Car cover, or no car cover??

[Professor E]

Hi Everyone!

I just gave my 70 Ghia a new paint job!

I normally keep a quality cover on it when indoors, but my car painter said that I should probably not use a cover in order to let the paint "breathe."

Any insight? Good or bad experiences? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance!!

[esde]

Probably depends on the paint type, how long ago it was sprayed, and the environment where you store your car. Some paint does take a while to cure to full hardness..
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modok wrote:
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[67ctbug]

Don't cover fresh paint, give it a while to fully harden. Especially outdoors, a cover could sand all of the paint off of edges in the wind.
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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
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[viiking]

I’ve always had this idea to make a “no touch” car cover. It’s not a new idea but one along the lines of a mini garage. I’m sure you can just buy a ready made steel framed one but then that wouldn’t be as much fun as making your own.

Space is always an issue and if your garage is like mine your pride and joy needs protection from dirt and dusts an accidental scrapes when moving past.

Normal car covers regardless of their fineness run the risk of scratching the paint especially if you don’t realise there’s dirt in the paint.

So make a box frame and cover it with plastic and put it on wheels.
My preference would be to make the frame out of plastic pipe. Out this neck of the woods we use 40mm 1&1/2” PVC pipe for pool connections. Using elbows, T’s and 45’s you can make a rigid lightweight frame. Use additional pipes and fittings to provide some rigidity especially over the roof. Put the whole lot on some castors so you can wheel it in and out of the way.

On the verticals and anywhere you may accidentally touch the car, cover with felt or carpet or even a pool noodle slit on one side and fitted over the pipe.

Cover the whole lot with your cover or choice. Plastic or a synthetic tarpaulin, canvas, old bed sheets or whatever. Tie it down in the manner of your choice. Velcro works well.

Park the car in the garage. Roll the cover over it, drop down the open end and your baby is safe. As the frame is not much bigger than the car itself it doesn’t take up much room and you can always move it around when the car isn’t covered. And if you don’t use glue on the fittings (use a small screw instead) you can always disassemble the frame and store it or move it elsewhere easily.
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1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Professor E]

Thanks everyone!
I appreciate the input!
The no touch cover is an interesting idea.

I will be storing the car inside. It was sprayed before Thanksgiving last month.