Do you protect your car, truck or SUV with a car cover? It needs to be considered by every new vehicle or collector car owner. Premium covers come with full warranties. With proper care they will last four or more years with constant use. One way to look at it is the average yearly cost. With proper care it costs $40 to $100 per year, but that’s insignificant compared to the amount it saves you in vehicle restoration expenses or reduced vehicle resale value.

Choosing the best car cover for your climate and use needs is crucial. Be prepared to do some research, because there are numerous considerations to make. As an example, if you garage your car you will most likely need an indoor cover for dust, but when you park on the street you need outdoor protection. That’s not all. Climate is also important, including winter weather conditions. You need to consider all factors.

Superior quality, custom-fit covers are priced from $175 or so. For super-sized SUVs, trucks and vans, prices can be as high as $500. That’s why it’s so important to get the facts straight and make the best choice the first time. Be aware that a custom-fit product is made to order and you can’t return it.

When looking at your climate and use situation, you may be forced into a trade-off or two when it comes to the fabric. If you’re not comfortable with the trade-off then you may need to consider one for indoors and another for outside. I mention this because waterproof car covers are not something most people want to hassle with if they have a garage. A good trade-off is to find a material that’s breathable and light enough to use inside for dust protection and yet has the capability to protect in mild weather conditions outside.

When you start your research the wide range of options can appear daunting. Rest assured that each fabric has a distinct purpose. Be sure to choose the right one.

Let’s discuss when you should and should not be covering you car. One mistake I often see people make is covering a dirty vehicle. If a car is just a bit dusty you might get a few swirl marks. No big deal. However, when the paintwork is really filthy it’s going to start looking like someone took a stiff scrub brush to it.

Here’s what saves the day for me. I use the California Car Duster. These things are fantastic and they last a long time, so it’s a good investment. They make two types. Don’t skimp and get the one with the wooden handle. It’s much nicer than the plastic.

Be sure to shake your duster before each use. Then start at the top and work your way down. If you’re thinking it takes too much time, consider this. Dust your car daily and it will be a time savings. That’s because it will reduce the need for regular soap and water washing.

You might be wondering if the car duster will scratch, and I can tell you that I’ve never had an issue. They are saturated with a paraffin wax. The wax coats the fibers and makes it work like a dust magnet, even on black cars. It’s fantastic.

Something else I’ve realized is that people don’t know how to put a cover on a car. Nothing irritates me more than seeing people pull it off their vehicle with a quick jerk, smash it all up into a wadded mess, then heaving it into the rear of the car or in the trunk. It makes me cringe, and here’s why.

These things are made using tons of fabric. If you fold it neatly all is well. However, if you wad it up into a ball, how will you find the front or the rear? What I see people doing is spinning and twirling it around to find the front edge. All the while the material is all over the paintwork making swirls and leaving scratches.

Here’s a proper way to do it. Start by putting the cover on. Next remove it starting at the front. The easy way is to neatly flip the front edge up in the direction of the windshield. I recommend 12 to 18 inch folds. When you reach the middle of the roofline go to the rear of the vehicle and do the same thing. This will make a long, neatly folded run of fabric across your car. From the passenger side roll the cover up towards the driver’s side. Avoid sliding the fabric by finishing from the driver’s side.

When it’s time to put it back on, all you need to do is go to the middle of the car on the driver’s side and toss the roll over. Be sure to hang on to the loose end. Next, unfold to the rear, unfold to the front, and you’re done. This way you completely avoid dragging the fabric over the paint surface. It’s so easy!

You might be wonder if windy conditions will cause the same issues. The answer is, yes, and you should make a mental note to get uncovered when it’s windy. I’m not talking about breezy weather. That’s not a problem. Be concerned about heavy winds. Sustained winds over 20 MPH will cause some serious scuffing damage. Plus, consider the scratching your paintwork will endure if sand or dirt gets inside.

By the way, there are some devices for use to control breezy conditions. A wind control device keeps the bottom edges snug and secure. Be sure to follow the directions. Each wind control device clamps on a bit differently.

I mentioned keeping your vehicle clean but what about the cover itself? If you are wondering how to wash it, that’s a great question. Think about it, a large truck or SUV will use thirty yards of fabric or more. Have you ever tried putting that much into a regular washing machine? You’ll need to go to a coin operated laundry and use a commercial size machine without a center agitator. A center agitator will rip the fabric to shreds and it’s not covered by the warranty.

Here’s a little trick an old timer taught me. It’s easy, too. All you have to do is scrub it while it’s on your car using a wash mitt and your car wash soap. Obviously you’ll want to make sure your car is clean first. Wash the outside first then flip it to do the underside, and don’t forget to rinse really well. Let it drip-dry for a bit then put it in the dryer on medium heat.

I hope I have shared a bit of information that let you be the best car cover owner. If you have not made the plunge yet, just know that it is the only car accessory that will help you keep your car in excellent condition. Use it as intended and you will reap the rewards.

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