To Use or Not to Use: Car Covers
 

I did a search on "car covers" here and only found one hit/thread but it wasn't really relevant for my particular question:

The situation I am stuck with is a choice between two undesirables: park my car in my driveway in a spot with shade/protection provided by a couple of trees, or park on the street in full Texas (harsh) sun. The problem with parking under the trees is that they crap all over the car almost all year long, whether it is small leaves that make their way into every nook-n-cranny, sap, pollen, or seeds/pods.

I use car every few days or so -- maybe out to the grocery store or Lowes Depot or beer with a friend -- so what I'd really like is a car cover solution that is reasonably quick for one person to get on-n-off...goal is just for something to keep the worst/brunt of the tree garbage off. In a perfect world, this would just be a rectangular sheet (required length x width for my car) of whatever material makes sense of sufficient thickness and durability and softness that covers car front-to-back and drapes down the sides to at least below windows. I'd want it to then easily be secured at 4 corners, say at the bumpers, with some plastic coated hooks or short bungee cords.

I haven't seen anything like this online, even on DIY sites...a bit surprised at that, actually. Has anyone reading this solved this particular problem, by chance? My concern with the typical offerings on Amazon and such is that they seem a little laborious and time intensive to get on/off. I also read that since they are more tight-fitting in places that they can cause some finish/paint damage as well over time.

Any thoughts or comments?

I have a cover on my '89 to protect from the sun, as it isn't used often.
It is a PITA for one person to put on.

How about one of those large canopies you can fit a vehicle under?

Invest in those canopy set up, I think its like 300 or so dollars, Costco, OSH and Harbor Freight. not sure if Home depot or Lowes have them, or buy a car port or build a car port. you can fit a few cars with car ports, assuming you own your property and driveway.

I have replaced the canopy top/cover 3 times, owned the canopy setup since 2005. CA sun.

A generally workable idea, with only problems being: 1) the very windy weather that occurs randomly all year around here in North Texas; and 2) my HOA would quickly cite me for some sort of infraction...sigh.

That sucks

I imagine your HOA won't enjoy you chopping down your trees either? :)

Car finish at risk is a good reason for deforestation :).

I have an 04Z and I have same situation, I purchased 1 from amazon( approx $100) I can install myself in about 10 mins, depending on vendors you can get one for most vehicles.

Can you be more specific as to item that worked out for you? A link or searchable description would help me.

@CharlotteFilemdar , did you post a reply that then disappeared?

I'm not a fan of car covers, especially when the vehicle is covered for a long time. The cover does cause moisture under the cover not to dry and can cause rusting and moisture in the electronic components in the vehicle. This is just from what I have seen working in a dealership for so 35 years and dealing with service problems.

I'm a fan of the Harbor Freight 10x20. sand bag the legs and sheetmetal screw the connecting fittings. I got about 2 years from initial canopy. Then I just replaced the canopy recently for about $80 with the bungees!

One thing I forgot in my above post, covers can rub on the paint when the wind blows and the cover fits loose, thus causing paint wear spot where the cover does rub.

was considering using one but just ended up ceramic coating my car and its easy to manintain

Car cover fown side
 

I covered my wife's 2008 Accord in our driveway during periods of little use. However, local mice invaded under the hood. Camped out eating snails they carried up. Fortunately only nibbled on wiring, some bites in outer sheath, not into copper.
I found little bags of mint repels the mice. Its sold in Home Depot in the pest abatement aisle. Also got a couple little plastic box poison bait stations that I placed under car engine area on a scrap of wood so as to easily pull out when moving the car. I recommend a note on dash as reminder to pack up the mint bags and bait boxes before driving.
The cover seemed to attract them more than uncovered.

You have to be very careful with car covers because they can easily scratch the paint if something is on the cover or the car itself. Not to mention, they're an absolute pain to put on. If it were my car, I'd go with a good ceramic coating that is maintained as necessary. It'll allow things like sap, pollen, and honeydew to be easily removed.