I don’t have a garage to protect my MX5 from the weather. Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) of using a full or part body cover. Do they protect the car or do they cause more problems ( body work scratching etc). Are their any manufacturers that are significantly better than others or are they all pretty much the same?
Sorry, I don’t much experience of covers, fortunately can squeeze my car into my garage. I have a cheap light cover, for dust protection. From my experience, I wouldn’t like to put one on a wet or dirty car outside. They’re not the easiest things to put on your own. However, I did look into alternatives and saw a roof cover by “Cabrio Shield” that looked good, protecting hood & screen. Maybe someone has got one.
I have been using a half cover over the soft top for the last 3 months on my Mk 2.5, and its been very good. I can’t remember the make, one of those advertised in the club magazine, less than £50. It loops round the mirrors and has magnetic strips to hold it down. The only down side was two straps intended to fit into the boot. These are intended to secure it, but they allowed water to run into the boot. Since I took these out again it’s been perfectly dry.
I did try a cheap full cover frst. I stupidly put it on while the car was a bit wet and the next day it had brought the red paint out in milky blotches on the boot and bonnet. Most people seem to advise against a full cover for the reasons in the last reply. But whatever you do, don’t put it on while the car’s wet!
I use a Stormforce Monsoon cover on my Son’s car. The car is only used about twice a month now and it has kept the car completely dry. It has to be put on a clean dry car to avoid marks. The cover does flap a bit in wind but it has a soft lining. There are slight witness marks on the paintwork but nothing that cannot be polished out. It does have straps that go under the car to secure the cover and keeping these tight helps to prevent flapping. The cover is now on its second winter and lasting well.
We had used a half cover previously but it was not so waterproof so the inside of the car got a little damp. With a full cover the boot and engine compartment are protected which does help preserve the car and reduce the chance of under bonnet electrical gremlins.
I have used a cabrio shield on my MK1for about 3 years. It’s absolutely brilliant. When I can’t get the car under cover it goes straight on. I bought it cause I was sick and tired of getting a wet backside when I drove the car after it had rained. ( Got Mazda Mender to fit a new hood for me since…outstanding job!) The hood fits the car like a glove. it attaches via rubber seals that fit into the door shuts at leading and trailing edge of each door, underneath the wipers and in the “door shut” of the boot lid. the car is TOTALLY waterproof when fitted. It withstands truly gale force winds, I used to live by the docks in Liverpool and we got some horrific weather, it doesn’t flap or let water in through gaps cause there aren’t any. We’ve had a helluva lot of rain in the North West recently, as seen on the telly, we took the car out for a blast yesterday and it was completely dry inside despite being out in the weather for over two months. It has discoloured a bit over last three years but still waterproof. It folds up easily and fits flat in the boot well. Absolutely oustanding product that’s tailored to the individual car.
And no I am not associated with Cabrio Shield in any way.
Cheers!
Russ
The half cover I mentioned above is also by Cabrio Shield, and I agree, it’s very good quality and has kept the cabin completely dry through howling winds and torrential rain.
HNY.
Ian
3 months ago, in preparation for winter I bought a cheapish top cover, branded Sumex.
I looked through the top covers on eBay, starting at the cheapest till I found one which said
‘waterproof’ , rather than ‘water-resistant’.
For £12.95, I bought the Small version of this…
So, it’s been on for most of the last 3 months. Where I live is very open to the elements. And the NW and SE winds sweep across the car.
The cover is quite flappy in these conditions, and the elastic straps are not really up to it. 3 of the 4 have stretched and shredded.
I bought some high quality elastic from the haberdashery section of a department store, and replaced the shredded ones with that.
Cost £2 plus about 1 hour of my time.
Car is dry, and paintwork fine.
The Cabrio Shield covers look good to me, made to fit , whereas mine is a generic Small car cover.
However, for the price I paid, I’m quite pleased.
I use a breathable half-cover, and have done for the 6 years I’ve owned the car. But not all the time - only in heavy rain, or snow etc. Haven’t used it as much as I would like in the recent heavy downpours because of the wind!
I do reproof the roof annually, and have re-coloured it once. But I don’t park under trees etc so don’t have the problem with green stuff growing out of the sticky sap!
Thank you everyone for the informative replies. I think the Cabrio Shield halfcovers do look quite good (having just checked their website). My MX5 doesn’t have any leaks or damp problems - I would like to keep things that way, hence the request for info on covers. I also intend to reproof and recolour the soft top and will aim to do this regularly. Is this enough to keep the roof in good condition or will a half cover (such as the Cabrio Shield) add additional protection? I don’t want to waste money on something that will only have minimal effect.
Hi all,
Out of interest, the people that have a “Cabrio Shield” which do you have the standard
or premium Cabrio, the reason is that I would only used it in the snow and ice time of year
and the fact that the premium is close to twice the price.
cheers
Ned
ps Motorcycles in the garage !!
I’ve used this on my 5 for last 12 months
https://www.classicadditions.com/car-covers/outdoor-car-covers/waterproof-half.html
when the elastic stretches, just tie a big knot & it tightens it up.
very good half cover in my opinion.
Re the query above on the Cabrio type, the one I have must be the standard version which was around £50 delivered. The quality is fine. If you do want to use the securing straps into the boot, I suggest you just put a couple of takeaway containers or similar inside the boot under the straps to catch the drips.
HNY
Ian