The Cover Company Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am not sure what I need, is there someone I can chat through my needs with?

A. Definitely, our team of experts are available to talk you through the whole process, to help guide you to the best solution for you. Call us now on 01432 379357.

Q. Are your outdoor covers waterproof?

A. No, a fully waterproof cover would never allow moisture trapped underneath to escape - potentially highly damaging to a vehicles finish and condition, particularly with today's water based paints.

Our covers are fully breathable and highly water resistant. Breathability is the ability for condensation and moisture to evaporate and pass through the fabric. No cover is truly waterproof. A so-called 'fully waterproof' cover will trap condensation underneath. Condensation forms on all covered vehicles due to the thermal barrier created by the cover.

In order to prevent moisture lingering and to prevent mildewing of both the cover and the vehicle a breathable fabric is designed to allow trapped moisture to evaporate and the cover to dry.

The fabrics we use are highly water resistant – between 92-96%. In damp atmospherics, high humidity or if a cover is placed on a very cold vehicle condensation will form.

During recent winters frost and snow have given way to frequent extremely heavy and prolonged rainstorms. Summer rainstorms are now 'tropical' in nature with a couple of inches falling in a few hours. In such conditions it is inevitable that some moisture will pass through the cover. It will evaporate out but it will take time. In extended rainstorms even the best fabrics will absorb varying amounts of moisture.

Q. Can I use a cover in windy conditions?

A. We, in common, with almost all vehicle cover suppliers (although most will not mention it up front) do not recommend the use of a cover in windy conditions. A cover allowed to flap against the same part of bodywork for any time could lead to scuff damage.

The perception can be because a good quality fully tailored cover has been purchased it will withstand any high wind and storm conditions. Recent summer and winter storms have demonstrated a ferocity that has not been seen for a very long time. Swirling, twisting gale force winds rip mature trees from the ground, motorways and major bridges are closed because 44 tonne trucks are being blown over, roads are closed to cars fitted with a Roofbox and someone will call saying their car cover has come off. If domestic washing were left out overnight in the same conditions, it would guarantee that not a stitch would be left on the line. It would be miles away.

A cover used in such conditions is entirely at your own risk. Any warranty covers manufacturing faults not storm damage.

Q. What is the difference between a fully tailored and semi-tailored/generic covers?

A. We think of it like a made-to-measure or an off the peg suit.

A fully tailored cover requires someone very experienced to measure the vehicle accurately and to produce a full pattern. That pattern is much more complex and has to be stored for potential future orders. The current library is 55,000 different patterns. Add a spoiler and a new pattern has to be created. When the cover is cut out, it is a one-off exercise. The whole exercise is very labour intensive but the end result is similarly satisfying to a very good quality made-to-measure suit.

The semi-tailored / generic cover is made to fit a series of similar shaped vehicles. An example is the Toyota Celica and the Hyundai Coupe. The outline is very close allowing one cover to fit both. Detail differences would prevent a fully tailored cover fitting both. The generic nature of these covers means that a large batch of covers can be laid on the cutting table and produced at the same time. The labour cost per cover is spread.

Q. Will the covers cause damage to the bodywork?

A. Most customers remember the totally waterproof nylon car covers of the 1980's. They sold at about £14.99 and were likely to cause more damage than they could prevent. The bodywork was often damaged by the fixing straps. If used for more than a few hours it was advised that a cotton sheet was placed on the vehicle to absorb the condensation that was trapped underneath. The sheet also helped protect the paintwork from being scuffed by the harsh nylon material. When used for a few days, the cotton absorbed so much condensation, the desire to keep the vehicle dry was truly defeated. Given a very windy night, many of the covers turned into bunting.

The covers we supply are 90 - 96% waterproof but more importantly, breathable. This allows condensation to escape. All the outdoor covers will protect against the most harmful air borne industrial pollutants, natural pollutants like bird droppings and tree sap, snow, ice, rain, and are resistant to ultraviolet light which damages paintwork (particularly reds) so much. The covers come with elasticated hems and fixing straps to ensure a snug fit and to minimise movement. The fully tailored range come with a cable and lock. Extra elasticated straps or even a transit net are available to fit over the cover if continually exposed to very windy conditions or if the vehicle is being trailored.

The indoor covers are specifically made for protecting the vehicle in an enclosed environment and will protect the vehicle from dust, scratches and knocks.

Q. Are your covers a good fit?

A. The main reason for this question is the perception that all car covers come in small, medium or large. Enter a Car Accessory store and that is your choice.

It goes without saying that a fully tailored cover will fit like a made to measure suit.

The semi-tailored / generic ranges are made up of series of cover designs to fit a similar range of vehicles. A Peugeot 406, Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat have a very similar profile. The same cover fits all three. Covers are made for similar ranges of vehicles and fit very well indeed. You won't be left with a great overhang to try and tuck up somewhere or trying to stretch the cover like a drum skin to get it over the boot.

Q. Will your cover fit a convertible or open topped car?

A. Yes, there are many patterns in the fully tailored range. Many convertibles have a similar profile to their tin topped brethren when the roof is up so in the majority of cases the tin top semi-tailored/generic cover fits the convertible.

It is important that the roof is up when the cover if fitted to prevent the cover forming into a bowl and collecting rainwater. The same is true of the open top. The cover will need to be supported in some way for the same reason.

Q. Do all your fully tailored cover patterns include mirror pockets?

A. Door Mirrors did not become a factory fitted item until the early 1980's. Any mirrors (door or wing) on cars prior to 1980 were usually an added accessory. The positioning was random, decided by the owner or mechanic fitting them. This makes it impossible to fit mirror pockets as standard.

As a rule, the patterns for vehicles with factory fitted Door Mirrors will include the pockets as standard. Most patterns for vehicles prior to 1980 do not.

Accessory mirrors of the '60's & '70's were much smaller than today's Door Mirrors. In the majority of cases, the cover will have enough 'give' to pass around an accessory door mirror without the need for added pockets

The patterns do not make provision for additional Wing Mirrors. Additional self-fit mirror pockets can be arranged if the mirrors are not easily removable.

Q. Can I get into the car when the cover is on?

A. The Alpine and Dakar ranges have a door zip to allow entry. The zip has a protective flap inside to protect the vehicle.