on the paint work is there ant truth to this?

Quiet · June 10

yep you get these small scratch marks

matroska · June 10

yes - there will be scratches and moisture being trapped inside the covers in rainy conditions will also be an issue.

If your vehicle is new(ish) and on an original paint being exposed to the elements will have less damage compared to being covered with a cover.

If your vehicle is some oldie, that has been painted locally - covers will make it worse and so will the elements. Keep it in a shed/covered space.

Edited June 10 by matroska

iRage · June 10

On 6/9/2024 at 10:08 PM, Mahesh Korale said:

Is using a car cover bad for the paint work? I have heard that using a car cover can be bad on the paint work is there ant truth to this?

Yes but no.

8 hours ago, matroska said:

yes - there will be scratches and moisture being trapped inside the covers in rainy conditions will also be an issue.

If your vehicle is new(ish) and on an original paint being exposed to the elements will have less damage compared to being covered with a cover.

If your vehicle is some oldie, that has been painted locally - covers will make it worse and so will the elements. Keep it in a shed/covered space.

I am going to go against everyone and say no. I have used car covers on all my cars here in Japan Two of them have to be parked outdoors in a community parking lot, and the neighborhood cats have a tendency to get on top of the cars. The cars have very very very minimal swirl marks and scratches. The minor swirl marks come up mostly when I am too lazy to wash them properly So far never has it been from the covers.

Car cover technology has come a long way from from it used to be. So it is not all doom and gloom provided you use it properly.

So here is the catch...

1. You need to get a GOOD car cover. Multi-layered one with a soft inner lining would be the way to go. Stay away from the cheap ones. The good multi-layer ones are breathable (so moisture and heat does not get trapped under neath it subsequently steaming and boiling the car) and have a soft lining inside to minimize scratches. The outer layer provides UV protection and the in-between layers filter dust, etc...

2. You need to get the right car cover. Some covers are purely for dust protection, some for just UV protection, some for multi-weather applications, outdoor vs. indoor, etc. Get the right size cover as well (a custom fit cover is the best).

3. Your car needs to be waxed, preferably with some sort of coating applied regularly, and kept clean. I wax the cars every six months and use a quick detailer every other wash or so in between.

4. You need to properly clean the car cover, store it properly, wash it regularly, etc.

Now, comes how you use it, and it is important. You need to be very diligent about how you use it.

1. You need to make sure that when it rains you take it off and let the car and the cover dry up properly. If there was dust on the cover then it is highly likely that the dust would have seeped on to the car. o it needs to be washed.
2. Even after washing, you need to drive the car and dry it (in fact, this is a good practice every time you wash the car, even if you don't cover it. It ensures that the water doesn't get lodged in the little corners).

3. It is best not to cover the car whilst the engine is piping hot.

4. Then, regardless of rain or whatever, you need to make sure that the cover is taken off regularly so that the car gets ventilated. Sunlight and heat help keep the interior and places like that mold-free.

5. How you put it on and take it off is also very important. You NEVER drag the cover on the body of the car. Always fold it off and fold it on.

6. .You need to make sure you get a cover that properly fits the car. Even if the cover is slightly larger you MUST make sure that it is snuggly fitted on to the car. This way wind does not get under the car. If it does the cover can come off or start to flap around which can cause unnecessary rubbing against the body.

So, using a cover does not mean you put it on for days and then drag it off.

You need to weigh the benefits against the potential negatives. With a proper car cover, you can protect your bodywork and make sure your wax, etc..lasts longer. It also helps keep the car cooler during high heat and protects the paint and the plastics from harmful UV rays. Also, during rain it can help reduce acid damage on the paint (keep in mind you probably don't want to keep the cover on during heavy rains. The cover will blow off.