Having a car allows you to be free to move wherever you want. But you have to take good care of it. In fact, a vehicle needs a shelter, whether it is parked in a closed garage or outside, especially if it is not driven every day. Fortunately, there is practical and effective equipment on the market, dedicated to this purpose.
A car cover is specifically designed to provide protection. However, finding the model that suits your vehicle is not always easy. Find out in this article how to choose the ideal car cover.
What is a car cover?
The car cover is a kind of protective tarpaulin, dedicated to fully cover the whole vehicle. Its objective is to protect it against the damage generated by the climate. This car accessory is extremely essential if you do not have a shed or an enclosed garage to park your car. It protects the latter against bad weather ( UV rays , rain or snow).
Outdoor car covers
There is a wide range of car covers available. Frost covers, among other things, only protect the windshield.
The outer covers are often made of synthetic and waterproof materials (polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene-vinyl acetate, neoprene, etc.). They are used to protect the body against rain, snow, bird droppings, etc. They also protect the car body from friction, shocks and corrosion.
Most outdoor models have a soft fabric lining on their inside to protect the car's paint. An anti-scratch fabric makes up the outer face. The hail protection cover generally has the same materials and finishes as the standard model. Innovative models even include a lock.
Indoor protective covers
Among these, car seat covers are models dedicated to car seats. Composed of polypropylene tarpaulin, they cover the headrest, seat and backrest in one piece. Their function is to decorate the passenger compartment and to protect the seats against dust and condensation. The material must therefore be flexible and resistant.
These protective covers are used to hide the original seats to prevent minor damage such as wear caused by animal claws, friction and dirt. They also make it possible to cover old coatings or damaged parts. The idea is to beautify them and give them a new life in addition to allowing you to customize your car to your image.
Several variations are possible in terms of colors, patterns or materials. Indoor car covers have an outer face in polypropylene, polyester jersey fabric, Lycra or cotton. The inner face is made of anti-scratch fabric or velvet.
These models are often equipped with adjustable elastic bands to perfectly fit the size of the car. They can be fixed with eyelets for straps and closed with a zipped opening (Nylon fasteners). This auto accessory has a storage bag to store it when you are not using it.
You wanted a car cover for women? There is something for all needs and all expectations. The choice depends on your goal. Various factors must be taken into account to find the auto accessory that suits your car model.
The car cover for dogs: what is it?
The bench seat covers do not fit the dog box. This equipment requires very specific protection. You must first place your dog on a blanket in its transport crate, which will then be covered with a waterproof fabric with straps. It is also possible to use a dog seat cover, which will cover the back seat of the vehicle.
The different shapes of car covers
This protective element is available in different formats. The custom-fit cover is suitable for larger vehicles, such as a truck, RV, SUV, or utility vehicles. It perfectly matches the shape of automobiles. Pockets are available to cover specific body parts (mirrors, tires, etc.).
The inflatable cover is aimed more at vintage or luxury cars to offer optimal protection. It embeds a mains-powered electrical device to operate the fan, used to constantly renew the internal air of the cover. The car is installed on a floor mat to make it more waterproof, away from dust and humidity.
The criteria to take into account to find the right model
Faced with a huge offer on the market, it is not easy to choose the right car cover for you. A range of criteria must be considered, each as decisive as the other.
Usage
To determine the model of car cover to adopt, the first criterion to take into account is the use you want to make of it. For the outer cover, waterproofing is essential in order to protect the vehicle from bad weather which could damage your beautiful paintwork.
For indoor covers, the anti-dust, anti-dirt and treated car cover against shocks and micro-scratches, as well as other external aggressions is suitable for you.
The material used
In addition to the place of storage, choose a good quality material. It comes in different types: PVC, nylon, Moltex, etc. But pay particular attention to its features. Scratches on liners and stiff seams may damage the paintwork.
If you'll be parking for an unlimited amount of time outdoors, you should choose a waterproof, breathable, and high-quality material like nylon. It will be better if it does not retain any moisture and is also machine washable for easy care. You can also choose leather provided that it has a woven lining. Otherwise, it causes micro-scratches on the car body.
Design
There's nothing nicer than having a tailor-made car cover, which exactly matches the sides of the cars. It adjusts to curves and accessories for better protection of your vehicle.
The practical side
Opt as best as possible for car covers that are not very thick and of more reasonable weight to facilitate their handling. These accessories sometimes come in a storage bag or case. Added to this is the size and customization of the vehicle. You can choose the colors according to your wishes.