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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Outdoor cover

Hi all, I am looking for an outdoor (I.e weather proof) cover. There are plenty on eBay and plenty on a google search but I want one that fits well and does a good job a keeping our horrid rain out.

Sub £100!

Has anyone had any experience with particular brands?
R McGeown

I've used car covers for fully outdoor use and would say (my local) Cover Systems is the most honest about what a cover will actually do - http://www.cover-systems.co.uk/

whereas the Car Covers Monsoon cover I had was heavy to put on and off and the seams went within a couple of years - http://www.carscovers.co.uk/

I've had a couple of full size and a couple of top covers from Cover Systems and have been happy with them and one Car Covers Monsoon and not so happy with it

I've seen good reports about the Halford ones, it may be the more recent Halford ones that get much better reviews, obviously checks needed as I guess they might use different suppliers when each contract runs out

my mate also uses both on his cars that sit outside - with both extra straps that go under the car are a good idea as high winds can get under the covers and lift them from the car partially, even the heavy Monsoon
Nigel Atkins

Rob you do need to be cautious about using an outdoor car cover for extended periods. Even slight flapping and movement of the cover from the wind will gradually chafe paintwork and take the shine off the paint. I use one occasionally, usually to keep ice off the car, or sometimes to keep the rain out of the cockpit if I don't want to put the hood up. Bit only stays on overnight and I am not too concerned about my non-concours paintwork!

I thought that these days to keep your car dry you might be looking for a pontoon to park on, rather than a cover.
Guy W

Thanks for the replies.

Its likely to be just Monday - Friday for the next few months, more to cover the sieve of a hood than the body. its going into the body shop next month for de-bumper smoothing and respray.

I am reluctant to spend £100 or more on a car cover...Ill check out the Halfords ones.


R McGeown

Mine, as you might guess, was a cheapie from PoundStretcher, or maybe Aldi. I think it was £9.
Guy W

if it's just for the hood then just get a top cover

what's leaking with your present hood?
Nigel Atkins

What about a camping tent... some of those things are a big as a house

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

for what its worth i have a cover systems breathable cover and personally i think its a waste of time, over £200. i cannot see that when it pisses down of rain it lets so much water through, i know that when it blows about after it does dry the car off but with full of water stains. also when its frosty it gets condensation inside the car on the roof which drips off when you get in.all i use now is one of them blue tarpaulin sheets over just the hood tied down with elastic bunjy thingys or whatever there called. does the job better as far as im concerned and cheaper.
regards bob.
bob taylor

I can't remember water stains at all but there was wicking

Rob,
perhaps you could stop your hood let water in, how does your car hood leak?

Nigel Atkins

I have a cover from the MG Owners Club and it is tailored for a midget and an excellent fit. I recently bought a cover from Hamilton and while excellent material (soft felt like lining) the fit is awful. I also bought a cheapo £20 cover at the International Classic Car show just to cover up a bare bodyshell. It's rubbish and so thin it tears easily.

I agree with Guy that no cover prevents moisture getting on the car and my Hamilton cover flaps in the wind causing concern over possible wear to the paint.

The tailored MGOC cover gets my vote but you get what you pay for!
Chris Hasluck

as regards wear on the paintwork, one of the problems with using a cover is that the car needs to be clean and dry before you put the cover on and the same applies to at least the inside of the cover

this along with taking the cover on and off and storing it means that if you have a car covered then you are likely to use that car less (along the same lines of having a shiny polished car in a garage and the roads are a little dirty)

I can't remember seeing any marks on the paint work of my cars but the covers were never on for unbroken long periods

the Monsoon cover had a vent to help prevent moisture and as I put Cover Systems provided an honest view on this on their web site - http://www.coverscars.co.uk/carundercovers.htm
Nigel Atkins

Thanks for all the input. The hood leaks because there are holes in it and it doesn't fit at the top of passenger B pillar...possible 1.5" square opening to the elements.

As an interim solution, I may just go wait a tarp tied down over the hood. Cheap and cheerful until I find a suitable hard top.
R McGeown

I've got a Halfords one on an RX8 which is really good as it doesn't leak, a good fit, made from a thick material and has a soft inner liner.
The Midget is waiting for its owner to build an enclosed car port for it so is currently sitting under a Sumex cover. It's the smallest available (the blurb says MX5 size) so is too big for the Midget and flaps in the wind if the supplied bungee cords aren't fitted. It has let water through though but does have a two holed vent to allow some air circulation. I uncover it as often as possible to start and move the car around so hopefully spot any water lying on the bodywork. If you have a good hood you'll need something between the cover and the hood to stop it chafing/marking the hood material, I use an old curtain.
In short the Halfords one cost £55 the Sumex £35 and it shows - would recommend the Halfords one every time and I'm not a fan of theirs.
Jeremy
J Tickle

How about one of the pop up garages from Machine Mart? Think the cheapest starts at £160 inc VAT but you can use it for doing work on the car during inclement weather so multi-purpose....
Nick P

>>If you have a good hood you'll need something between the cover and the hood to stop it chafing/marking the hood material, I use an old curtain.<<
Jeremy,
by good hood I always think vinyl so I'm surprised that you'd get any chaffing with a cover, I never have, are you referring to the cotton or mohair hoods that require a lot more care?
Nigel Atkins

Mine's a double duck Nigel but I was quoting from the instructions supplied by the cover's manufacturer, maybe they're just making sure by issuing a coverall instruction!
Did look into the pop up garages Nick but had heard reports that some suffer from condensation which then drips all over the car so went for a cover. Expect the more expensive ones don't have that problem though.

Jeremy
J Tickle

right cheers
Nigel Atkins

Just noticed Lidl have a half cover for £5.99. Seems reasonable quality and comes with the necessary bungees
Ray Rowsell

could be fantastic but do have a look at it in the material and out of the box just to check the quality - my wife bought a windscreen frost cover and it lasted a couple of weeks before it tore and was useless
Nigel Atkins

I am surprized that there really isnt a good cover made at a reasonable price for these cars... My experience is as Guy says chaffing of the paint work out side in the wind. The other is trapment of moisture or soak threw. I think props on to something with the tent idea but if its long term storage youre still back to moisture problem soaking the car.
The only storage Ive seen that really works is heated in doors. In my opinion if its out side a smaller size nylon tarpaulon over the convertable roof with bungie chords rightly placed is the only thing imho
that really works. I think it really is a shame that there isnt a better solution. Cover the whole car in waxoil? Ha ha ha!
Steven Devine

or in some stores (Lidl) there is a full cover with two years warranty for £12.99
Ray Rowsell

Steven,
I've not had scuffing of the paint work when using a cover, are you:
. putting a cover on a car that hasn't been washed
. this could also transfer grit to the inside of the cover so next time it would transfer this grit to a car even if the car was clean
. used straps that go under the car and perhaps additional straps for very windy areas and/or times
. had any additional netting or all over strapping for lighter (in weight) covers for very windy areas and/or times

scroll down this page - http://www.coverscars.co.uk/outdoorfullsizecar.htm

the other item you mention is called a top cover here - http://www.coverscars.co.uk/toponlycarcover.htm

Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2014 and 15/01/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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