I know some of us have a fear about car covers (I have used mine previously) and like any car cover they will leave marks. Double edged sword is that not using it you end up with the odd requirement to wipe it down. Plus with the odd overspray from washing the BMW it can get frustrating.
I am aware many professionals cover them with paint film between finishing and pickup - if you go to the 3M direct website it is about £81 for 4m x 150m. So was after a more reasonable price!
Searching around though you can get some great prices on the same film (unfortunately not the thicker 3M PLUS version) - £33.81 with delivery for the same thing 4m x 150m (note I did look on the website of the said supplier it is cheaper on there, but there appears no financial controls in place on the website and nor does it include delivery).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Clear-Masking-Film-Wide/dp/B01ATP9C5O
So, forgive my ignorance but is the idea of this that after cleaning your car you wrap it in cling film to stop dust accumulating or a bit of water being splashed on it when you’re washing your other car? Apart from being somewhat ridiculous IMHO, surely the cling film is not re-usable so needs to be replaced after each time the car has been used/washed? Seems to be rather wasteful.
If you need to keep your car covered get a good quality car cover. I used to keep my MG under an Autopyjama cover and never had issues with moisture or marks on the paintwork and it generally stayed covered throughout the worst of winter weather.
Maybe for those not living in hard water areas, but for those that do it can be a massive problem…less than 30 minutes in moderate temperature around here will see water spots that cannot be removed by quick detailer (approx ppm is around 250-270ppm). Back in Chester the ppm count is around 120-130 (so fairly soft) difference being is that a quick detailer will remove the marks days after.
It is not “cling film” either, it is reusable so it is not wasteful, the only time it would need “replacing” is when it becomes more than desirably soiled.
As for “quality car cover” I have one, mine has no problems with moisture, it definitely leaves light swirling though (and that was on freshly polished, waxed and wiped down paint!).
Furthermore, it is highly useful when you are doing other tasks around the wheel arch etc. to avoid overspray.
The very fact professional detailers do the above say’s it all…I doubt they want to be marring a finish they have just achieved…or get dust or other contamination over a car they have just completed.
I have learnt something today as I went to 3M website and discovered “clear bra” for cars.
From what I read it is something you leave on, rather than using it as a winter cover they suggest you use it on vinerable areas. A clear version of the prited films used on buses and vans.
see
https://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-Automotive/Aftermarket/Our-Brands/Scotchgard-Pro-Series/#WhereToUsePPF
I would still use a winter cover and clean the car when spring arrives, One would do that anyway
Frog
If you use a car bra say goodbye to your paint if left on, you are much better getting a proper PPF Ventureshield application if you desire, but even the top films eventually yellow and distort (which is what the 3M link is about)
You can try the temporary ones that spray on for longer trips.
These are substantially different solutions to the above though, the main issue is with the cover rubbing against the paint (even when completely clean). As for the non touch ones there is a particular space issue for me otherwise I might end up with an air chamber (and the slight fact they are over £400).
Ninja
I don’t think they are talking about thold rubber/plasric type commonly used to protect the leading edge of the bonnet that had the problems you describe (rubbing etc) but a high tech film that does a similar job but being lightly bonded (but obviosly peelable when required (check out the website in prev post.)
Frog
I already know what PPF is which is what you refer to as a “clear bra”. Essentially it is nothing more than a clear film “wrap”.
Xpel is the very best as there is a “self healing” version which can protect the paint from keying etc. although despite what Tim Burton (Shmee150) showed on his FF one of his eventual key markings did in fact show a small RDS defect in the paint.
Other manufacturers are ventureshield (a company which 3M bought, and is what your link is pointing to) and others.
If anyone goes down that route then I would go Xpel, but like anything with wrapping make sure they use a proper cutting machine to pre cut it off the car or use the correct techniques (same as any form of wrapping practice).
It does not get past the fact mind that it does distort the final gloss, depth and clearness of the paint finish. And despite buying the best both of the above will eventually go horribly yellow.
I have some on my MX5 to protect the exposed metal edges on the rear and around the front between plastic liner and little lip to provide a barrier to any stone chips rusting or the liners rubbing against the bare paint.
Other places I have used it is on the sill plates with the metal treadplate as mine were very ugly looking. I polished them back up after dismantling and put the PPF over them.
This thread though is about a completely different product for cars that are in garages and need some form of covering during the time of not being used. The masking film is used by so many companies from companies storing cars, detailers and the obvious refinishing bodyshops.