New GM Car Cover

[genebrownlow]

In an effort to really do what I could to protect my new Camaro I purchased a "GM, Camaro" car cover. ($350.00)

I cannot express the frustration and disappointment in what happen when I removed the cover for the first time. There was no permanent damage but it left some kind of residue all over the car that requires a lot of time to recover the original glossy shine.

Has anyone else experienced this with original GM covers?
One thing I thought about was to insert a soft cheese cloth over the car before installing the cover.

I am contacting GM today.....

[RDVT4ME]

Re: New GM Car Cover

was the car perfectly clean when you put the cover on? Anything on the car will most likely transfer to the cover and then back to the car again.

[genebrownlow]

Re: New GM Car Cover

I wax it with Meguiar's so i would think that should be ok. Now that you bringi it up i did put RainX on the windows.

I can't beleive that would screw up the entire car...

But you may be right. I'll do some checking with the RainX people now...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: New GM Car Cover

How long after you waxed was the cover applied?

How long was the cover on the car before you removed it?

Did the cover get rained on while on the car?

Any strong wind while the car was covered?

[genebrownlow]

Re: New GM Car Cover

I waxed it Saturday morning. I didn't put the cover on until Saturday evening. there was no rain but it has been really humid and hot here. When i pulled it off I noticed it was wet on top of the car (not cover), like dew or something. I removed it Sunday morning. I am not aware of any winds other than normal. I went over the car with Meguiar's Quick detail and it shined up really nice.

A buddy suggested I switch to Meguiar's NXT so I bought some but have decided to wait until I figure this out first.

I did use RainX on the winshield and windows but I contacted them and they said that RainX could not produce what I am getting.

I guess it may be possible that something from tress or shrubs may have blown on to the surface of the car but have never noticed it on my other cars.

Thans for the help....

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: New GM Car Cover

Maybe a experiment is in order. Give the Camaro a quik detail. Clean glass also. Then cover for the night. See if the next morning you still have this problem. If you do, then I would think that there is something in the cover doing this. After all the car was clean.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: New GM Car Cover

That's disappointing Gene,

You buy the nice car, you spend the time detailing it, you buy the expensive factory cover and these are the results.

Hopefully you get to the bottom of it.

good luck

[genebrownlow]

Re: New GM Car Cover

I can't believe what I found. This one is a bit strage even for me.

Because I was going to work on my wife's car after the Camaro, I parked about 10 feet down the drive from where I normally park and work on the cars. The point is right next to a row of Crape Myrtel. Yep, you're right. I got attached by Aphids.

Between the time I waxed the car and applied the RainX the little critters wasted all my work. Not knowing what had happen, I put the cover over there mess. The next morning when I remove the cover I find all the smear and smudge.

So, now I am gearing up for the counter attack. I actually considered cutting the bushes down but found that there is a home remedy containing soap and water that will kill the little critters. I'll give it a shot but will keep the chain saw handy.

Thanks guys for all your ideas and support. Sometimes the problem is not the most technical, it just right under your nose... or up in a bush.

[Fly Bye]

Re: New GM Car Cover

When i pulled it off I noticed it was wet on top of the car (not cover), like dew

Is this a breathable car cover? Hot and humid air can cause condensation inside the car cover. A good car cover will help protect your vehicles paint finish from the effects of the sun, (UV) but there is no guarentee that the cover will not induce swirl marks during the process of taking it on and off of the car. Another thing, whatever the stuff was that was on your car, is now on the inside of the cover. Also keep in mind, when your car gets dirty, as I'm sure it will at some point, especially if you go for long drives, some of the dirt will transfer from the car to the cover, increasing the odds of creating swirl marks during putting the cover on, and removing it.

One more thing, When the wind picks up, the cover is sure to fly off of the car. You'll have to figure out a way to secure it. If it does fly off, you'll have to inspect it to make sure there isn't any debris on it that will scratch the paint when you put it on and take it off. At some point, it will get dirty, and you will have to find a commercial washing machine that it will fit into.

I'm so glad I have a garage, as I know what it is like to wrestle with a car cover.



Good luck

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: New GM Car Cover

Wow. At least you found the problem. Hope everything works as expected from here on out.
Let us know if this was the source of your problems.

Don't forget to clean the inside of the cover.

[genebrownlow]

Re: New GM Car Cover

No it's not breathable. It is nylon and very good quality. I think the next step is to clean the cover and then one final detail (this week) and move on. I am still considering placing some litgh weigth, absorbent materail over the hood, top and trunk to catch anything that might be created druing temp changes. (cooling off at night and heating up during the day)

[cnfowler]

Re: New GM Car Cover

A high quality cover should be breathable to prevent just what you have experienced. Car covers turn into more of a nightmare than anything. Unless you wash your cover after every use, you'll eventually end up inducing swirls and marring in the paint due to a dirty cover. Even road film and dust on the finish, then covered with a car cover, can cause problems. Add in the wind making the cover flap or rub against the paint and you've created more work for yourself.

Colin

[roushstage2]

Re: New GM Car Cover

Wind is the biggest enemy. I completely clean my car, place the custom Roush cover over it, and then cover that with a cheap Wal-Mart cover. Works pretty well. Then again, I don't take them on and off everyday either...