Protecting against the elements

vvdb · 24th April 2007, 20:19

Dear experts,

I have a brand new (1-month old) Civic 1.8 EX with glass roof and all that parked on my driveway.
That's actually the problem: the car is parked on my driveway, sleeping under the stars. In fact, it sits there for most of the week, since I mostly drive during week-ends.
I have no garage, and no car port. Any such construction is forbidden by the city council where I live (yes, it sucks. Belgium can be a strange country, but that's the way it is).
My question is: should I protect my car against the elements, and if so, how? Is there something like a "car cover", or is such a device ineffective?
I suppose it's not a big problem with the nice weather we are having now, but I don't know how well the car will survive the winter.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

JoeyF · 24th April 2007, 20:25

Hi vvdb,

I am in the same boat (as it were!) no garage or car port and have been for many many years and I really havent had a problem, If you just clean and wax the car as much as you can and I'm sure it will be fine. Its a lot of hard work but well worth the effort.
However if you do want a cover there are many different types availiable, might be worth a look if your cars park up for a long periods at a time.

spidey`s lunchbox · 24th April 2007, 20:39

I think a regular good wash and wax will keep her in good shape and I`m sure it will be quite easy to find a car cover on the internet somewhere. What I would be more concerned about is making sure your brake discs don`t start to show signs of corrosion and keeping the battery charged.

TTDegs · 24th April 2007, 21:43

I'd go with that

It's been many a year since my cars have been kept under cover - infact, with the breif exception of my 'funday' mini, none have

The trick is to keep on top of your cleaning regime - a quick wash every 2 or 3 weeks if you can, and a wax every 2 or 3 months

Good idea to move it every now and then to save bulging your tyres and taking the surface 'rust' off the discs - but be careful of flat batteries.

vvdb · 25th April 2007, 06:23

JoeyF, spidey`s lunchbox, TTDegs: thanks for the helpful ideas!
I shall try to "keep on top of my cleaning game". Covers for the Civic are hard to find here anyway...

Dawson · 25th April 2007, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvdb

I suppose it's not a big problem with the nice weather we are having now, but I don't know how well the car will survive the winter.

It's a normal car - it hasn't got a soft top that could leak, the engine isn't exposed... should be fine.

Mine has been frozen solid all over many times now, and it's fine. No paint issues at all. I haven't got a garage or a carport so it just sits outside all year round. I feel no need to protect the Civic either.

Wash it weekly, and wax it every few months with durable wax to keep it looking good.

johnd · 25th April 2007, 07:57

If you really want a cover try here; http://www.vertar.com/

dondon · 25th April 2007, 09:01

I have never used a car cover, but I would expect that if it was left on for any length of time it would create a lovely damp environment where mould could grow. It would in any case stop the circulation of air, and prevent any moisture escaping.

24th April 2007, 20:19	#1 (permalink)
vvdb Valve Cap Join Date: 9th April 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Protecting against the elements Dear experts, I have a brand new (1-month old) Civic 1.8 EX with glass roof and all that parked on my driveway. That's actually the problem: the car is parked on my driveway, sleeping under the stars. In fact, it sits there for most of the week, since I mostly drive during week-ends. I have no garage, and no car port. Any such construction is forbidden by the city council where I live (yes, it sucks. Belgium can be a strange country, but that's the way it is). My question is: should I protect my car against the elements, and if so, how? Is there something like a "car cover", or is such a device ineffective? I suppose it's not a big problem with the nice weather we are having now, but I don't know how well the car will survive the winter. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

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This thread is about: Protecting against the elements, it's in Cleaning and Styling at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Dear experts, I have a brand new (1-month old) Civic 1.8 EX with glass roof and all that parked on my driveway. That's actually the ...

24th April 2007, 20:25	#2 (permalink)
JoeyF Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 23rd October 2006 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire Posts: 372 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi vvdb, I am in the same boat (as it were!) no garage or car port and have been for many many years and I really havent had a problem, If you just clean and wax the car as much as you can and I'm sure it will be fine. Its a lot of hard work but well worth the effort. However if you do want a cover there are many different types availiable, might be worth a look if your cars park up for a long periods at a time.

24th April 2007, 20:39	#3 (permalink)
spidey`s lunchbox Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 7th February 2007 Location: London Posts: 121 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think a regular good wash and wax will keep her in good shape and I`m sure it will be quite easy to find a car cover on the internet somewhere. What I would be more concerned about is making sure your brake discs don`t start to show signs of corrosion and keeping the battery charged.

24th April 2007, 21:43	#4 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'd go with that It's been many a year since my cars have been kept under cover - infact, with the breif exception of my 'funday' mini, none have The trick is to keep on top of your cleaning regime - a quick wash every 2 or 3 weeks if you can, and a wax every 2 or 3 months Good idea to move it every now and then to save bulging your tyres and taking the surface 'rust' off the discs - but be careful of flat batteries.

25th April 2007, 06:23	#5 (permalink)
vvdb Valve Cap Join Date: 9th April 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	JoeyF, spidey`s lunchbox, TTDegs: thanks for the helpful ideas! I shall try to "keep on top of my cleaning game". Covers for the Civic are hard to find here anyway...

25th April 2007, 07:57	#7 (permalink)
johnd Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Bath Posts: 139 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you really want a cover try here; http://www.vertar.com/

25th April 2007, 09:01	#8 (permalink)
dondon Wheelnut Join Date: 18th February 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 93 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have never used a car cover, but I would expect that if it was left on for any length of time it would create a lovely damp environment where mould could grow. It would in any case stop the circulation of air, and prevent any moisture escaping.