I am one of the unfortunate ones (boo) that doesn't have a garage to be able to put the B away for the winter in the style that some of you guys do, but I do have a drive to be able to store it on with a decent cover.

I am however one of the fortunate ones (hooray) that will get to use the B over the winter anyhow, but I am concious of improving the winter protection with a good, breathable and waterproof cover. I have found a couple of threads on the site, many of which seem quite a few years old.

But I do see that KC3 has recommended one from Specialised Covers, but was wondering if any of you has any recommendations before I look into a purchase.

Simon

I'd say don't bother.
My car stays out all winter and I bought one, like you, thinking that I would try and protect the car a bit. But once you are driving in winter you get so much crap stuck to your car from a short drive that there is too much risk of it getting on the inside of the cover and then scratching the paintwork. I've never used mine and will get around to putting it on ebay at some point!
xs

I have to agree with Shel. I spent quite a lot of money on a decent breathable waterproof cover for mine and stopped using it after a couple of months.

The two main (and quite significant) issues I found were;

> Although it was a fitted cover that has a soft inner lining it marked the painwork quite badly to the point where I paid a valleter to try and remove the marks. He did a very good job and used a whole bunch of professional valeting materials but was not able to remove all of the marks, several layers of wax later they have more or less disappeared.

> Condensation - this was a very significant issue and the main reason I stopped using it. The cover was breathable, in fact it had a number of openings so there were plenty of ways for the moisture to escape however it did not seem to work. Eventually the wiring began to suffer and the underside of the car and wheel arches were permanently damp, not wanting to induce overnight rusting I stopped using it!

I only use my cover if I am going away for a couple of weeks in which case I make sure the car is dry, cold and has not been driven for several hours before I fit it - I also use an additional layer of soft cloth between the car and the cover to reduce the marking a bit.


I use mine every day and she lives outside, as long as you hose over the bodywork, wheel arches and floorpan once every coupe of weeks you should be fine. Also make sure you have a layer of waxoil or underseal on the floorpan, treat the hood with conditioner and give the bodywork a good wax and you should be set for winter.

HTH

Thanks LRB and Shel, that is mightily reassuring to hear, as I did have some doubts over the potential risk and incidence of condensation even with a so called breathable cover. I was partialy thinking of it for those snowing and icing nights which could possibly accellerate penetration into the hood and rubbers, but I think I have been swayed to avoid the impulse.

But a recommendation on the make of waxoil used for the floor pan and, in particular the conditioner for the hood would be most appreciated to help focus on winter protection for now I think. The body work is regularly washed and wax polished as it is.

I've got one packed away in a bag if you want it..Got a house with a 4 bay garage...!

Stopped using the cover, not because it damaged the car but because a wet cover in the morning was a *od to remove. Anyone fancy the new sport of wet parachute wrestling? 'Specially in a gale.

SR Riviera said:

But a recommendation on the make of waxoil used for the floor pan and, in particular the conditioner for the hood would be most appreciated to help focus on winter protection for now I think. The body work is regularly washed and wax polished as it is.

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I used waxoyl from Halfords, you can get it cheaper if you shop around but Halfords is convinient; http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_196295_langId_-1_categoryId_165594

And I use the Turlewax hood treatment, again from Halfords; http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_215996_langId_-1_categoryId_165682

Rustbucket said:

Anyone fancy the new sport of wet parachute wrestling? 'Specially in a gale.

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No thanks, been there - done that!!

Thanks for the waxoyl and hood treatment details LRB - that's all conveniently been added to my Christmas list !!

hi to all...
have you find anywhere a waterproof cover only for the hood...?

I'll add my two pennies to this if it's worth anything.

Covers should not be used to keep a car dry. Only to stop dust and other light deposits landing on your car or to stop the snow over night. No matter how much you spend on a cover eventually your car will rust from inside out as the air is not circulating correctly. Condensation will build up in areas you can not see. A cover is the worst thing to use. Not so bad if you use it for the odd night only. You can get covers just for the hood but again theses rott your hood due to no air flow.

Best thing if you really want to cover it is a gazebo of sorts.

Think - A house will have issues if it's not lived in with heating \ air ventilation. So will cars....
Say no to covers - also if you garage your car you will also suffer the same issues. This is why dry storing was created. And if you do leave it stood, take of the hand brake and leave it in gear. If you can remove the wheels. This will stop the wheels \ brakes sezing. If a car was meant to live under a cover al car companies would offer them on their options list..

Cars have to move or they will rust. FACT water and still air rust cars.

TSAF said:

hi to all...
have you find anywhere a waterproof cover only for the hood...?

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i found one on ebay which now sits in a shed with the full cover i bought!! so its a good polish and auto glym soft top treatment for me much easier and no problems with it so far !!!

I think mildew's also an issue when using these covers. I just spent half an hour yesterday removing it from the inside of the hood...

Honestly all don't bother. Save your money. The cover will promote rust as the water is not blow drying.

Nino_1975 said:

Honestly all don't bother. Save your money. The cover will promote rust as the water is not blow drying.

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Agreed, spend your money on beer/wine!

Or decorating your hall

:chin: Hmmmmmmm, might actually get around to that this year!

:hm:

Hmmm, where have I heard that one before!!

I must do it in the next month or so, I am really fed up with looking at a hall with no plaster on the walls!! Mind you that said I have had 2 plasterers agree to do the work and then not bother turning up!

You probably meant to say that you've had two plastered blokes agreeing to do it up.

Robot said:

You probably meant to say that you've had two plastered blokes agreeing to do it up.

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Same difference!!