Curious if the cover really protects the car, or if it is, or causes, more trouble than it is worth.

 

I have one for my 98. It's kinda a real pain in the butt, being that you have to take the antenna off each time to put the cover on. Mine always blew off on the side, so I had to create more holes on the bottom to tie another rope perpendicular underneith the car. Personally I feel that mine harbored the dirt because once it got in it had no way out, therefore when I would take the cover off it always seemed that the car was dirtier than before. They're nice though if you need to store the car for a long period of time. Otherwise I would say probably not to bother with them.

 

98stang, did you notice if the removing/installing the cover scratched your car after it trapped the dirt?

 

you def. want the car clean under the cover. As the wind (or whatever) moves that cover, it will scratch as it rubs the dirt into the paint.

Are you gonna be storing your new GT500 outside?

 

CH, the GT500 is going to force another car out of the garage. I'm undecided on what to do - don't want scratches, but don't want crap on it either. Neighborhood won't allow those shelter thingys.

 

I have never stored one outside. I would recomend getting a very good quality cover that has a good elastic around the bottom and at least one set of cable locks. If you call places like California Car Cover or Griots Garage or another high end cover place and tell them what you are planning to do and hoping to acheive, they will steer you in the right direction. Different covers are designed for different uses.

If the cover still allows dirt in, I would make a plan to periodically (frequently) remove the cover and wash or use quick detailer on the car to keep it clean underneath. I'd also ask about cleaning the underside of the cover when you call them.

Good Luck, Vince.

Kevin

 

My GT is "stored" under a cover. I got it from the Dealer. Real nice fits wonderfully. Got a cable and lock setup for it as well.
I usually take the cover off of the car and after rolling it , put it in the back of my Explorer to store it. (Can only drive one at a time...) Car was clean when I put it under and was clean when I took it off the other day. I did a quick detail and California dusting before putting the cover back on. There is a hole for the antenna so that is not an issue.
The only problem I had was the 50 + mph wind we had which did flip over one of the corners, but it pretty much stayed in place.

 

Stndbck, how did the cover do in the rain?

 

Stndbck, I have that cover too. It works well. I clean my car before covering it.

 

I'm not so sure if it left little spider web scratches while it was on, as opposed to putting the cover on and taking it off. You really have to be careful putting these covers on, or any small piece of dirt stuck to the inside of it will create some little (but still annoying because you know it's there) scratches. The best way to put these covers on and take them off is to have a buddy help you while one gets the front and one grabs the back end, then gently slide it down over the car. Although my cover probably isn't the quality of the other covers mentioned above, but it wasn't some 20 dollar cover either.

Also, if you have an air hose it never hurts to blows off the inside of the cover, because no matter where you store it the dirt always seems to find it.

 

No issues with a good quality, multi-layer cover made with Evolution fabric. I stored my Cobra outside when I didn't have a garage. Only cover a clean car. Fresh wax or instant detailer helps. The good covers will fit very snug and will have reinforced holes at the center/bottom to allow for the use of a locking cable. Use it. The cover simply won't move when it's fastened. The car always looked as clean as when I wrapped it up. It's usually recommended that they be washed in a commercial washer with a cup or two of Fantastik or something similar. I used to wash my with auto shampoo while it was on the car and let it dry. That seemed to do the trick.

 

Where did you get that cover from!? I ordered one from AmericanMuscle, but it was crap and I want to return it.

 

I stored my 90 GT Vert outside under a cover. I actually used two covers, a top quality one as the first cover so as not to scratch the paint and then a cheap one from PepBoys as the top cover. Worked like a charm. I also used a cable lock and clips on the corners to keep the cover secured. This system kept the cover secure in 50 + mph winds during one storm we had. Good thing too because my top leaked!!!!

 

Interesting idea - what cover did you use to be the one touching the car?

 

Got mine from a Ford dealer. There are 2 available. This is the more expensive one., called the "weathershield" --- I have a friend that works in parts for a dealer and he got me his discount. Love the way it fits. Had no problems with either rain or snow so far. (I live in NJ). Only had one episode where one corner popped off during about 50 mph winds, but I don't think I had it down over the nose all the way.. It did stay on without any problem through the storm that ripped through here last night and it was quite a wicked storm.
My husband was a bit skeptical about the cover , but he now thinks it was a really good idea we got it, especially since there is no room in the garage for the car.

 

I keep mine stored outside with the same cover as Stndbck in post #7. I wash the car thoroughly before covering it, but still the wind will whip the cover a bit and the paint will be a bit swirly when the cover comes off in mid March. A day's worth of dual-action polishing will take care of that. Right now its covered in snow and that helps prevent the wind whipping action. The alternative is to have no cover but that has drawbacks, too. A lot of dirt and dust will accumulate in the snow, and when the snow melts all that dust is difficult to get off without creating swirls in the paint. Plus the cover keep eggers and other minor vandals from harming the car.

 

Get yourself to the thrift store and purchase an old cotton bedspread or blanket. Cover the car with the soft and moveable cotton piece and then use the car cover. Be careful how and where you store the cover as the inside/car side is usually turned out. Lift both sides up onto the roof/hood then roll the cover up and reverse to install.

 

Thanks for the ideas - I think I'll go with the ideas that involve putting the car cover over something soft. I really got to make sure the car is clean of dust / dirt / debris

 

This info give me a whole new outlook too. I don't have a garage and want to keep it covered when not in use. I only planned on driving a few days a week and only if it wasn't raining. Sounds like taking a cover on and off several times a week could be a hassle. Adding to the trouble is that I have a dirt driveway. Time to come up with plan B.

 

Taking off and putting on the cover only takes a few minutes. Well worth the effort IMO.