7 replies to this topic

[DClarke1954]

OK, so I have "Gwen" the mini, but no garage.

I bought a "Mini -classic" cover but it was 30% too big in all directions (the door mirror pockets were round the poor old gal's knees like an ancient pair of boobies.

I cannot be the only one with a lovely mini but no garage, surely?

Can anyone point me to a proper all-weather cover please?

 

TIA  Dan.

[mini-mad-mark]

I used to have stormforce covers but they only lasted around 2 years before starting to degrade (rot!) and were around 120 quid the last time I bought one so I just couldn't justify the cost to myself. Lately I have been using Halford XS size which was 54 quid when I bought the last one; they seem pretty good, and not too bad a fit on a mini (good fit on an estate/van) and so far seem to be holding up better than the stormforce ones - I do take them off regularly and air them (and the cars) which is probably important I would say 

[cooperd70]

The 4 layer Stormforce is very good as it's completely breathable and so you don't have to air it or the car...if you're prepared to pay for one (as as mmm says they are expensive) you can just fit and forget. It will only last a couple of years as it will degrade with exposure to the sun. It comes with ties that go under the car{if you live anywhere where it gets v windy). It was the only one I used until I built a garage so can't comment on any other devices on the market.

[JXC Mini GT]

I have one of these, as with most covers they only last a couple of years, but I find them easier to use than other car covers

 

https://www.google.c...6BAgMEB4&adurl=

Edited by JXC Mini GT, 16 December 2024 - 09:27 AM.

[DClarke1954]

Many thanks folks,  At the moment the paintwork is pristine and glossy, so I had better get a cover on it before the birds get to it and change all that.  :)

[Ethel]

I'd be a bit sceptical of breathability claims. Yes, there are fabrics that will let water vapour through while being impervious to liquid water, but that relies on the moisture staying vaporised. A parked Mini has no body heat, like you would, to help with that. I'd put more emphasis on  keeping the air circulating on the inside. The folding frame covers, like pram hoods look a decent option, or you could knock up an oversized roof-rack like affair out of plastic pipe, since any generic car cover will be on the "comfortable" side.

 

Some paving slabs under the wheels would help keep the underside aired too.

[absx2]

Personally I wouldn`t let anything touch the car if it has been resprayed anytime in it`s life as fabric touching paint can lead to micro blistering of the paint so the trike cover looks to be the best thing.

 

Micro blisters are not as common these days but they still crop up now and again even with 2K paint and an outdoor cover touching the body in cold conditions is a quick way of finding them.

 

I know of a wedding car that was covered in a garage with a cotton sheet and the roof leaked making a small damp patch on the bonnet that caused micro blisters to appear ruining the bonnet, the car had a respray in 2K around seven years earlier so just bad luck I guess but if it wasn`t covered to keep the dust off it would have been okay as it`s not like it hadn't seen it`s fair share of rain in sunny Cornwall !

[coopertaz]

can verify from experience that stormforce 4 layer does actually allow car to breath and no condensation on the roof after winter storage outside the halfords one i had previously did need taking off monthly to dry off roof, you seem to get what you pay for. as above though only few years life but this applied to both.