Must use car cover daily. Recommendations for best way to protect the finish.

[BM1024]

My son is being sold a 2000 Toyota by his grandfather. One of the conditions of the sale is that this previously garaged car be covered nightly.

I'm of the belief that a cover should only be applied to a newly cleaned car, but Grandpa is firm.

I'm thinking a QD applied to a plush microfiber for a quick 5 minute wipe down before putting the cover on.

What are the opinions on the best way for my son to protect his paint while at the same time adhering to his agreement? (And please don't suggest anything that doesn't included using the cover - it's a deal breaker.)

[Setec Astronomy]

I'd use a waterless wash rather than a QD. Of course I don't like waterless washes much, so I'd use a rinseless wash.

[KneeDragr]

Look for another car would be my suggestion. Unless this car is some sort of rare item that investing in a 2500$ clear bra treatment is worth it.

[MarkD51]

Some inevitable truths I've learned about car covers.

That no matter if the car is garaged and covered, or not garaged and covered, (the latter is what I do with my Tahoe in my Avatar) fact is, a car cover will eventually get dirty.

It is this as one cause that will eventually cause marring. It will happen to a lesser extent to a garaged vehicle that is covered, but outdoors, and due to blowing winds, dirts-dusts will eventually get under the cover no matter how tightly you "wrap" the vehicle with all the cords, and straps you would care to use.

The other I've found, and it has happened with two covercraft covers I've owned, the softer NOAH, and the more heavy duty but tougher Weathershield HD Cover, that with winds, and a combination of dirts/dusts and the seams, you very might well get marring where there are strategic seams in the cover.

Here in the southwest desert, it is not unusual to get 30-40 MPH winds and gusts.

The cover will billow, and lift and drop repeatedly, and again, no matter how well you tie down a cover.

And in regards to that, I found that with the first NOAH cover I had, the more I tied it down with gust guard straps, the more stress I placed on the hems, and corners of the cover, and actually accelerated wear, and tearing of this cover.

With my newer Weathershield HD Cover, all I secure the cover with, is the centrally located eyelets on either side for a security cable which goes under the vehicle.

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I would buy a touchless car cover
All car covers do are micro Mar when you constantly take on and off

[MarkD51]

If the car is a daily driver, covering and uncovering on a daily basis get's old very quick!

Some other alternatives could be like what my Tahoe sits under, a Carport Canopy which does offer some protection, especially from things like damaging hail, and sometimes the brunt of rain storms. The greater the overhang front back, and the sides, the better the protection it will offer against sun (UV damage) and rain.

Another alternative, is a paint coating on the vehicle, which will be more durable than any waxes or sealants

[2black1s]

When I worked and had to leave my car in a parking lot all day long I would always use a cover to minimize the sun damage. Prior to putting the cover on I would use my California Duster to clean the car. The duster itself is the subject of many debates but that's another discussion.

Regardless of what method you use to clean the car prior to putting the cover on, the cover will cause some minor scratching and swirls over a period of time. In my case, the swirls were the lesser of two evils... swirls can be corrected, sun damage cannot.

If my car had to sit out overnight I wouldn't use a cover. My only criteria for using the cover was for protection from the sun.

I used three different material covers over the years but my favorite is the plain flannel-lined cotton cover. It is by far the gentlest on the paint. It's the "Plushweave" line from California Car Cover.

[Chloe92us]

I'm curious about this 16 year old Toyota! Is it a collector? Grandpa won't be very happy when he sees all the scratches the cover will inflict....

[LSNAutoDetailing]

I have a garage queen, which after purchasing a $200++ cover-craft car cover completely marred the paint. Now I have a $200++ car cover that will cover a shelf in my basement for all eternity. I had to do full paint correction a 2nd time and re-apply C.Quartz UK. Lesson learned, park it in the garage and forget about it. If it gets dusty, pull it out and do a NR wash (2bm) with Autogeek NR Wash Mitts, blow dry.

Covering a car just once for a season is a major pain, I could not see covering nightly. What is the reason for covering a 2000 Toyota (unless it's a Baja Race vehicle)????
Personally, if I had to cover a daily driver every night, I would get another car that didn't require a car cover.

Alternative Solution: Nano-Glass Ceramic coating (McKee's, CQ, CQUK, Opti-Coat, Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Coating.... list goes on). Self cleaning, scratch resistant, bird-bomb resistant, easy to maintain. A coating will create a ceramic/glass particle bond between your paint and the elements. If properly maintained, coatings can last years.

[FUNX650]

My son is being sold a 2000 Toyota by
his grandfather. One of the conditions
of the sale is that this previously garaged
car be covered nightly.

I'm of the belief that a cover should only
be applied to a newly cleaned car,
but Grandpa is firm.

What are the opinions on the best
way for my son to protect his paint
while at the same time adhering to
his agreement?

(And please don't suggest anything that
doesn't included using the cover -
it's a deal breaker.)

When it comes to the fulfillment
of this type of transaction:
Should your Son be forced to either
honor his Grandfather's conditions;
or, his Father's belief system?

Whew...
Glad it's not my call to be made public!


Bob