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Some people have asked from time to time about car covers. I put this little thread together to try to put in one spot some of the information I've found more useful.
Some basics:
Custom cover v. generic size
If you buy from WalMart or Discount Auto Parts, you're buying a generic cover. This cover will be made to fit a general class of car sizes, but will not be fitted to your car. The quality will be low and the movement of the cover across the finish of the car can hurt it more than protect it. On the other hand, the generic covers might be less expensive.
A custom cover is made from a pattern specifically tailored for your car. However, if you have extraordinarily large ground effects or wings, the custom covers may not fit because the cover is made for the factory car dimensions. But minor variations (like my W68 ground effects) will work just fine with the custom car covers available.
The three parts of making and selling the cover:
The Seller/Distributor is the place that sells you the cover. For example, California Car Cover is an excellent source for covers. However, California Car Covers does not manufacture covers; they take your order and then place an order with the Cover Manufacturer. Usually, the Cover Manufacturer will then ship the cover directly to you.
The Cover Manufacturer buys fabrics, designs cover patterns to fit various models of cars, and manufacturers the covers. The big Cover Manufacturer is Covercraft.
The Fabric Manufacturer is the Cover Manufacturer's source for the cover fabrics. Some of the more common Fabric Manufacurers are Kimberly-Clark and Nextec.
Overall cover information I found useful:
http://www.miata.net/faq/carcover.html
http://www.covercraft.com/cover_faq.htm
Some good comparisons of different covers:
http://www.covercraft.com/cover_fabrics.htm
http://www.calcarcover.com/car_cover_select.asp
Note that California Car Cover ("CCC") sometimes gives some of the covers different names than that of the manufacturers. For example, the Weathershield is called "Superweave."
I bought Weathershield; see more about it here:
http://www.calcarcover.com/car_cover_superweave.asp
http://www.covercraft.com/weathershield.htm
http://www.nextec.com/thetech/
Where to buy?
Do a search for "car covers" on Google; you'll find lots of places.
Where did I buy?
I bought my Weathershield cover from here; he was $20 less expensive than California Car Covers. My cover arrived quickly and was exactly what I ordered. However,you need to comparison shop and judge for yourself:
http://www.bigskycarcover.com/
[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: Everglades W68 ]</p>
Some basics:
Custom cover v. generic size
If you buy from WalMart or Discount Auto Parts, you're buying a generic cover. This cover will be made to fit a general class of car sizes, but will not be fitted to your car. The quality will be low and the movement of the cover across the finish of the car can hurt it more than protect it. On the other hand, the generic covers might be less expensive.
A custom cover is made from a pattern specifically tailored for your car. However, if you have extraordinarily large ground effects or wings, the custom covers may not fit because the cover is made for the factory car dimensions. But minor variations (like my W68 ground effects) will work just fine with the custom car covers available.
The three parts of making and selling the cover:
The Seller/Distributor is the place that sells you the cover. For example, California Car Cover is an excellent source for covers. However, California Car Covers does not manufacture covers; they take your order and then place an order with the Cover Manufacturer. Usually, the Cover Manufacturer will then ship the cover directly to you.
The Cover Manufacturer buys fabrics, designs cover patterns to fit various models of cars, and manufacturers the covers. The big Cover Manufacturer is Covercraft.
The Fabric Manufacturer is the Cover Manufacturer's source for the cover fabrics. Some of the more common Fabric Manufacurers are Kimberly-Clark and Nextec.
Overall cover information I found useful:
http://www.miata.net/faq/carcover.html
http://www.covercraft.com/cover_faq.htm
Some good comparisons of different covers:
http://www.covercraft.com/cover_fabrics.htm
http://www.calcarcover.com/car_cover_select.asp
Note that California Car Cover ("CCC") sometimes gives some of the covers different names than that of the manufacturers. For example, the Weathershield is called "Superweave."
I bought Weathershield; see more about it here:
http://www.calcarcover.com/car_cover_superweave.asp
http://www.covercraft.com/weathershield.htm
http://www.nextec.com/thetech/
Where to buy?
Do a search for "car covers" on Google; you'll find lots of places.
Where did I buy?
I bought my Weathershield cover from here; he was $20 less expensive than California Car Covers. My cover arrived quickly and was exactly what I ordered. However,you need to comparison shop and judge for yourself:
http://www.bigskycarcover.com/
[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: Everglades W68 ]</p>
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