PROPER CARE

Though a car cover can provide plenty of protection, it can also inadvertently cause damage to your car if you do not care for it. One of the most common mistakes is putting a car cover on a dirty vehicle. The interior lining can move dirt and abrasive debris around as you are putting on the cover, causing scratches. Rinse off or dust your car before applying a cover.

During windy conditions, a cover can be blown away if it is not properly secured. Tie-downs are available to keep the cover on the vehicle, and heavier covers are less likely to be affected if you live in a windy area.

Covers should not be used on a vehicle if you are towing it or carrying it on an open trailer. The cover will be more likely to flap in the wind, and dust and debris from the road can become trapped beneath the cover and create scratches.

The California Car Cover Company says vehicles that have recently been repainted should not be covered until the paint has had time to cure. The painter can inform you how much time you should allow before using a cover.

Some pollutants can create a haze on the paint or glass after a vehicle has been covered. However, these can be easily removed with a damp cloth or water rinse.

In some winter conditions, a car cover can become frozen to the vehicle if a layer of ice forms between the cover and finish. If this occurs, the cover should be slowly removed only after you have melted the ice layer with applications of warm water.

A cover should not be placed on the vehicle until the car has had time to cool down. Hot exhaust pipes can damage a cover or even present a fire hazard.

Finally, your cover will take plenty of abuse and should be washed periodically. A dirty car cover can transfer pollutants to the paint and glass, and it can also start to pull water through the cover where it will make contact with the vehicle. A cover can be cleaned in a commercial washer or by hand, and it can be returned to the vehicle once it has been allowed to air dry.