Hi
Proud owner of a Mini Cooper S Convertible

Problem is without a garage, I picked up a cover from the dealership. They claim its the only cover for this car yet the water with today's rain bleeds through. There must be an outdoor cover for this car -- the current cover works on dust but I hate that the rain isnt blocked off

The mini.com site isnt helpful

Any advice?

 

I have two covers.

One came from MINI Mania and, like yours, it allows water through as if it were made of paper towels.

The cover I got from Bavarian Autosport is GREAT. It's lighter, fits well, comes with a cable and lock, and does not allow a drop of water to get through, even in downpours. Doesn't allow pollen, dust, or anything else to get through either.

Linkage:

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

 

The reason many covers allow water through is to prevent water from sitting on the car while it's covered. It lets any water that might be on the car evaporate, preventing it from just sitting there and causing problems.

Personally, I'd just let the car sit outside naked. I've done that with my cabrio and my Z4 with no issues. I'm more worried about the damage the cover can do - unless the car is perfectly clean and dry, the cover could scrape various particles against the pain and scratch it up. And after a while (I did used to cover one car long ago) it gets to be a real pain in the butt to make sure that the car (and cover) are perfectly clean and dry.

 

Yeah I have an Evolution cover (I got it from Griot's) and it doesn't let anything through, and it's machine washable, which is handy.

But, I do agree that as long as you keep a good coat of wax on, it's not really necessary. It's probably safer than using a cover, unless you are incredibly fastidious and OCD about using a cover (sure there's not a speck of dust, dirt, ANYTHING on the car before you put it on).

 

i guess with a cabrio you want to protect the canvas?

for me, i would only use a car cover for a car that's parked
indoors. keeps it away from mostly dust and sometimes condensation
when you need to open the garage and the temperature/humidity levels
are different inside and outside.

ive had numerous times when i open the garage and the entire
car just clouds up within minutes...

 

Just an update for anyone who finds this thread while researching car covers:

The Bavarian Auto car cover I've been so happy with and boasted about in my post above... it started allowing water through a couple months ago, when it turned about two years old. Bummer !

 

that sucks to hear. if i had a cabrio and parking outside, i would get
those half covers that cover only the top canvas part of the car.

i think www.autosportcatalog.com had some listed.

the dust cover i got for my G35C seeps water through as it should.
the main reason why i put it on my car (it's garaged) is when i have the
garage door open i didnt want the oily road salt substance in the air to
stick to the car when i know i wouldn't be driving it for 3months during
hibernation...also to prevent powdered snow to sit on the car when wind
blows into the garage.

the last few days ive had the garage door open multiple times.
looking at the MCS's roof top and bonnet (which is uncovered and
also hibernating), i know the dust cover works.

 

I use this cover for the poor MINI that is stuck outdoors, Ken. 90 percent of the time, it's the convertible. I need a car cover that protects the entire car and prevents water from getting through, otherwise, I'll be detailing that car constantly.

The MINI Mania cover is on there now. It fits better and it prevents all but hard rain from getting through. I guess after it loses it's waterproofing qualiteis, I'll be back looking for The World's Best Car Cover again.

 

can you spray those waterproofing sprays you put on leather
shoes over the entire cover?

 

I think it's worth a try, Ken... considering how much those covers cost.

But I doubt you can ever regain the 100 percent waterproofing coverage the cover had when it was new.

 

wat if you put like 10coats of that stuff on there? it might even retain
the shape of our cabiro after you remove it off the car.

 

Yeah, kind of like the starch I used to use on my Air Force uniform.

 

hahahaha.

 

How bout a CarCapsule?

http://www.carcapsule.com/home.htm

I have a shed and have used the BikeCapsule for my Harley Sportster for 5 years with great success. Since it's inflatable, it doesn't touch the surface of the paint and since the fan circulates the air so much no condensation.

I've not seen or tried the outdoor version (bike or auto), with a motorcycle I'd be afraid of wind blowing the whole thing over (even if staked down).

t

 

Since my divorce, I no longer have a garage either. I have a car cover, but I don't use it for the simple reason that..it's impossible to put on a car cover without scratching the paint. Unless I'm going to wash it, and cover it, to not drive for a few days, it's not worth it, to drive it, clean it, cover it, and drive it the next day.

Course not covering it, doesn't mean that I'll park it under a tree that will drop sap or be covered in bird poo or near a sprinkler that will ensure it gets covered in hard water spots.

You CAN maintain your MINI without a garage and without a cover. In addition to a good wax applied frequently to the paint, claying the paint a couple times or more a year will be required. For the convertible, you'll want to ensure you have an appropriate application of RaggTopp to keep it water repellant. I would assume that using RaggTopp on a cover would also be a good idea if it isn't repelling water like it did when new.

When your car gets dusty, don't just rinse it, wash it properly with the two bucket wash method, and a good soap and wash mitt.

Using an easy to apply wax like Hydro or Banana Gloss will go a long ways towards always keeping your paint protected and beautiful.

Richard

 

YES! this is a good idea. the best one. Easy to apply = outdoor car. I have learned this now. I was doing "longest durability", but nothing is really durable besides the dual Klasse system. WHICH NEEDS A GARAGE! yes it does, 5-6 hours of drying time on the sealant glaze. Prima Epic takes 1-2 hours in temperatures of 48-50 degrees. Cant' have a car sittingwith dust and wind sticking it up and then grind the dirt into the car. One needs a commando styled wax system. I never thought of banana gas.

On a side note: I am really sorry to hear about the divorce, Richard :(