An easy and affordable way to keep your ride looking good.
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Keeping your car in nice condition—especially after a new purchase—is about more than just looks. The environment can be rough on your vehicle’s body, so it’s important to wash away debris, dust, and salt to prevent long-lasting damage to your car’s clear coat. Since keeping your car clean is time-consuming and resource-intensive, we recommend a well-fitted car cover to maintain that fresh look long after you go to the car wash.
A car cover provides a protective barrier for drivers who don’t have access to a covered, indoor parking spot—and luckily, most are relatively inexpensive, priced at under $100. There are a few basics to nail down before you start shopping, ranging from the size and material to how it attaches to your car. We break it down below.
Aftermarket covers generally come in so-called universal sizes made to fit a range of vehicles in a certain category, like a general four-door sedan or a hatchback. Automakers also offer bespoke, snug-fitting covers for your particular vehicle, but those come with a higher price tag (and, in our opinion, aren’t really necessary for most car owners).
Car covers have a tough, protective outer layer typically made of polyester and coated in polyurethane to repel water. This outer layer often employs reflective materials to block UV rays and reflect heat. The innermost layer is usually made of cotton, or a soft polyester—think fleece—to protect the vehicle's paint job.
Between those two are more layers of polyester to bolster UV protection and weatherproofing. A multi-layer construction provides a stronger barrier between your car and the elements, and a heftier cover will stay in place better when the wind picks up. Polyester materials like nylon and tafetta make for great exterior and middle layers because of their water resistance and durability.
Simple options like our Best Budget pick from Mornyray use polyester on both the exterior and lining. These cheaper options are suitable for short-term storage outside, or for keeping out dust and debris when storing your car in the garage.
Long-term preservation outside requires a multilayer cover for better weatherproofing. Keep in mind that car covers offer varying degrees of water resistance, and most aren’t completely waterproof. For extreme weather protection, we recommend options like the Coverado All Weather cover and the inflatable Hail Protector, which we review in detail below.
Specialty covers, like the Hail Protector, are made of a single plastic sheet, which doesn’t contact the car, but creates a vacuum-sealed bubble. Die-hard car collectors might use an option like this to meticulously preserve decades-old machines.
Car covers are fixed to the vehicle using either tie-down straps or an elastic hem that runs throughout the bottom of the cover. Elastic is usually more convenient to put on and take off, but it’s also liable to slip off in windy conditions. Options such as the Leader Accessories cover include thick straps to keep the car cover secure. These straps can attach to different points of the car such as the wheels or the underside of the chassis.
If your vehicle has a radio antenna that sticks out from the body, get a cover with a hole to accommodate it. Mirror pockets are also handy for a better fit but they aren’t included on all models.
Extra features on car covers include details like reflective strips so your vehicle can be seen at night if you’re street parking, or a zipper on the driver’s side door to get into your car. You don’t want to have to completely remove a car cover you’ve meticulously installed just because you forgot a pair of sunglasses or your gym bag in the front seat. Some also include storage bags, extra straps, or grommets for adding extra straps.
Before installing your car cover, it’s important to make sure your vehicle has already been washed. Any contaminants left on the surface of the paint become trapped underneath the car cover and can lead to scratches.
If you park your car outside, look for as much water-resistance as possible and a multilayer construction. Acid rain, bird droppings, and UV rays can lead to chemical reactions that make your car’s clear coat break down and peel away, leaving your vehicle vulnerable to rust. A cover also protects your dashboard from cracking an