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  Car Cover Frequently Asked Questions  

How important is it to get a custom-fit car cover? A car cover that doesn't fit properly can cause more damage than not having a cover at all. Wind can get under a loose, ill-fitting cover, severely scratching the finish when it flaps and shifts around. And, a custom-fit cover is much easier on the eye.

Should I get one that's waterproof? No! A good car cover fabric is water repellent, but not waterproof. Our quality covers have been treated with a DWR (durable water repellency) treatment during the manufacturing process, and keep normal rain from penetrating. But, the fabric must be able to breathe so that condensation or other moisture can evaporate through the cover. Moisture trapped under a waterproof cover can cause staining, mildew and, if left for an extended period of time, will cause the vehicle to rust. Generally, an uncovered car is better off than one under one of those ubiquitous blue plastic tarps.

How does Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) affect car covers? Inexpensive, untreated car covers literally rot after a year or so of use. Our car covers are far superior, because UVR inhibiting chemicals are added during fabric production. The fabrics used in our covers are the finest available and are amply treated with UVR inhibitors to make them last for years.

What's the best way to fold a cover? Remove the cover from the front and rear bumpers and fold each side up to the center of the roof. Continue folding in this manner, until the cover ends up about 2 feet wide. Then, fold the front and then the rear to the center of the roof and continue folding to the center until the folded fabric is about 3 feet long. This method of folding prevents scratches caused by the cover dragging across the car.

What's the best way to install a cover? The exact opposite of removal: lay the folded cover on the roof of the vehicle and gently unfold it, front to rear and then down the sides. If the cover has mirror pockets, place those over the mirrors first. Then gently pull the cover over the front and rear bumpers.

How should I clean my car cover? Keep your cover in a storage bag when not in use and don't be afraid to wash it. Dirt particles can compromise the water resistance of the fabric and can scratch the vehicles surface. Smaller, less bulky covers can be washed in a home washing machine, while larger covers may require a trip to a laundromat that has large commercial machines. Mild laundry detergents won't remove the UVR inhibitors or DWR treatment.

How should I dry a wet car cover? Since our car covers "breathe," the best way to dry it is to put it on a clean car since the moisture will evaporate through the car cover. Only our WeatherShield® line is made to be dried in a clothes dryer, the others have synthetic fibers that could melt in the high heat.

Won't a cover cause my car to get really hot inside on summer days? To the contrary, just as parking in the shade helps keep cool, so does putting on a car cover since much of the sunlight is blocked. In addition--security permitting--we recommend lowering your windows an inch or two to allow air to circulate through the cover and the car.

How does snow affect my car cover? We recommend that you brush the snow off your car cover after it snows (or even during, if there's an especially heavy storm happening). There is no danger to the cover from simply having snow on it. Rather, if the snow partially melts once the sun comes out and then re-freezes, the cover could become frozen to the car.

Any other hints or tips on car covers? We don't recommend using lock and cable mechanisms to secure your car cover since there is a danger of the lock damaging your car in heavy winds.

A note about the sizing chart in our print catalog: On our website, you get an exact price for the year, make and model vehicle's car cover you're shopping for. In our print catalog, however, we've given examples of vehicles and labeled them "Small," "Medium," etc. to give a general estimate of the prices. We work very closely with our manufacturer to determine the correct cover for each vehicle. Some vehicles, although smaller, have a more complex body shape and so require a different price. Think of it like this: gift-wrapping a box is pretty easy… but gift-wrapping a football is a much bigger challenge!

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