Has anyone used a car cover from Halfords or similar for their car? I was wondering about getting one to keep interior dry when i bring car to work at this time of year. I was just wondering what size fits best, if they fit Ok and dont flap around too much.

Not tried a full car cover, but I bought a Halfords car cap (intended to cover the roof and glass area of a tintop) and amended it using the wife's sewing machine.

It's made of nylon tentlike material so packs up really small. Should keep the worst of the rain out of the footwells, anyway!

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=35373

If it were me, and not having a windscreen I will have the same prob; I'd have a cover that would cover the tub only; a tonneau of that is the right term.

Having kept an astra GTE rom prying eyes under a plastic cover for a few months, 2 things happened;

the paint got tiny scratches and as moisture was trapped by the plastic sheet, it changed the colour of paint on the bonnet

I've used one for a bit. Get the softer looking material one though rather than the cheap one that looks like it's made from pac-a-macs. They flap around a lot because they're not custom made so get some ratchet straps to hold it down so it doesn't fly away or chaff your bodywork (ouch).

Regards,

Mark

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Originally posted by 02GF74
If it were me, and not having a windscreen I will have the same prob; I'd have a cover that would cover the tub only; a tonneau of that is the right term.

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thanks Humbug. Its nice to know that they are basically Ok but benefit from some tailoring. Saves re-inventing the wheel. You made a good job of that - i like it a lot.
I dont have a sewing machine (or skills to use one) so might see if they are modifyable by bonding the pleats (sikaflex???) or fitting some extra eyelets and elastic ropes.

I was also wondering if the fit could be improved by fitting some press studs (similar to how tonnaeus are fitted). Needs some more thought tho'.

I have 2 covers, a £50 halfords one and a £20 argos one. The halfords one is very light, silver, elasticated and fits surprisingly well and keeps the car dry (kept outside all the time)

The argos one is very heavy, but there is loads on condensation under it, not at all good, I only use it when storms are forcast.

If you want to "cut and shut" nylon flysheet type stuff without a sewing machine, get to your local camping shop (or the place I used to work at, www.theoutdoorshop.com) and get some "seam grip". it's waterproofing sealant / glue for tent flysheets and kind of the outdoor industry's equivalent of wd40 or duct tape. stick two bits of car cover together no bother.