The question of what exactly is called cover For a car, it often baffles inexperienced car owners, because the market is full of various terms. Depending on the design, material and purpose, this product can be called an awning, cape, mask cover or even a self-discharge. Understanding the correct terminology is critical, since the type of product depends on the degree of protection of the body from hail, ultraviolet, dust or snow.
Many people confuse the concepts, believing that any textile accessory for cars has a single name, but this is not the case. tent It usually covers the entire vehicle, including the wheels, while the vehicle is cape It can only cover the roof or hood. There are also specialized heat-cover For winter and lightweight options for summer parking.
In this article, we will examine all the existing types of external protection in detail, explain the difference between them and help you decide on the choice for your specific case. You will know why it is right. selection (for example, multi-layered spanbond against tarpaulin) affects the safety of the paintwork, and what nuances should be considered when buying.
The main types of external protection of the body
The first thing that the car owner needs to decide on is the purpose of using the cover. If you need protection from the sun and dust during a long parking, the ideal solution is to use the sun. autotrench. This is a full-size product that completely covers the body, protecting it from all sides. Such models often have pockets for wheels and reinforced seams.
For those looking for a solution for daily parking in the open air, more suitable roof-cover. It covers only the top of the car, saving from the scorching sun, bird droppings and fallen leaves. This is an easier option that is easier to remove and fold in the trunk.
- 🛡️ Full-size awnings: It offers maximum 360 degree protection but takes longer to install.
- 🌤️ Roof capes: protect against overheating of the cabin and burnout of plastic, convenient to use.
- ❄️ Thermonacids: special insulated models to prevent icing of the glass in winter.
- 🚗 Mask covers: close the front or rear part of the body, protecting the headlights and bumper from chipping.
Special attention deserves car-maskThese are often used by truckers or when storing cars in open parking lots. They cover the “face” of the car, protecting the headlights from stones and the radiator from insects.
⚠️ Warning: Never put a wet case on your car and don’t leave a wet body under a thick synthetic coating. This will cause corrosion and microcracks on the varnish due to the lens effect and lack of ventilation.
Manufacture materials and their properties
The quality of protection depends on what is made of. carcase. Modern manufacturers use complex composite fabrics that combine strength, lightness and the ability to pass air. The most popular material is multilayer polypropylene, often referred to simply as spanbond with the addition of protective layers.
Budget options are often made from Oxford or Tarpaulin. They are durable, waterproof materials, but they have a serious drawback – they do not “breathe”. The use of such fabrics is permissible only for very short periods of time or under the condition of ideal dryness of the body. For permanent storage, it is better to choose materials with a puffy inner layer that does not scratch the varnish.
The table below compares the main types of materials used for the production of external protection:
| Materials | Waterproofness | Air permeability | seasonality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spunbond (multilayered) | Tall. | Great. | All-season |
| Oxford (Oxford) | Absolute. | Low. | Rain/Dirt |
| Impropriated cotton | Medium | Tall. | Summer/Garage |
| tarpaulin | Absolute. | Absent. | Short-term |
When choosing, pay attention to the inner surface of the product. It should be soft, viscous and non-abrasive. If the inside is rough, the wind will rub the fabric against the body, leaving micro-scratches known as a “spider web.” Fleece lining It is considered the gold standard for the interior of quality awnings.
Winter covers and thermal protection
During the cold season, the vehicle protection requirements change. The main liar is not the sun, but freezing rain, snow and temperature changes. winter heat-catch (or thermal blanket) has a multilayer structure with a foil or foam layer that retains engine heat and prevents glass from freezing.
The use of the thermocloud allows you to reduce the time of heating up the engine in the morning and avoid the formation of an ice crust on the windshield. This is especially true in harsh climates where ice scraping becomes a daily routine. These products are often called flat-wallTechnically, these are thermal protection covers.
The design of winter models provides for reinforced mounts so that wind gusts do not disrupt the protection. Often they have cutouts for wipers or special valves. It is important that the material retains elasticity in the cold and does not crack when folding.
- 🌡️ Heat retention: The engine cools down much more slowly, making it easier to start.
- 🧊 Ice protection: The glass remains clean and no scraping is required.
- 🔋 Savings in resource: Fewer cold starts prolong the life of the battery and the motor.
- 🌨️ Snow protection: Snow does not clog the locks of doors and larvae.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the thermal cover fits tightly to the exhaust pipe, but does not completely block air access if the design provides for the operation of the engine under cover (although more often the cover is removed before starting).
Salon protection: seat covers
Speaking about the name of the case on the car, we can not forget about the interior. Car covers for seats - this is a separate category of goods designed to protect factory upholstery from abrasion, stains and burnout. They are model (sewn according to the patterns of a particular brand of car) and universal.
Model covers repeat the bends of the seats, do not interfere with the work of the side airbags and look like a factory retraction. Universal options are cheaper, but often sit imperfectly and can slip. Materials are used a variety of: from eco-skin and alcantara to durable jacquard and velour.
For pet owners or parents of young children, there are special protective capes that are easy to clean. They are fixed on the backs and seats, creating a barrier between the passenger and upholstery. This is a practical solution that allows you to save the value of the car during resale.
How to take measurements for universal covers?
To select a universal case, it is necessary to measure the width of the seat cushion, the height of the back from the junction with the cushion and the total height of the backrest. Also important is the shape of the head restraint and the presence of an armrest.
Rules for the operation and care of awnings
So cartridge served for a long time and did not cause damage to the body, it is necessary to follow the rules of its use. The dirt and sand caught between the fabric and the varnish work like an abrasive. Therefore, before putting on the cover, the body should be clean and dry.
To put a wet product in a sealed bag is impossible - the fabric will begin to lime, mold and an unpleasant smell will appear, which is then difficult to remove. Drying the awning is better in the straightened form in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can accelerate the degradation of synthetic fibers.
The product must be washed periodically according to the manufacturer's instructions. Usually, delicate machine washing is allowed at a temperature not higher than 30-40 degrees without the use of aggressive bleachers. This will help restore the water-repellent properties of impregnation.
☑️ Preparation for the tent
Store the cover in a special bag, in a dry place. If you use it daily, try to fold it carefully to avoid the formation of cracks that can eventually turn into cracks on the material.
How to choose and where to buy the right cover
When buying, it is important to consider the dimensions of your car. Tents for sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs differ in the cut. The package always indicates the class of the car (for example, C-class, SUV, L-class). Buying too small an awning will cause the seams to break, and too large will flutter in the wind.
Pay attention to the presence of lightning to access doors, reflective elements for safety in the dark and pockets for wheels. Quality fittings - a sign of a good product. Cheap lightning can rust after the first rain.
It is better to buy protection in specialized auto stores or from trusted manufacturers, where you can get advice. Cheap analogues from markets often lack material safety certificates and can release toxins when heated.
Comparison of cost and feasibility of purchase
The cost of a quality awning can vary from several thousand to tens of thousands of rubles. The question is: is this spending justified? If you are driving a car outside without a garage, the answer is yes. Repair of chips, polishing of burnt varnish and dry cleaning of the cabin from bird droppings will cost much more.
For garage storage, a light-weight (dust-protective) cover from a thin spanbond is enough. It will prevent the settling of dust on the body and simplify the care of the car. In this case, overpaying for thick multi-layer models does not make sense.
In the long run, investing in good body protection helps to maintain the residual value of the car. The machine with the perfect paint coating (LCP) is always in great demand in the secondary market.
Buying a quality awning is an investment in preserving the presentation of the car and protecting against expensive repairs of the LCP in the future.
Can I wash a car awning in the washing machine?
Yes, most modern awnings made of multi-layered spanbond can be washed in the car. However, you need to choose a delicate mode, the temperature is not higher than 30-40 degrees and turn off the spin. It is better to use liquid detergents without chlorine. Drying should be done only in natural conditions, without the use of heaters.
Will the case protect you from hail?
A regular light awning may not cope with a large hail. To protect against hail, there are special reinforced models with an additional compacted layer (often with EVA foam or several layers of dense tissue). They are heavier and more expensive, but really able to soften the impact of hailstones of medium size.
How often should I change my car cover?
The service life depends on the quality of the material and operating conditions. Cheap plastic capes can become unusable in one season due to ultraviolet light. High-quality multi-layer awnings with proper care serve 3-5 years or more. Signs of wear are loss of water-repellent properties, thinning of fabric and destruction of seams.
Is the awning for paintwork harmful?
It is only harmful if it is of poor quality (rough inside) or if it is worn on a dirty car. Dust and sand under the fabric work like sandpaper. It is also harmful if the awning flutters strongly in the wind, constantly whipping on the body. A properly selected size and soft inner surface eliminate harm.
Are there any car covers for specific models?
Yes, there are model awnings that are sewn according to the patterns of specific cars (for example, only for the Ford Focus 3 or Toyota Camry). They sit perfectly tight, have cutouts under mirrors and antennas, as well as lightning in the right places. However, they are more expensive than universal and are more difficult to find in stock.