Saturday, May 17, 2008

Indoor Car Covers

Indoor Car Cover Fabric Guide

The fabrics we have rated in the chart below are primarily designed for protection of cars indoors. For short periods of time and on a limited basis, some can be used at outdoor events, such as car shows, but if you plan on using your car cover outdoors often, and outdoor car cover fabric will provide much greater protection from the elements. Any of the indoor car cover materials below as well as the outdoor fabric types can be used to protect your car in your garage or other indoor storage facility. Click here to print this indoor car cover guide

Outdoor Car Cover Guide

Fabric Polycotton Tan Flannel Dustop Form-Fit
Color Gray Tan Taupe Six (6) colors
COST $$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$$
Outdoor Use Fair Fair Fair Fair
Indoor Use Good Better Best Better
   
Performance  
All-Weather Protection Poor Poor Poor Poor
Resists:  
Rain
 Poor Poor Fair Poor
Snow
 Poor Poor Poor Poor
Acid Rain
No No No No
Dirt / Dust
Fair Fair Best Better
UV (sun) Damage
Fair Good Good Good
Bird Droppings
Poor Poor Good Poor
Tree Sap
Poor Poor Good Poor
Breathability
 Best Best Best Best
Heat Insulation
Fair Good Good Good
"Soft" Touch
Good Best Best Best+
Ding Protection
Minimal Better Best Best
Ease of Handling in Wind
Fair Good Good Good
Storage Space Required
Medium Medium Large Medium
Mildew / Rot Resistant
Yes Yes Yes No
Cleaning / Care        
Wash
 Home Home Commercial Home
Dry
 Low Low Air Low
  Smaller covers can be washed at home but commercial washers provide the best cleaning & rinsing
Limited Warranty* 90 days 90 days 4 years 4 years
* Warranty is for defects in material and workmanship & against the fabric becoming unserviceable. We will repair or replace after factory inspection.

Definitions of our criteria for performance:

  • RAIN – While no car cover fabrics are truly waterproof (this would prevent moisture under the cover from evaporating, causing damage), some covers absorb less water than others and provide better protection from rain.
  • SNOW – Snow buildup on a car cover eventually melts, and some car covers absorb less of the melted snow than others.
  • ACID RAIN – Acid rain contains many contaminants that indoor car covers are generally not designed to protect against.
  • DIRT / DUST – An indoor car cover’s function is often to protect the vehicle from dust, and some fabrics are more effective at this.
  • UV (sun) DAMAGE – UV rays can be very damaging to your car’s paint job or interior. The “Best” rated cars offer 100% UV protection.
  • BIRD DROPPINGS – The best outdoor car cover fabrics no not allow bird dropping to penetrate the material, protecting your car’s exterior.
  • TREE SAP – Tree sap can be damaging to a car’s surface and difficult to clean. “Best” rated fabrics prevent most tree sap types from reaching your car’s paint.
  • BREATHABILITY – Indoor car covers need to be breathable in order to allow air circulation, which prevent heat and moisture buildup under the cover. The “best” rated fabrics provide maximum air circulation.
  • HEAT INSULATION – Thicker indoor cover fabrics provide insulation from heat on warm days.
  • SOFT TOUCH – Softer fabrics ensure that your delicate paint retains its flawless finish. Higher rated fabrics have the softest inside layer.
  • DING PROTECTION – The thickness of the fabrics determines how much protection your car has from nicks and dents.
  • EASE OF HANDLING IN THE WIND – Many covers can catch wind and be difficult to manipulate, but certain fabrics are designed to handle windy days with ease.
  • STORAGE SPACE REQUIRE – Many people don’t have space to carry around a bulky indoor car cover, so our ratings help you determine if you will have the room for transportation and storage.
  • MILDEW / ROT RESISTANT - All Covercraft fabrics are treated with inhibitors to minimize mold and mildew.

    • © Covercraft Industries, Inc.