Car cover or no car cover?

[Jrey]

I just recently restored most of the original paint on my eta, and i always been covering it with my car cover since i finished it.

However, I get kinda skeptical about the cover being on it with the very hot and mostly windy conditions, would it be bad to always cover my car up?

I heard that even though its covered heat and sunlight can still penetrate and i dont want my paint to oxidize yet again

I usually garage it but since theres been projects that need to be done, E30 needs to sit out for awhile

Pic of it last month, still looks the same today

[redsubdivisions]

I don't see why it would hurt. If anything, it would help. lol

[cabriodster87]

Nice, keep it covered.

[CabrioPunk]

If you are that concerned get a fitted car cover. The run of the mill, general sized ones will likely have enough slack to scuff the paint. Also, the better quality ones will provide UV protection.

I keep mine covered. It is parked outside. Under a tree. The cover is a one size fits all and I have not noticed any additional scratching or micro-marring. I secure it snugly with bungees. Great $60 cover! The custom ones are well over $200...

[///M42 sport]

I would get a custom cover. Next best thing if you dont have a garage. I would remove the cover under extremely windy conditions or when you car is dirty so the cover wont cause scratches. Also under icy, snow conditions.

the custom covers are 3 layer made to protect against UV

[reelizmpro]

The only bad thing is putting a car cover on a dirty/dusty car but if it's clean then by all means put it on. Some heat will get through but not as much and your car will stay clean longer between washes.

[Vivek]

Car covers are generally a bad idea unless you completely washed/cleaned the car and cover immediately before putting it on (so basically they're a bad idea). Depending on what it's made of, it may not really help oxidation at all and will mar your paint whether you notice it or not. Waxing it often is a significantly better option.

[bmwstephen]

buy the BMW ones they are very well ventilated to allow the paint to breathe but thoroughly protect it from sun light and other harmful debris

[CabrioPunk]

Yes, a clean car helps . I don't put my car away dirty. It Is easy enough to do a quick detail, wipe everything down. Face it, unless that car is in a sealed bubble in a garage dirt and UV and micromarring will just happen. You drive your car. Bugs and dirt and rocks will abuse your car. I hate the thought of it as I drive. But it is a car, meant to be driven. Take care of it as best you can.

If you dont have a garage, detail it, seal It, keep it clean and use a car cover in your budget. A one size fits all like I have works very well. I just keep it tight with bungees. A custom one would be nice, too. But that is money we dont all have or want to spend.

[krazcustoms]

A cover will also help preserve the interior BTW.

[gr8skyr]

Your car is gorgeous! Hope it stays that nice for a long time.

My paint is almost 25 years old and just waxed it with Meguiar's 2.0 tech wax. Shines really nice in the sun. Lot's of annoying rock chips in hood though. Can't imagine how that happened in only 230,000 miles.

[rcfanatic]

I'm looking into getting a car cover and ran across this thread.

I noticed that your bumpers have side marker lights. Did you do some custom fabrication or did some euro's come with marker lights in the bumpers? I'm looking for a solution like this because I want euro bumpers, but also want to retain my side marker lights.

Thanks!