Do any of you guys own a car cover? I am going to buy one for my 96 maxima and am going on vacation for 2 weeks. Do you guys know what happens if you leave a car cover on for an extended period of time (assuming it will rain and be humid)?

Will anything happen to the paint or what not

thanks

gmax

 

I have a custom fit car cover for my Miata and a semi-custom/generic fit cover for my Max.

The most important thing to remember is to wash the car before you put the cover on. Dirt/dust/etc... on the surface of the car will be abbrasive for the surface when you put on/off the car cover, or as it slightly ruffles in the wind.

Most good car covers are breathable, so there's no problems using them. Don't use a tarp or plastic bag. I believe Nissan has an Evolution 4 cover (blue material) that's quite good. It's bulky, but fits good, provides some impact protection, isn't waterproof, but is breathable so the car will dry underneath after it gets wet. I believe the current name for that cover material is Technolon or Bock It 400. I have two covers for my Miata, one is made of Kimberly Clark Noah, which passes government waterproof standards and folds compact and small. It doesn't protect against door dings as well as the Evolution 4, but is definitely more water resistant and dries out faster. My other cover for the Miata is made of Weatherlock material, which I've found to work about the same or slightly better than the Noah material. It's a slightly stiffer fabric.

My Max cover is a semi-custom fit Barrier material. It seems to be a good compromise in terms of material between the Evolution 4 and the WeatherLock/Noah materials. I like it.

I'd say that the factory cover or a custom fit cover from CoverCraft would work good. I use the cover whenever I can (since I have several cars, I normally drive my Max and Miata during nice weather, then wash it or dust it off and cover it when I'm not using it). It helps prevent the dash from cracking, the interior from fading, the rubber seals around the windows and sunroof fresh, the paint looking fresh, etc... Certain material have 2-4 year warranties, and I've found CoverCraft to be good fit and stand behind their product. They replaced a defective cover for me.

Whatever your choice, I'd recommend spending the extra on the custom fit covers as they fit your car much better and are less likely to blow off. I have a cable under mine and use a clamp on the front plate area as well in all my cars so that even high winds don't tear the covers off. A car cover that flaps will wear away at the paint, so Custom is definitely what I'd recommend.

-V

 

just make sure you wash the car beforehand, or the dirt will get caked on there. You see, when you drive the car, dirt falls off, dirt get on. Then it stays there, dirt stays there. just trying to help.