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J1 Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014 Posts: 698 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:18 pm Post subject: DIY car cover? |
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My Ghia has been kicked out of the garage. I’ve had multiple car covers including the one from KGPR and other mid range covers. At most they’ve lasted about 6 months before leaving a pile of dust everywhere.
I know there are the $500 covers made with Sunbrella (acrylic) that is very durable. I have a patio cover made from Sunbrella that is still in one piece after a decade.
I’m thinking of buying some Olefin material which is supposed to be about the same durability as Sunbrella for about $200 to DIY.
Thoughts? Suggestions? _________________ 1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
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Braukuche Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11005
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 7:08 am Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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J1 wrote: |
My Ghia has been kicked out of the garage. I’ve had multiple car covers including the one from KGPR and other mid range covers. At most they’ve lasted about 6 months before leaving a pile of dust everywhere.
I know there are the $500 covers made with Sunbrella (acrylic) that is very durable. I have a patio cover made from Sunbrella that is still in one piece after a decade.
I’m thinking of buying some Olefin material which is supposed to be about the same durability as Sunbrella for about $200 to DIY.
Thoughts? Suggestions? |
I’ve been doing some research of car covers especially for outside and one argument is they do more harm than good. They hold in moisture, scratch the paint, etc. The best option is to buy a temporary structure to shelter it like a canopy if that’s feasible. _________________ Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now |
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tommu Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2011 Posts: 618 Location: L.A.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:15 am Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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I guess it depends where you live. Here in SoCal the sun is brutal, it'll strip your paint in a few years. But it's not damp.
I have the KGPR cover right now and it's holding up fine for now but for sure it won't last years. _________________ |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13958 Location: Southampton U.K.
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mooopers Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2018 Posts: 99 Location: UK
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:22 am Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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I've had pretty good success with a good car cover (very waterproof and breathable). Then I put on a very good quality heavy duty tarpaulin all strapped down (weather depending). It also needs to be on gravel or concrete for good drainage. Make sure the car is clean before any of this. I can be a bit of hassle every time you wanna use it. The problem with car covers is without a doubt UV. It absolutely destroys them that's what the tarp is for.
Other choice is a temporary garage tent of sorts.
Neither is great long term but its not expensive. _________________ 1958 Beetle
1960 Ghia Coupe
1965 Volvo Amazon 131
1969 T2 Deluxe |
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dc Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2004 Posts: 1426 Location: Kitsap Peninsula
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:31 am Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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After MANY different covers for my old cars- the latest one for the Ghia was purchased on eBay from "thecoverfactory" - it really is waterproof and breathable! and it is very soft on the car side...
But - I think the key is the carport is usually parked under _________________ 1963 Karmann Ghia |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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Go pull the cover off your barbecue. See the wear? Now imagine your paint.
1- A tarp, especially plastic, is the worst solution on this or any earth. They work great under tents and on the way to the dump with your tree trimmings.
2- A fitted cover, while nice, sits and rubs. If you wax your car more often than your bikini region- you're perhaps okay.
3- Auto paint is made to withstand elements. A canopy over the car is the safest bet all around. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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J1 Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014 Posts: 698 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: DIY car cover? |
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Thanks for the comments. I'm in SoCal under all these UV rays, so I have a good idea what will last and what won't. You pretty much get what you pay for.
A hard canopy was certainly a consideration but it may be a bit of an eyesore in my neighborhood.
I could dish out the $500-600 for a durable UV proof car cover, but I'm a damn cheapskate! I suppose if it lasts me 5 years, it will be money well spent. Come to think of it, that may be all I need it to last since most of my kids may be out of the house by then and I can reclaim my garage.
I may still pursue a DIY car cover because, well, I'm always up for learning something new. FYI, I'm considering one of the Olefin products here... https://www.fabricguru.com/solid-outdoor _________________ 1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8211 Location: San Dimas
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