Omega Owners Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Please check the Forum Guidelines at the top of the Newbie section

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Car cover  (Read 1695 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

joshwyatt

  • Omega Baron
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Oxford
  • Posts: 2057
    • View Profile
Car cover
« on: 17 November 2010, 23:00:01 »

I've been thinking about buying a car cover to fit an Omega saloon. My Omega is always parked on my gravel drive, either under a tree or just on the gravel. So, I either get gravel dust that comes up when it rains or tree sap and bird poo etc.
On ebay there are some generic car covers that'd fit an Omega. Has anyone ever bought one? Or did VX produce a proper tailored one? Any recommendations?
« Last Edit: 17 November 2010, 23:02:28 by joshwyatt »
Logged

Lazydocker

  • Omega Queen
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Woodbridge, Suffolk
  • Posts: 18848
  • Constantly Bullied by a certain Admin
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #1 on: 17 November 2010, 23:05:00 »

Only advice I'd give is to make sure it's a good quality, breathable one, otherwise you could have all sorts of problems
Logged
Whatever it is... I didn't do it

Entwood

  • Omega Queen
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • North Wiltshire
  • Posts: 19566
  • My Old 3.2 V6 Elite (LPG)
    • Audi A6 Allroad 3.0 DTI
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #2 on: 17 November 2010, 23:10:18 »

The only "experience" I have with car covers was my late uncle some years back.

He decided that as he didn't use his car much it would protect the car from birds/dirt etc ... as you say.... so he got one and fitted it IAW the instructions.

He then had 2 major problems with 3 months.

Certain areas of the car paintwork were badly marked by the cover rubbing when moving in the wind. Some bits polished out, but others actually needed repainting they were "worn" that much.

He also has serious damp issues inside the car, seems the covers prevented any "natural" ventilation.

Now, I accept his car was stood, covered, for long periods, and you may not leave yours for such long periods ... but I would be very hesitant to use one myself, based on his experience..

HTH  :)
Logged

joshwyatt

  • Omega Baron
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Oxford
  • Posts: 2057
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #3 on: 17 November 2010, 23:13:01 »

Something good to consider Paul, thanks. Some are as cheap as £10. The breathable one's seem to be nearer £50. It makes sense to get breathable, or condensation could build up on the inside which wouldn't be good.
My only concern really is the 'universal' nature of them, I doubt they'd be a very good fit. I was hoping VX made one which would be tailored to the Omega.

joshwyatt

  • Omega Baron
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Oxford
  • Posts: 2057
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #4 on: 17 November 2010, 23:18:24 »

Quote
The only "experience" I have with car covers was my late uncle some years back.

He decided that as he didn't use his car much it would protect the car from birds/dirt etc ... as you say.... so he got one and fitted it IAW the instructions.

He then had 2 major problems with 3 months.

Certain areas of the car paintwork were badly marked by the cover rubbing when moving in the wind. Some bits polished out, but others actually needed repainting they were "worn" that much.

He also has serious damp issues inside the car, seems the covers prevented any "natural" ventilation.

Now, I accept his car was stood, covered, for long periods, and you may not leave yours for such long periods ... but I would be very hesitant to use one myself, based on his experience..

HTH  :)

Ah, that's not something I'd even considered. The wind does tear up and down the drive a fair bit. Some of them feel like the smae mateiral that garden marquees are made from, and they can be quite rough. Thank you Nige...I wouldn't want to end up causing more damage than I'd be preventing  :y

Dishevelled Den

  • Omega Queen
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12545
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #5 on: 17 November 2010, 23:28:21 »

Have a look through the various classic car mags Josh, you'll find the likes of this......



http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/acatalog/OutdoorCoverCar.html


http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/acatalog/info_MT.html
« Last Edit: 17 November 2010, 23:29:47 by Zulu77 »
Logged

Kevin Wood

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Alton, Hampshire
  • Posts: 36417
    • Jaguar XE 25t, Westfield
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #6 on: 17 November 2010, 23:42:48 »

As said, you can't win really. They need to have a soft lining and fit tightly so they don't flap around over the paintwork and damage it, but they need to let the car breathe so they don't trap moisture against the car. Soft linings absorb water... Breathable fabrics aren't 100% watertight, especially when fitted tight.

A mate of mine left a TVR under covers for a few months in the winter once. The paintwork bubbled all over the car and the leather interior just rotted away. OK, that was a GRP body, and not a desperately well made car in the first place, but, as you can see, they can be counter-productive. :-/

Kevin
Logged
Tech2 services currently available. See TheBoy's price list: http://theboy.omegaowners.com/

feeutfo

  • Guest
Re: Car cover
« Reply #7 on: 17 November 2010, 23:45:22 »

Bike covers are exactly the same. Constant use will muller the paint.

Only thing I would consider is a car port of some sort. Either constructed permanent with foundations maybe? or a possibly a portable canvas afair. A tent with no sides basically. But what ever is put up will get covered in shite as well obviously.

Maybe a "lean to" on the side of the house by the gate? Maybe? Timber frame with a ply and felt roof? Could probably buy the materials for half the price of portable joby.  :-/
Logged

05omegav6

  • Guest
Re: Car cover
« Reply #8 on: 17 November 2010, 23:50:53 »

Might be a bit late in the year, but...

Old stock gazebo/marquee of a suitable size from homebase or similar. Usually well discounted in sale, approx £100 regular price. They can be 10'x20', so plenty big enough for a mig.

Failing that, give the car a bl**dy got clean and polish, topped with a coat or two of wax and just park it up. If you pick any leaves/twigs of it, keep the scuttles clear and wipe off any bird poo when you spot any, then it should just need a quick rinse before you next use the car.

Al. :y
Logged

05omegav6

  • Guest
Re: Car cover
« Reply #9 on: 17 November 2010, 23:59:34 »

P.s. I have a boat that is covered with a woven acrylic cover. Keeps all the water out, is breathable :), (boat is bone dry inside) :), and durable (lasted 7 years so far) :). One of the best £1500 I've spent :y.
But it does wear away the paint where it rubs in the breeze. Have to touch up every year. >:(
Would have thought about £300 - £400 for a well made one, that is made with careful measurement of your car, and well secured. Polystyrene pads will help keep the cover off the car, but will still scratch where they move in the breeze/gales. :-/
Logged

Kneepad

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • West Scotland
  • Posts: 1409
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #10 on: 18 November 2010, 00:08:57 »



Cut the tree down then tarmac the drive.  ;D
Logged

henryd

  • Omega Lord
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • west cornwall
  • Posts: 8806
  • VW Touareg R5 tdi Auto
    • View Profile
Re: Car cover
« Reply #11 on: 18 November 2010, 10:44:17 »

I have always been wary of covers,unless the car is clean and dry to start with the inside of the cover will pick up dust/dirt and use it to mark the paintwork with wind flapping ,I think they are best used as dust covers for cars that are stored under cover
Logged
other rides 
  mk3 Volvo v70 2.0 Diesel ,Citroen C2, Pug 306 cabriolet
  Sterling elite trekker pikey wagon

mantahatch

  • Guest
Re: Car cover
« Reply #12 on: 18 November 2010, 11:20:25 »

These are good but very pricey http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoons/index.asp

Should add they do indoor and outdoor versions.
« Last Edit: 18 November 2010, 11:22:20 by mantahatch »
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.012 seconds with 16 queries.