Car Cover

[Mini1976]

I got my first Mini on the road over the summer and now the weather is taking a turn for the worse i had been thinking about getting a cover for the Mini as unfortunately i dont have a garage. I just wondered what peoples experience of these was? Will they help stop my car rusting? Do they damage the paint or wear it away in areas?

[Cooperman]

I don't think anything stops a Mini from rusting!
A car cover must be a help and a good quality one won't scuff the paintwork, so long as the paint surface is good to begin with.
However, once the moisture gets under the cover the rusting will just continue.
Gallons of Waxoyl pumped everywhere in every opening, crevice, aperture, sub-frame web, sill, glove pocket, etc, etc, after pressure hosing the car and drying it with warm air will help a lot. Do the Waxoyling every 6 months - before and after winter.
Just aim to keep the rust at bay.

[GTRMikie]

I wouldn't use a cover. It may protect the car from the rain but it will trap moist air and speed up the rusting process. Use Waxoyl (as Cooperman says) and a good quality polish and let the air/wind circulate around to dry the car once the rain stops. I never put my car in the garage after a wet run but allow it to dry naturally before I put it away, no matter how long it takes!

[rougeleo]

Trouble with minis they often let water and a cover offers some protection . It is a good idea not to cover when wet or damp . Best off stored dry in a garage but if you havn't got one put a cover on in bad weather ...heres a good cheap one ..can be used in or out .
Take a winter cover of on fine days and let the car breath. Car ports are good wet weather protection and good air circulation .
www.ccw-tools.co.uk/catalogue/product.asp?prod_id=6187&cat_id=209