[MINIAC]

I've been researching car covers ... those made from Nextec seem to be the highest rated ... better protection than Evolution4 and Noah.

Quote:

Developed for outdoor performance wear, the Nextec® encapsulation process uses precision and controlled placement of proprietary polymers to make ordinary fabrics extraordinary. This patented encapsulation process places an ultra-thin film around the fabric fibers and precisely places a durable, breathable barrier within the woven fabric to complete the high performance process. Unlike traditional coatings and laminations that just protect one side of a fabric. Nextec® uses up to 40 computerized process controls to place protective polymers inside the fabric.

So far I've found covers made from this fabric offered by CoverCraft (Weathershield @ $216.49) and California Car Cover (Superweave @ 224.99).

Anyone who's purchased one of these covers, or one from another distributor, please leave feedback regarding cost, fit, etc.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
I've been researching car covers ... Nextec, Evolution4 and Noah.

Ooh, I make car covers now!

[retroom]

I find that the 100% cotton car covers are the best, the 50/50 car covers are good to but the cotton ones are the softests. I've tried an Evolution 3 cover and it only lasted 1 year, the fabric ripped and it was very bulky easily 50% larger than a cotton cover. On average, a cotton cover lasts 4 years here in California. I use it everyday - really saves the paint and interior. I have a 1984 Celica GTS and the paint job looks brand new (I've received comments stating this). When I get my Mini it will be under the cloth.

retroom

[MINIAC]

Unless treated with something, I don't think cotton covers repel water or wick moisture. Covers made from Nextec have 4 year warranties and are the most compact, capable of being washed at home.


Compare: NOAH versus Nextec

For a comparison of different covers:

http://www.covercraft.com/cover_fabrics.htm

Once again, I'm looking for feedback on different Nextec covers.

[retroom]

Rain? What's rain? It doesn't rain in California! When it's raining you don't want to cover your car anyway. I want to keep the sun off the car and cotton is the best car cover, overall, for the price.

retroom

[Sealevel]

MINIAC--Can't comment on the material since I used Noah, but will say that California Car Covers does a nice job of fitting. The mirror pockets are about 2" deeper than needed. If you use them, mention it and maybe they'll adjust it a bit.

[BRG4Me]

You should know that virtually every company you see selling car covers in the U.S. gets them from Covercraft. All they are doing is taking your order, then they relay it to Covercraft for production and shipping. CA Car Cover Co. and Big Sky both do this - they don't stock a bazillion different covers, nor do they maintain any significant inventory. I've avoided the middle man by calling Covercraft directly, and they have been willing to make minor changes to patterns. BTW, you can usually request "no logo", and your cover will arrive without an ugly graphic stencilled on it

[minirossa]

Miniac,
WOW; what timing! I was just looking for info.
on Mini car covers.

I bought a cover from California Car Covers for my
86 325. It is out of "Stormweave" which I believe is
one of their heavier fabrics. While it fits well &
repels most moisture, it is very bulky.

I called Cal. Car Covers & discussed a Mini cover.
They recommended the Noah(?)fabric.
The trick here in San Francisco is to get a cover
tough enough for the fog & bus fallout(I call it
"Muni Mung") but also easy to handle & store.

Another problem is the thing often blows off.
I've got a cable lock under the car but the ends
come undone. I am going to try & have grommets or
loops installed at the front & rear to lock to the
Mini's cargo hold-downs. A sailing canvas shop should
be able to handle this.

Thoughts & suggestions regarding
this dilema are welcome!!

Nextec looks interesting. I've also heard covercraft
makes most covers.

[MINIAC]

I decided to get the Weathershield cover for my 'S'.

Since these are shipped from the manufacturer in Oaklahoma, I did some calling around to all the retailers to find the best price. To avoid CA sales tax, I ended up ordering from Webcovers (800-503-2727) in CO. Great price, $208 which included cover, storage bag, locking cable and shipping.

Give Julie at Webcovers a call

[Paul]

I just bought a 'small' size car cover by Tyvek. It fits just about perfectly, and cost £59.99 in the UK.

It's silver, and has a Dupont label on it, and apparantly allowes moisture to be released and all sorts of other good things.

Bought it from Halfords.

I mainly got it as I park the MINI under a tree most days, and it's getting covered in sap!

[retroom]

minirossa,

If you bought a custom fit car cover it should not blow off - unless your in a hurricane. Contact Cal Covers and let them know your cover doesn't fit right. They should make you another one that fits.

The cable lock isn't there to help with keeping the cover on the car, just for someone stealing the cover.


retroom

[EdGTI]

I bought the MINI cover, and so far I think it is fine. Have only had it for two weeks and the longest its been on the car is 4 days. During that time we had heavy rains and high winds. Cover stayed on and keep the car some what dry. I have always had custom covers for my cars and the MINI cover fits better then most covers I've owned.

[lotoole3]

S on order.... time to start thinking about practical things, like protection.

Car covers offer protection against sun/rain/sap/dirt/birdpoo/etc...

But does anyone know of any cover that offers padding around the beltline, doors, bumpers?

I live in Philadelphia and unfortunately do not have the luxury of parking off-street. I'm looking for a cover/some other device to put on the car to fend off the dingss caused by the careless/oblivious who bounce between cars while parking (aren't they always the ones with exposed license plate screws and trailer hitches?!?!)

I dislike bras on cars. I've seen the InvisaShield stuff, but I'm not too sure that protects against things other than stone chips. I am looking for non-permanent attachments to the bumpers, anything other than those godawful black rubber cab bumper protectors... ick.

I've been thinking of ways to attach a few layers of foam rubber/other such material around an otherwise stock car cover, but before going through the trouble was wondering if there was anything out there already...

[Rick]

can someone post a pic of the MINI car cover and is it available in the UK (how much?)

cheers

[Neil Curtis]

The genuine MINI car cover is available from all dealers for £125 inc VAT. Make sure you specify external cover!. They also do an internal one (with the zip motif) and they are not cheap.

I have been using mine for about a month now and it's very good. Cover is mainly silver but has black roof and mirrors and is elasticated in all the right places.

The only thing to be careful of is exhaust heat. Don't put the cover on straight after running the car as the exhaust pipe will mark (not burn luckily) the cover.

Comes in a lovely little MINI bag and the cover itself says MINI on both sides in case you can;t remember whats underneath.

Hope that COVERS it

nc

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Mullett
I mainly got it as I park the MINI under a tree most days, and it's getting covered in sap!

It isn't sap most likely. If it is clear sticky stuff that looks like little rain drops, then it indicates that there are either scale insects or aphids in the tree and the tree needs to be treated to control the insects. These type insects excrete a sticky substance called "honeydew". It has a high sugar content, is very sticky, and encourages the growth of "sooty mold fungus" that turns everything shades of black, sort of "sooty" looking.

[AustraliaMiniMan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bilbo Baggins

It isn't sap most likely. If it is clear sticky stuff that looks like little rain drops, then it indicates that there are either scale insects or aphids in the tree and the tree needs to be treated to control the insects. These type insects excrete a sticky substance called "honeydew". It has a high sugar content, is very sticky, and encourages the growth of "sooty mold fungus" that turns everything shades of black, sort of "sooty" looking.

Nothing, must drop on my Mini one, my precious.....

[benggolf]

Suggest you keep a good coat of wax on your MINI and wash off any sap, bugs, or bird droppings soonest possible using lots of running water to avoid stains and paint discoloration.

I make it a point not to park under or beside trees to avoid tree sap. Bad Omen!

Good luck.

[Nowhere]

I'm getting ready to order a car cover for my soon-to-arrive Mini and I'm leaning towards the Weathershield material. MINIAC (or anyone else), how do you like yours now that you've had it for a little while, can you give us a review? I'm interested to know about ease of use and whether you would have prefered more padding, ie. the Noah material instead.

Also, I'm a little worried about the neighborhood felines deciding that my car cover is nice and comfy to sleep on. Right now they are sleeping on the soft top of my Miata (not worried right now since the top needs replacing anyway). Will they be attracted to the material and is there anything I can do short of installing the infamous anti-rodent device to shock them away?

Chris

[MINIAC]

Since I've had [unexpected] access to a garage, I haven't used my cover other than on occasions when I've just washed the car [ie. as a dust cover].

If you're looking for padding, don't get the WeatherShield as it's made from material similar to that used for an umbrella. I doubt that this cover would be comfortable for a cat to sleep on. Aside from great protection against rain and fog, the WeatherShield folds up very compact, thus not taking up much space in the boot. It can also be cleaned and dried in a home washer and dryer.