How to Buy and Use a Car Cover

Those costly paint jobs deserve the protection of a car cover.

Car covers can be a misunderstood lot. There are those car enthusiastswho spend thousands on creating their dream car, devote countless hoursresearching and learning about their beloved autos, and then spendless than five minutes picking out the very product that can be mostvital to its protection. We see it all the time: a pristine car trappedunderneath a "shower cap" that a painter wouldn't use to cover a floor.When asked why one would even think of using such an unworthy roll ofcloth over their car, the answer is invariably, "Eh, a car cover is acar cover, right?" Wrong.

Technology and chemistry have caught up with the car cover, makingtoday's covers marvels of protection. The key is not so much choosingone particular brand over another, but taking the time to considerexactly what it is you want from a car cover. That may sound strange,considering the "a cover is a cover" mentality, but modern covers offera variety of features and options tailored to the needs of you and yourcar. To investigate this, we spoke with Bruce Williamson, Director ofSales & Marketing, Nonwoven Fabrics, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, makersof BLOCK-IT(R) car cover fabrics, to learn about what car owners need tokeep in mind when searching for the perfect cover.

Protection from What?

Ask a 100 car enthusiasts what they want a car cover for and you couldvery well get a 100 different answers, but the common thread will beprotection.

"Car owners," Williamson begins, "are mainly concerned about protectingtheir investments, but for a variety of reasons. They may wantprotection from tree sap, rain, snow, sleet, or sun. Or if they're closeto the ocean, salt. But protecting the investment is almost always themain concern."

Car covers do more than protect against damage as a concealed car is less likely to invite potential thieves as well.

High quality outdoor car covers are specifically designed do this withUV protection and waterproof, breathable fabrics to guard against theelements. Breathability and UV chemistry are paramount to the lastingprotection of an outdoor cover. Without breathable fabrics moisture canbecome trapped under a car cover and ultimately damage your car's paint,while UV protection blocks the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays toprevent fading. Just how important UV protection is can be appreciatedby learning that UV chemistry is generally one of the most expensiveparts a manufacture puts into their covers. For example, Kimberly-Clarkputs the same UV chemistry in clear coat paints as they do in their carcover fabrics.

But what about the people that only park their precious cars in agarage? Do they need all that breathability and UV chemistry? Few carlovers are aware of many indoor covers that don't feature the sameelement protection of outdoor covers but are perfect in for them in twoother ways.

"When we hear from folks that park their cars inside," Williamson says, "they mainly have two concerns: dust and objects falling against thecar."

Most people do not have a garage as clean and tidy as top Nextel Cupteams, so there are bound to be rakes, shovels, bicycles, pets, or ahundred other objects just waiting to topple over and scar a vehicle'sfinish.

"For that reason, we encourage people to get a thick four- or five-layercover to protect against items falling in their garages," saysWilliamson.

Protection from the elements and damage are certainly the most commonreasons why people buy car covers, but there are more hazards toconsider such as protection against theft.

"A car cover, obviously, works to protect the outside of your car,"Williamson says. "What is seldom thought of, however, is that they alsoserve to protect the inside of your car as well."

How? The old cliche works here: Out of sight, out of mind. Sure, ananti-theft device such a car alarm or steering wheel lock work well asdeterrents, but what they don't do is conceal your car and its interior.Potential thieves rarely go for what they can't see and besides a garagea car cover is the next best thing in cloaking your car from prying eyesand crowbars.