Scouser51
Active Member
Hi fellow enthusiasts, can anyone advise if breathable car covers are worth it or should I just buy an ordinary car cover it is cotton lined to protect the paintwork?
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
Car covers
- Thread starter Scouser51
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ChrisPDuck
Active Member
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- Aug 31, 2022
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- 447
- Location
- Nottingham
- Car
- 2010 S212 E500, 2006 W221 S600, 1983 VW T25, 1984 Alfasud 1.5ti Green Cloverleaf
An Ultimate Outdoor cover from Classic Additions is definitely worth it. As well as being soft touch it's breathable and waterproof - water beads on the surface. You can actually put it on a wet car and the car will dry out underneath. I have one on my W221 all the time, and I've recently bought one for my S212. The only problem I have is that the covers are best if they are a snug fit, and I therefore don't like to put the cover on a dirty car for fear of rubbing the dirt on the paintwork. So I'm perhaps washing the car more frequently than I would otherwise!
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2013
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- 6,271
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- Kidderminster Worcestershire UK
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- Mercedes W124 260E M103
For winter you need a fully water proof car cover . I use a Monsoon car covers this is the 3 cover i am on now in 14 years, i purchased them from Cover Craft ..you need them with mirror pockets in them or the cover will ifts up in the centre . And i cover the car with old cotton sheets and tie them on to the door handles .then fit the car cover . Only problem with car covers are holding them down in this wind we are getting now You can get away with them . But if you can i 
would look for storage.. its best .
would look for storage.. its best .- Joined
- Jun 18, 2010
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- 3,206
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- Sussex and Tuscany
- Car
- 2003 W209 CLK, 2005 R171 SLK, Volvo XC40 P8 Twin Motor Pro EV
I have one of the Ultimate covers mentioned above. It stays on the CLK when we are not in Italy. So far up to 3 months at a time. Paintwork always completely dry under the cover. Some dust does penetrate (probably blows under) but far less than on any cover I have used in the past. I think it is too bulky to be removing daily or weekly but for long term use it's brilliant.
RichardF
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2013
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- 688
- Car
- Sl 320
I use a classic additions 1/2 cover to protect my CLK soft top. Works well, easy and light enough to fit.
I did notice a few more micro scratches after the 1st winter, most came out with some polish.
I did notice a few more micro scratches after the 1st winter, most came out with some polish.
RogerSausage
Active Member
I've been very happy with my Classic Additions cover too, after 3 years it still keeps the car bone dry, and it's fully breathable too as mentioned.
ChrisPDuck
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
- Messages
- 447
- Location
- Nottingham
- Car
- 2010 S212 E500, 2006 W221 S600, 1983 VW T25, 1984 Alfasud 1.5ti Green Cloverleaf
We had less than an inch of snow on Saturday night, but I do like the way the melting snow beaded on top of the Classic Additions cover as it thawed in the afternoon.
A full car cover is quite a job to put on single handed and I wouldn't want to do it on daily basis for a car that's in regular use. It's all very well being soft lined to protect the paint work but how do you keep it off the dirty floor while fitting. Then when you take the cover off you have this huge wet thing to store before refitting. For a regularly used car that lives outside I'd use one of those half covers that only comes down to the bottom of the windows. Easier to fit and to store and does the job of making the car immediately usable after frost or snow.
ChrisPDuck
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
- Messages
- 447
- Location
- Nottingham
- Car
- 2010 S212 E500, 2006 W221 S600, 1983 VW T25, 1984 Alfasud 1.5ti Green Cloverleaf
I have this down to a fine art now!
The first fit is a challenge, just because of the way the cover is packed for shipping. But I now remove the cover in such a way that it's easy to put it back on singlehandedly the next time:
- I start by releasing it from the rear bumper and pulling it up onto the roof (my car is an estate).
- Then I proceed to fold it over in lengths of 18" to 2 feet - a couple of folds on one side, then I go to the other side of the car and give it a couple of folds to catch up. Repeat until the folded up cover is half way along the bonnet.
- Then I release it from the front bumper and fold the front over the folded up cover.
- Then I fold the sides over to the mid point, twice, then fold the whole lot in half. This gives a nice tidy bundle that can sit in my porch.
To put it back on, I just put the bundle on the bonnet, unfold the sides, pull the front under the bumper, then unroll the whole lot, swapping from side to side to keep it even. To prevent wear spots on the cover I make sure to push the gunsight down on the bonnet, and I have a lump of foam that sits over the sharksfin antenna.
The first fit is a challenge, just because of the way the cover is packed for shipping. But I now remove the cover in such a way that it's easy to put it back on singlehandedly the next time:
- I start by releasing it from the rear bumper and pulling it up onto the roof (my car is an estate).
- Then I proceed to fold it over in lengths of 18" to 2 feet - a couple of folds on one side, then I go to the other side of the car and give it a couple of folds to catch up. Repeat until the folded up cover is half way along the bonnet.
- Then I release it from the front bumper and fold the front over the folded up cover.
- Then I fold the sides over to the mid point, twice, then fold the whole lot in half. This gives a nice tidy bundle that can sit in my porch.
To put it back on, I just put the bundle on the bonnet, unfold the sides, pull the front under the bumper, then unroll the whole lot, swapping from side to side to keep it even. To prevent wear spots on the cover I make sure to push the gunsight down on the bonnet, and I have a lump of foam that sits over the sharksfin antenna.
Lots of previous threads on covers.
I used a Covercraft 'Noah' outdoor one for the first couple of years I had my SL (until I got a garage). Waterproof, breathable and quite thick (so it gave a bit of 'bump' protection). Not cheap but excellent quality and I sold it on to a forum member afterwards. It had a steel cable that ran under the car for security.
For outdoor use you do want a fully 'tailored' cover, designed for your specific car (Covercraft do different versions for the pre/post 1999 facelift on the R129 as the mirrors are a different shape). Generic ones that don't fit exactly tend to flap about in the wind and mark the paintwork.
I used a Covercraft 'Noah' outdoor one for the first couple of years I had my SL (until I got a garage). Waterproof, breathable and quite thick (so it gave a bit of 'bump' protection). Not cheap but excellent quality and I sold it on to a forum member afterwards. It had a steel cable that ran under the car for security.
For outdoor use you do want a fully 'tailored' cover, designed for your specific car (Covercraft do different versions for the pre/post 1999 facelift on the R129 as the mirrors are a different shape). Generic ones that don't fit exactly tend to flap about in the wind and mark the paintwork.
