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I'm searching for a lightweight, indoor car cover to keep the garage dust off our Mini Roadster while its not being used. I'm referring to a cover made from lightweight parachute fabric or similar material. I have several covers like this for my motorcycles which I've purchased thru Cycle Gear, but no one seems to make them for the Minis. When not being used these covers squeeze down to the size of a football....which is what I want. I think BeverlyHills Car Cover Company used to make covers like this, but the revived company no longer does. Anybody know where I can buy or get one made? Thanks!
I struggled to find an indoor cover for my MINI as well. I was also concerned about putting a cover on the MINI year-after-year. If I don't get a chance to wash the MINI after each winter drive, I was concerned about dirt build up on the underside of the cover.
In frustration, I bought 2 9x12 disposable drop cloths from home depot. They were paper on one side and plastic on the other. I put the paper side down. and use a few pieces of tape to shape it to the car. I am not sure if I will use the same 2 cloths the second year or just buy new ones.
I struggled to find an indoor cover for my MINI as well. I was also concerned about putting a cover on the MINI year-after-year. If I don't get a chance to wash the MINI after each winter drive, I was concerned about dirt build up on the underside of the cover.
In frustration, I bought 2 9x12 disposable drop cloths from home depot. They were paper on one side and plastic on the other. I put the paper side down. and use a few pieces of tape to shape it to the car. I am not sure if I will use the same 2 cloths the second year or just buy new ones.
Thanks for your reply and innovative way of protecting your car from collecting dust while not being used. If I can't find something already in production, I may just head over to Home Depot for some drop cloths and Duct Tape soon!
The Covercraft PolyCotton offering looks interesting but I still think it is heavier and more bulky than what I am looking for. For comparison, my large size, indoor motorcycle covers, at most, weigh 6-8 ounces. I am estimating that a cover sized for our Mini made out of this material would come in at around 20 ounces! The material is feather light, durable, and does not scratch. These motorcycle covers are sold under the Cycle Gear name so I have no idea who manufacturers them or what material they are made out of. A cover made out of this for our mini would be what I am looking for.....one layer, simple, durable, and does the job.
The Covercraft PolyCotton offering looks interesting but I still think it is heavier and more bulky than what I am looking for. For comparison, my large size, indoor motorcycle covers, at most, weigh 6-8 ounces. I am estimating that a cover sized for our Mini made out of this material would come in at around 20 ounces! The material is feather light, durable, and does not scratch. These motorcycle covers are sold under the Cycle Gear name so I have no idea who manufacturers them or what material they are made out of. A cover made out of this for our mini would be what I am looking for.....one layer, simple, durable, and does the job.
Just curious, but why the interest in weight?
I was concerned about scratches from a tight fitting cover used over and over building up dirt to scratch the MINI.
California Car covers (https://www.calcarcover.com/) I use them for outdoors but they make them for indoors also. The outdoor ones are extremely light weight and effective. Can put it on in fall and take it off in spring and it looks like the day I covered it up. They are custom fit, so you have to tell them if you have driving lights, factory long antenna etc ....
I was concerned about scratches from a tight fitting cover used over and over building up dirt to scratch the MINI.
I associate weight with bulk. Just trying to keep things simple and easy to handle inside my garage where it tends to get dusty, especially when I am working on another project.
CCC referred me to another company, which sent me to yet another company, from where I am trying out a, lightweight (2lbs), universal, "small" car cover. This is a long shot so I will reserve my opinion about this cover until I get it and see if it fits my needs. Then I will post back and let others know what I think. Thanks all for your help and suggestions!
Suggest you take a look at Cover King Stormproof covers. Yes, they're for outdoors, yes, they're virtually waterproof but they're lightweight, fit great and when folded, don't take a lot of room. I use mine as an indoor dust cover just as you describe.
Check Covercraft car covers. They make custom fitted car covers and they fit pretty nicely. This is the one I used a few used ago before I subscribed to the theory that they might scratch your paint.
From my experience, car covers do scratch your paint...but mostly if the car is kept outside and the wind causes the cover to shift and rub. Why not use an inexpensive plastic cover while you work on your projects? Griots has a disposable cover for $13.
Okay..... here's what's happened: Cover purchased, cover received, cover on car. This is a seriously light weight cover, fit is great and it was $20.95 shipped. We purchased this cover mainly to keep the dust off of our ride when parked in the garage. For this purpose it is perfect! Cover corners are elastic and there is a draw string in front to add more hem tension if desired. The size small fit our Roadster very well, however, I might think a medium size would be needed for the 2 dr standard body. Oxgord.com
Yes, it is my opinion that any car cover can scratch your finish. Best bet is to clean your car BEFORE covering it to avoid abrasion or particle accumulation between the cover and the paint. Better yet, get a quality coat of wax on your car to reduce surface friction even further. In some cases manufacturers treat their car cover fabrics to resist scratching....but, it is my belief that any dirt trapped between your cover and your paint can scratch it.
