Outdoor cover for V12 Vantage S
Discussion
I'm going to have to keep the V12VS outside when I get hold of it (hopefully in the next week). I need an outdoor cover for periods of poor weather in the winter (or the odd week or 2 when I can't use the car).
The Stormshield Outdoor + seems to have been a fairly popular choice for V12 Vantage owners on PH in the past (https://www.specialisedcovers.com/stormshield-plus-car-cover)
Is it still the best option?
The last time that I bought a cover was for my TVR in 2002, and I went for Covercraft, which performed well. (I think that it was this or the equivalent: https://www.covercraft.com/product/custom-weathers...
And there's also this one from N. Mee: https://www.astonstore.co.uk/product/aston-martin-...
I live in the South East and the car will be parked in a corner of the drive that can get a little gusty! I think one of the issues that I had with the TVR was the cover blowing off the back and front of the car, but being held in the middle by a cable/lock.
The Stormshield Outdoor + seems to have been a fairly popular choice for V12 Vantage owners on PH in the past (https://www.specialisedcovers.com/stormshield-plus-car-cover)
Is it still the best option?
The last time that I bought a cover was for my TVR in 2002, and I went for Covercraft, which performed well. (I think that it was this or the equivalent: https://www.covercraft.com/product/custom-weathers...
And there's also this one from N. Mee: https://www.astonstore.co.uk/product/aston-martin-...
I live in the South East and the car will be parked in a corner of the drive that can get a little gusty! I think one of the issues that I had with the TVR was the cover blowing off the back and front of the car, but being held in the middle by a cable/lock.
Ive been using the Specialized Stormshield on various cars for the last 20 years or so including 3 Vantages. I only use it for longer periods of inactivity, and clean it before putting it away under cover. Its a snug tailored fit and never incurred any marks. I do use my car all year unless its really frosty\snow on the ground.
Go60 Jay said:
Congrats. I have a V8 Vantage S. it’s my second AM. No wonder you’re excited. I’m on the SE coast of Kent and there’s a lot of sandy dust. Are you happy to mention where you are are? Feel free to PM if you prefer.
Thanks! I'm in SE London. Lots of dust, but no sand/beach!Skrambles said:
Go60 Jay said:
Congrats. I have a V8 Vantage S. it’s my second AM. No wonder you’re excited. I’m on the SE coast of Kent and there’s a lot of sandy dust. Are you happy to mention where you are are? Feel free to PM if you prefer.
Thanks! I'm in SE London. Lots of dust, but no sand/beach!I have been using a Stormshield Plus for my V12V for the last few years and it has been great - much better quality and less “seeping” than the cheaper covers that I have used in the past.
Obviously not something for on-road parking, but if you have not come across these, it might be something of interest.
I have always been a little wary of car covers. Scratches if the car is not perfectly clean and condensation can occur, making the bodywork remain wet until the cover is next removed.
How about a portable garage? Various sizes are available and might not be any more expensive than a quality car cover.
My only connection with this, is as a recent customer. Car collection is outgrowing garages capacity.
Seems a well engineered product. They warn that snow might be too heavy and if condensation does arise, stand a dehumidifier inside.
Dewi 2 said:
Obviously not something for on-road parking, but if you have not come across these, it might be something of interest.
I have always been a little wary of car covers. Scratches if the car is not perfectly clean and condensation can occur, making the bodywork remain wet until the cover is next removed.
How about a portable garage? Various sizes are available and might not be any more expensive than a quality car cover.
My only connection with this, is as a recent customer. Car collection is outgrowing garages capacity.
Seems a well engineered product. They warn that snow might be too heavy and if condensation does arise, stand a dehumidifier inside.
Was it fairly straightforward to put in place and does it have been to be tied down within a concrete base etc ?
alscar said:
You say recent customer so may be a premature question, but what that Clarke temporary garage like in a strong wind ?
Was it fairly straightforward to put in place and does it have been to be tied down within a concrete base etc ?
Not assembled yet. My wife asked me to wait for the blackberries to ripen first, before I remove some brambles.Was it fairly straightforward to put in place and does it have been to be tied down within a concrete base etc ?
It will be in a sheltered location with tall shrubs, a hedge and a tall stone wall on 3 of the 4 sides, so hopefully OK in the winds.
The photo shows an open side, but that closes.
There are hefty giant screws which hold it into the ground. I am not using a concrete base.
The side sheets have horizontal tubes fitted low down, so the tension forces should be spread.
Have a look on YouTube for better information. There are films of people erecting these portable garages, including a funny one where the man refers to his lady as his apprentice (required to fit the main roof sheet).
I might know how good it is in two years time.
If the car is not parked under a tree, then I would advise not to have a cover on, but put a ceramic coating on it and wash it regularly. If it will have fallout from a tree, then that’s a different story.
I’m my experience, which is a lot, the chance of a tight cover picking up a bit of grit and making straight line scratches in the paint when you take it off is too great.
In order for the car not to be at risk, it must be spotless even under the sills/arches/bumpers/ tyres AND the driveway that it will no doubt come into contact with it needs to be free of sand and grit etc.
Certainly no driving down the road to get rid of any water from shuts and the like, as you’ll be picking up all sorts whole doing it (have seen that too).
If you’re adamant about having one, make sure the car is really clean first, which means you’ll need a decent pressure washer to get around the tyres and arches and blast off any loose dirt.
Also, a good investment would be an air blower. I use the metrovac sidekick for all the gaps, door handles and taillights etc. You don’t water sitting under the cover like that after it’s been washed.
I’m my experience, which is a lot, the chance of a tight cover picking up a bit of grit and making straight line scratches in the paint when you take it off is too great.
In order for the car not to be at risk, it must be spotless even under the sills/arches/bumpers/ tyres AND the driveway that it will no doubt come into contact with it needs to be free of sand and grit etc.
Certainly no driving down the road to get rid of any water from shuts and the like, as you’ll be picking up all sorts whole doing it (have seen that too).
If you’re adamant about having one, make sure the car is really clean first, which means you’ll need a decent pressure washer to get around the tyres and arches and blast off any loose dirt.
Also, a good investment would be an air blower. I use the metrovac sidekick for all the gaps, door handles and taillights etc. You don’t water sitting under the cover like that after it’s been washed.
I would recomend against cover, even the more expensive ones with a premium liner have a chance of creating scratches in the paint.
I think few people mentioned that already. I think they also tend to trap air and moisture under it woth things going mouldy etc.
I would say best done without unless u park inside a garage and then put one of those luxury covers to keep the dust away.
Like mentioned by others, wash and protect the car and maybe put the sun reflector on the front dash.
Good luck
I think few people mentioned that already. I think they also tend to trap air and moisture under it woth things going mouldy etc.
I would say best done without unless u park inside a garage and then put one of those luxury covers to keep the dust away.
Like mentioned by others, wash and protect the car and maybe put the sun reflector on the front dash.
Good luck
paddy328 said:
If the car is not parked under a tree, then I would advise not to have a cover on, but put a ceramic coating on it and wash it regularly. If it will have fallout from a tree, then that’s a different story.
I’m my experience, which is a lot, the chance of a tight cover picking up a bit of grit and making straight line scratches in the paint when you take it off is too great.
In order for the car not to be at risk, it must be spotless even under the sills/arches/bumpers/ tyres AND the driveway that it will no doubt come into contact with it needs to be free of sand and grit etc.
Certainly no driving down the road to get rid of any water from shuts and the like, as you’ll be picking up all sorts whole doing it (have seen that too).
If you’re adamant about having one, make sure the car is really clean first, which means you’ll need a decent pressure washer to get around the tyres and arches and blast off any loose dirt.
Also, a good investment would be an air blower. I use the metrovac sidekick for all the gaps, door handles and taillights etc. You don’t water sitting under the cover like that after it’s been washed.
Yikes! That's definitely going to give me pause. I’m my experience, which is a lot, the chance of a tight cover picking up a bit of grit and making straight line scratches in the paint when you take it off is too great.
In order for the car not to be at risk, it must be spotless even under the sills/arches/bumpers/ tyres AND the driveway that it will no doubt come into contact with it needs to be free of sand and grit etc.
Certainly no driving down the road to get rid of any water from shuts and the like, as you’ll be picking up all sorts whole doing it (have seen that too).
If you’re adamant about having one, make sure the car is really clean first, which means you’ll need a decent pressure washer to get around the tyres and arches and blast off any loose dirt.
Also, a good investment would be an air blower. I use the metrovac sidekick for all the gaps, door handles and taillights etc. You don’t water sitting under the cover like that after it’s been washed.
The car won't be directly under a tree, but our neighbours have silver birch trees which create millions of seeds that will get in everywhere.
DBA086 said:
It’s also helpful for leaves and birds…
I have been using a Stormshield Plus for my V12V for the last few years and it has been great - much better quality and less “seeping” than the cheaper covers that I have used in the past.
That does look very good. I have been using a Stormshield Plus for my V12V for the last few years and it has been great - much better quality and less “seeping” than the cheaper covers that I have used in the past.
I'll have to think more about this - in particular whether I can ensure no grit etc will be on the car when I put it under a cover.
There's always 'stuff' flying around because it the corner of the drive where it's parked is a bit of a wind trap.
Dewi 2 said:
Obviously not something for on-road parking, but if you have not come across these, it might be something of interest.
I have always been a little wary of car covers. Scratches if the car is not perfectly clean and condensation can occur, making the bodywork remain wet until the cover is next removed.
How about a portable garage? Various sizes are available and might not be any more expensive than a quality car cover.
My only connection with this, is as a recent customer. Car collection is outgrowing garages capacity.
Seems a well engineered product. They warn that snow might be too heavy and if condensation does arise, stand a dehumidifier inside.
A separate but related consideration: Aston paint is relatively soft. That means it is susceptible to stone chips at the front (the obvious front end plus the A pillars and wing mirror caps) but also the rear (the lead faces of the rear wheel arches, where the factory chip protection covers an inadequate area).
If you ppf the front and the rear ends, you remove a lot of the concern about micro scratches from putting the cover on and taking it off.
And there is no reason for the cover ever to touch the ground: peel it off each side and fold it onto the bonnet/roof/boot, then roll it up from the front of the car into a sausage on the boot lid, pick it up, open the boot and pop it in.
If you ppf the front and the rear ends, you remove a lot of the concern about micro scratches from putting the cover on and taking it off.
And there is no reason for the cover ever to touch the ground: peel it off each side and fold it onto the bonnet/roof/boot, then roll it up from the front of the car into a sausage on the boot lid, pick it up, open the boot and pop it in.
BlackTails said:
A separate but related consideration: Aston paint is relatively soft. That means it is susceptible to stone chips at the front (the obvious front end plus the A pillars and wing mirror caps) but also the rear (the lead faces of the rear wheel arches, where the factory chip protection covers an inadequate area).
If you ppf the front and the rear ends, you remove a lot of the concern about micro scratches from putting the cover on and taking it off.
And there is no reason for the cover ever to touch the ground: peel it off each side and fold it onto the bonnet/roof/boot, then roll it up from the front of the car into a sausage on the boot lid, pick it up, open the boot and pop it in.
Thanks; that's great advice.If you ppf the front and the rear ends, you remove a lot of the concern about micro scratches from putting the cover on and taking it off.
And there is no reason for the cover ever to touch the ground: peel it off each side and fold it onto the bonnet/roof/boot, then roll it up from the front of the car into a sausage on the boot lid, pick it up, open the boot and pop it in.
Dewi 2 said:
Not assembled yet. My wife asked me to wait for the blackberries to ripen first, before I remove some brambles.
It will be in a sheltered location with tall shrubs, a hedge and a tall stone wall on 3 of the 4 sides, so hopefully OK in the winds.
The photo shows an open side, but that closes.
There are hefty giant screws which hold it into the ground. I am not using a concrete base.
The side sheets have horizontal tubes fitted low down, so the tension forces should be spread.
Have a look on YouTube for better information. There are films of people erecting these portable garages, including a funny one where the man refers to his lady as his apprentice (required to fit the main roof sheet).
I might know how good it is in two years time.
Thanks for that -who knew there were so many YT clips to" enjoy "on temporary garages.It will be in a sheltered location with tall shrubs, a hedge and a tall stone wall on 3 of the 4 sides, so hopefully OK in the winds.
The photo shows an open side, but that closes.
There are hefty giant screws which hold it into the ground. I am not using a concrete base.
The side sheets have horizontal tubes fitted low down, so the tension forces should be spread.
Have a look on YouTube for better information. There are films of people erecting these portable garages, including a funny one where the man refers to his lady as his apprentice (required to fit the main roof sheet).
I might know how good it is in two years time.
Now need to find a suitable site which won't be as straightforward as yours sounds.
Good luck with the roof installation with Mrs Dewi.
Skrambles said:
That does look very good.
I'll have to think more about this - in particular whether I can ensure no grit etc will be on the car when I put it under a cover.
There's always 'stuff' flying around because it the corner of the drive where it's parked is a bit of a wind trap.
That cover from stormshield looks nice and snug. I’ve been using a cover that came with the car and it’s been great (car is ceramic coated too) except when it’s windy. I get so nervous as it’s not snug and I have four belts holding it down !!. I'll have to think more about this - in particular whether I can ensure no grit etc will be on the car when I put it under a cover.
There's always 'stuff' flying around because it the corner of the drive where it's parked is a bit of a wind trap.
What’s the storm shield one like? They don’t seem to do v8v ??
My pal has Porsche branded cover for his 997TT that has a zip around the bottom and is fantastic.
Just cannot seem to find Aston version.
Only problem with using the car is that it’s to be super clean every time it goes under the cover which precludes these wee blasts cos you know you’ve to clean it upon return which takes a couple of hours …
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