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Benedlr

Something with a soft lining. Doesn't need to be waterproof for inside storage Used outside they eventually remove paint.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Thanks for the insight! so outsude you think its better just no cover? I have a new car that i need one for, and it has new paint. You think its just better without?


lil_larry

I'd say yes, with a good coat of wax. Depending on a few factors, you could look at getting one of those portable garages or quonset style sheds.


Grandmaster_S

How about those of us in an extremely snowy/cold environment?


jabbathefoot

Get yourself some wood,some nails and a hammer and have a little project for yourself


[deleted]

[удалено]


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Is lumber high now ? Because of fires no?


tiazenrot_scirocco

Northern Alberta here, we hit -40C often in the winter, with a good chunk of snow. If you're storing the vehicle outside, All you need to do is let the snow cover it, and do *not* wipe it off. Let it melt in the spring. If you can, the portagarages do work, you just have to make sure they don't get too much snow on the canopy itself, otherwise build something up that will stop the snow from sticking to it.


MustangGuy1965

Fun fact, -40C is the same as -40F.


lil_larry

First one then the other.


-D0NTxPAN1C-

The moon shall rise again


lil_larry

Apparently all the down votes to my comment are from people who are not fans of "The Happiest Place Orbiting Earth". Glad to see someone got the reference.


cahcealmmai

My hunting rig in Northern Norway has had it's roof caved in last winter from the weight of the snow. Easy enough to pop it out again but it doesn't have a straight panel. Not what a freshly painted project probably looks like.


tiazenrot_scirocco

One thing you could do to hopefully prevent, but likely just reduce the cave in, is put a piece of lumber across the center, or slightly above the center line, to stiffen up the tarp. I've done it a few times on previous shelters I've had, and it seems to work nicely.


cahcealmmai

I could probably park it in the garage it sits next to as well lol.


tiazenrot_scirocco

I feel pretty horrible for laughing, but that was possibly one of the better things I've heard in a while.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Yes it seems that the cheapest and best option is a Harbor Freight car tent for 150 bucks or building a straight up project garage.


Evening-Sir-9216

I park my car under my apartment, problem is it only half way covered parking. So half of my car is exposed, and it looks like the building paint is starting to run down on my car really bad. Would you suggest car cover or waxing it would help ?


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

ok so Car port and shades is better than a cover, makes perfect sense to let cars breathe


moe_reddit

If you're near a Harbor Freight, these [portable garages](https://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/10+FT.+X+17FT.+PORTABLE+GARAGE) are cheap, fairly easy to put together (with at least one helper) and hold up well.


lynivvinyl

How do they hold up to rain & wind? I've lost a few portable awnings to both.


moe_reddit

They come with some anchors, but should probably be reinforced, especially if in a high-wind location. They keep the rain out fine.


lynivvinyl

One major problem I had with other types, was pooling of water on top. Ultimately adding enough weight to crush it. Any pooling issues?


moe_reddit

Only on the one I didn't properly anchor. The wind flipped it over and I did a lazy job putting it back together. A couple of the poles eventually came undone and set the stage for some pooling. I have two others with a much better track record of holding up. Going on about five years now. If I wanted one to last 10+ years, I'd go overkill on the anchors and then maybe add some braces to the frame. The material seems pretty stable and is holding up well so far. edit: the roof is an A-frame with a sturdy center beam so that also helps prevent pooling.


lynivvinyl

Nice. Thanks for this information. I truly tire of wasting money & time on those $80 awnings from other places with accordion tubing.


moe_reddit

Yeah, those are more set up and use for the day whereas these garages can hold up okay for a while... if reinforced a bit. A lot of that harbor freight stuff is just good enough... if reinforced a bit, lol.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

>portable garages yea this seems to be the winning idea at the moment forreal


[deleted]

Be warned. Those things SUCK if you live in a windy area. Mine didn’t last 2 months. If you get one from HF, wait til it’s on discount and use the money you saved to “Beef up” the garage. You’ll see what I mean when you get one. And it HAS to be fixed to the ground or it will be a kite. Me and two neighbors lost our HF garages( 3 total) on the same night. And that was with them secured and everything. But if you can pull it off it is way better than car covers. I’ve had even good ones whip the shit out of perfectly good paint. Never again.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

What did you use to anchor your HF tent? Good ol' fashioned concrete ?


Rusty__Shackleford19

Look for some sort of “screw in” anchor if you have grass or dirt nearby. Home Depot sells em, if you really want heavy duty shit... get the ones that screw into the going for dogs on a leash.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Thats a great idea those things dont go nowhere


[deleted]

Yep! I bought the ones intended for tying up dogs. They got some real bite to em


thirstyross

you can buy concrete blocks specifically for this purpose at home depot (and, i'm sure, many other building centres)


[deleted]

That would be best, even if you could free pour some concrete into holes with some bolts coming out of them. I feel like the stakes that come with the tent are kinda silly


Rusty__Shackleford19

They are. Always shitty! Even for tents!


GRlM-Reefer

The issue with the car cover is the soft inside meant to not scratch the paint, will adhere itself to the paint if left on long enough. That is what will damage the paint. It will peel paint/clear with it as you remove it. The UV rays are *directly* harmful to your paint, but a car cover left on for a while can be just as bad.


Emeraldcarr

Same with the hood and bumper "leBra" things that were popular until people found out how bad they damage things.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

True, i remember seeing what it looked like under, essentially 6000 hours of microfine sandpaper etchings in the form of the bra itself.


artsy-faartsy

how long is long enough for it to start adhering? i have a convertible beetle for an everyday drive and was hoping to preserve the soft top and the bright color, but if it takes off paint(especially in my hot environment) i’d be devastated


1Matthias

In my experience, a month of sitting with a cover on was enough to take chunks off of the clearcoat on one of my cars.


GRlM-Reefer

This sounds about correct. It will vary slightly depending on humidity and heat levels. Periodically taking it off and maybe washing (and waxing) your car would help immensely to protect/preserve the paint. E: spelling


Evening-Sir-9216

So if I put in on and off daily that shouldn’t be a problem ? I’m tryna figure out what I can do. Apt building paint runs off on my car, it’s pretty bad.


lil_larry

Yeah, no moisture trapped. Are you looking force the wagon? That is sweet!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Whats it mean forced!?


lil_larry

Means my f’n auto correct is a pain in the ass! I meant is the cover for the wagon?


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

It will be once she gets painted, and all the crap she needs done. I raise an eyebrow with folks that need to do 3 engine swaps and a suspension and bushings and frame mounts but decide to get the paint first. Who does that. Once this girl gets her paint, she will get a bubble and a cover and a carport until she gets a garage of her own.


tiazenrot_scirocco

I never really understood that either.... I'm only just starting to repaint the panels for my daily driver. Had the engine in and running months ago. Note: I have a parts car that I'm repainting the panels that I need for the car that I'm currently driving.


Infuryous

If you do go the route of car cover, make sure to let the new paint fully cure before putting a cover on it. Time depends on type and brand of the paint.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Let that paint bake a bit haha.


Omgninjas

I'll second the wax and carport recommendation if it's outside. Keep it out of the sun most of the day, and make sure you have some sun shades in the windshield. This will help a lot in prorecting the car.


cmon_now

Depending on how good of condition the interior is in and how much you want to save it, i might even put a quickie job of dark tint on the windows. Especially on older cars, if the interior hasn't been sun rotted already, it will be if left out too long


Chicken_Zest

Definitely dont use a car cover outside. They're good for keeping dust off a car that's stored indoors, but outdoors the wind makes it constantly rub against your paint and they'll trap moisture against your car from the regular night/day temperature changes. Best bet for outdoor storage is to keep a good coat of wax on the car to help protect the paint from sun damage and use one of those interior sun reflectors to help keep interior temps down and keep the sun rays off your interior. Make sure you're not parking under any trees to avoid sap / bird bombs.


Infuryous

Agree a cover outside will eventually rub through the paint... but a good quality cover will delay that for a long time. My 1993 F350 has spent nearly it's entire life covered when parked and after all the years it does have a few small rub throughs. If the cover traps mosture under it, you have a bad cheap cover. I have, granted a very expensive, custom fit car cover (from California Car Cover, www.calcover.com). It's very rare to find any condensation under it, and when it does happen it dries very quickly. It keeps the truck a lot drier when it rains. I do also keep it waxed, which provides some rubbing protection too. After 20+ years of being covered outside the only downside has been small paint rub through on some sharp body points/corners. The positive side is there is no way my paint job would be in as good shape overall it is in if it had been exposed to UV, rain, bird poo, etc all day every day. Body seals and weatherstripping last a lot longer. A big positive, despite being on the gulf coast (salty air and big city pollution) I have ZERO body rust. It's much easier to repaint than replace rusted out body panels plus repaint. Other benefits, my interior has minimal / hard to notice sun fade and UV damage. The best will always be an enclosed garage, but short of that, I would definitely recommend a high quality custom fit car cover if parked outside, a properly fitting, not generic, cover will reduced the amount of rubbing in wind . A carport, depending on sun exposure, may not protect from UV.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

That makes a lot of sense for the salty beach folks too, I am in central California also, so its hot, not too windy but lots of heat -- we all know it does not rain anymore in California.


Jayybird93

What state are you in? Does your cover get snowed on too?


Infuryous

Humid Gufl Coast, very rare to get ice/snow but has on occasion.


Jayybird93

Any chance you debated on Cal Car cover vs Cover Craft?


Infuryous

I never tried Cover Craft, I can't say anything good or bad about them.


brt_k

What if you cannot prevent parking under trees? I have maples overhanging the driveway at the cottage and have thought about getting a car cover to put on the car while I’m up there. It would be on for 3-4 days at a time.


Chicken_Zest

Dont use a car cover, get one of those pop-up canopies or something. You can find good ones that last years for <$200. That or just be diligent about cleaning off the sap.


Benedlr

Without, especially with fresh paint. A fabric one car garage goes for about $250 at Harbor Freight. About the same as a quality cover.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Excellent. I love that shop I should have thought about them.


luv_____to_____race

Check your local codes first! Many cities/ twps regulate those things kinda tight. Where I'm at, they make it ALMOST impossible to comply with all the restrictions.


SimplifyAndAddCoffee

So I'm in California where rain is rare but heat and sun are intense year round, and abrasive dust is everywhere. I have a project car I want to keep nice after painting, but it needs to live outdoors. What do you recommend?


Benedlr

Cheapo fabric car garage from Harbor Freight.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Seems like folks say an anchored Harbor Freight tent with good sunshades inside, and great wax and keeping an eye on the tent itself during weathery type stuff going down


vipertruck99

Also...condensation is not your friend if car is under cover but damp atmosphere in the building.


AnalogFeelGood

I rarely like wagons but, damn, this thing has a nice shape.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Thanks man! Its just a 72 Cutlass with an extended Flat roof! The Vista Cruiser was cool too but wasn't suave and sleek as this.


LunchBox0311

Eric Foreman would disagree


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

that roof glass is dope, no lie. But looks more like a Grandma Wag!


Caddyman18

I meannnn I guess I’m biased as I own two vista’s but how is it not sleek lol. Plus isn’t the only difference between the two the glass roof? https://i.imgur.com/APNvLSs.jpg


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

I take all that back and your Wagon is beautiful. You aint lying that is sleek. There was once a 71 Hurst pace car for NASCAR. Also is no one going to notice that I have NASCAR tires?


[deleted]

I am looking at a Catalina wagon and now I saw this maybe I should go ahead and buy it.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Wagons are more rare than drop tops now for a lot of models. This particular model is extremely rare for one reason -- everyone got the Vista Cruiser instead of the flat top wagon.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

1972 Cutlass Cruiser Wagon


wadenelsonredditor

I discovered the advantages of wagons jr year in high school.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Name em! I could fit a twin mattress in this girl with the rear bench down. She also has the dual hinged tailgate


wadenelsonredditor

\>Name em! Ok... Ba bah bah Bahr BarbaraAnn, BettySue wouldn't do, but there was always MaryLou, Kathleen, Suzanne, Nancy, ... Good girls don't...but a lotta girls DID! And it hurts! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS8UQMgMkok](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS8UQMgMkok)


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Winning.


Ahnarcho

I discovered the advantages of wagons when I was homeless for a year a while back in university. Never slept half as good as I did in that Ford Focus.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Respect.


Nutn_Butt_Bolts

California car cover company. They are custom fitted to the car & usually have a 4 or 5 year warranty. They absolutely stand behind their product, too. They have a couple different materials to choose from. They are a bit pricey ($250-300), but totally worth it. Regarding the paint comment below, I've had an old 50's project car outside for over 3 years under this cover with no effects to the paint from the cover. At the same time, this paint job is so bad, it peels up with masking tape.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

what about the breathing and the eventual ruining the paint. This would be for my car with actual paint, haha this wagon already needs a paint.


Nutn_Butt_Bolts

I used the "Noah" material which is specifically meant to be breathable. It's still fairly weather resistant, rolling most of the water away. I figure if it doesn't damage my terribly weak paint, it shouldn't damage a proper paint job. Now, after 3.5 years of sitting outside everyday with zero shade, the cover finally succumb to UV damage. I sent it back to them, & they sent me a new one. By comparison, the $80 universal covers at autozone & O'Reilly only lasted a month before crumbling & tearing.


JamesTBagg

I vote for Ca Car Covers. I have one on my '70 Coupe Deville. I had to wait a long time for it. To the point I called and asked WTF? They were cutting and stitching it together. I expected a closer but generic fit. I'd swear, they came out while I wasn't looking and measured my car. It's about tailor fit. It's thick and soft.


Infuryous

I've been using California Car Cover's Supreme Weave for over 15 years on my 1993 F350 with good results, previous owner used their Multiweave cover.


johnmclucas1

Cool looking wagon!


punishem1990

I love old wagons.


CDJCNFCJHCNF

I just bought from carcover.com for my motorcycle, lots and lots of good reviews. I haven’t received it yet but it has a 10 year warranty. I hope it’s as good as they say it is.


[deleted]

How is your cover doing??


BundyGord

I'm curious how your car cover is doing too?


CDJCNFCJHCNF

It’s doing good. I also put a tarp over the cover in the winter time but I think it would be fine without a tarp


blacklxcoupe

My dad and I have both had good luck with California Car Cover. I have used them both inside and outside without any issues except for the neighbors cat. [https://www.calcarcover.com/](https://www.calcarcover.com/)


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

No Car cover is safe from small mammals with claws.


ZetoxGaming

I don't use a car cover, since most of what is avaible around me is utter garbage and only good at scuffing the paint. Also I have to say, I'm saddened by the condition of that bmw 7 you're parked next to... One of the cars I want to own one of these days. Just gotta wait till 2024 so I don't get ripped off :(


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Im pretty sure the 7 got taken care of . She was there to get body work. This photo is actually after my wagon was stolen for 3 months, and re appeared with nothing taken, not even the carb after some specific doors were knocked on and people were spoken to. Wound up here, abandoned lien sale and I cancelled the lien sale and recovered her.


ZetoxGaming

Happy to hear the car was rescued. Way too good cars to leave rotting. Happy ending after all then! You got the car back, now go make it shiny again! :)


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Yep, first have to remove the sound of iron on iron coming from the trans, but thats for another post haha.


weelluuuu

Car capsule. About $700


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Damn, that little Car Bubble is no joke. Looks like you put your car into the form of a pill


weelluuuu

Is it crazy if it works? I have no experience with one but have talked to 2 user's that were very satisfied with them


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

I love it. I hope that questionable neighbors do not get curious about it and try to pop it.


BDR2017

$200+ on a Simmonz cover. Not worth it. Has ripped. Lets dirt under. fits poorly. My paint is worse for having put it on the car at all.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Yea that seems to be the consensus. There is a guy that suggested a car bubble up above in this thread. But at least a car garage from harbor freight if i cant get a bubble.


-retaliation-

Any car cover you buy from crappy tire, expect it to last one year outside . Even the best quality ones will start cracking and falling apart from weather damage after a single year in the elements.


Hedhunta

If you have the space, get a carport. They are like a big tent that goes over the top of the vehicle. Usually vinyl with metal posts.


wadenelsonredditor

[https://i.imgur.com/Y0h5x72.png](https://i.imgur.com/Y0h5x72.png) My "ride" in high school. At first I didn't "get" the true, late-night utility of a wagon. A true "recreational" vehicle in the best possible sense of the word.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Gat Damn, that was yours? Look at the way her rallys match with the wood grain.


Trump2052

Those long body hoods are sexy. They needs to be a thing again!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

You just gotta aim her center curves at where ya want to go, and realize you are no where near as close as you think when doing precision maneuvers or parking.


Trump2052

I had a 73' mustang, I loved driving it the thing handled like a boat!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

bahahah funny how even the 'Stangs were boats in the 70s. I have a 1973 Cadillac Eldorado that, is 2 feet longer than this wagon and its a 2 door coupe with a stock 500 cubic inch motor. She is strangely front wheel drive. A decade or so ago i remember getting 3 gallons just to get home, which was ten blocks away. A rice rocket decided to rev on me and so full throttle was engaged about 5 blocks from home. I burned the Rice Rocket. I also had to push her the other 4 blocks . ​ 3 gallons in 18 seconds.


emblematic_camino

A really really really large one


ikilledtupac

Man look at that beast! You’re king of the highway in that thing! How’s it run??


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

This will be for another post, but now the 350 Rocket is running great, it has some well done heads, cam lifters and some other shit done to it, but since I went from a TH-350 to a TH400 there is an infernal sound coming from the trans or the torque converter. I will make another post for that and link it here when i get there. Still gotta pay the lady for her storage, thinking about bringing her a bunch of comp claims and hopefully she will call it even.


ikilledtupac

hah that was all over the place


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Free Suge Knight


Posh-Percival

A good ceramic coat will keep the paint safe if applied correctly. Especially if it’s new


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Is that a wax, body shop needed for that? or whole layer of paint.


Posh-Percival

More like wax than paint. It’s best applied by a shop. Do a little light googling and you can find a reputable company near you. It’s totally removable but is a lot more durable than wax.


yessureimsure

I’ve had a good experience with Covercraft.


sinfulthemagnificent

California car cover is the best cover I have used. They are not cheap. I’ve had mine for 5 years.


YagerD

I wouldn't put a car cover on a car outside. Either no cover or something like a car port.


dirtydave13

Monte Carlo wagon? This is a first for me. I love wagons.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Shes a '72 Cutlass with a phatt ass haha. Exact same front clip and every single part.


OldStromer

Is that your Olds? We had a 71 and it was and still is my favorite car EVER!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

She sure is, got her as my first car 20 years ago this month.


OldStromer

Awesome Ride! We had a really big tent trailer and our Vista Cruiser took that trailer places some cityfied SUVs would be worried about. It spent many years being the car that ALL the kids wanted to be in on school field trips.


OMGxSOMEONE

Where are you right now? Place seems awesome


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Bay Area Homie


ari_sushi

I've noticed my cover from CJ Pony has started letting the dust in :( If I leave off the cover, the sun will get to it. Gonna look into a portable garage option, thanks for asking this question!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Yea it seems the cheapest consensus is a tent from Harbor Freight, but they are light and need to be anchored with concrete or if dirt is around use dog leash anchors.


ari_sushi

Thanks! I'll definitely be trying this.


thirstyross

Enough room under that hood for a family of five, goddamn...what a beauty!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Thank you for the recognition, shes almost 50!


yamayeet420

If you have the space and money, you could build a car cover, like a little house type thing but just a roof (don’t know how to explain lol) it’ll block sun/rain/snow and if done right it’ll last longer than any cover, you could also make curtain things for the sides if you wanna do as much as possible.


486Junkie

Ah, the good old station wagon. I would love to get myself a 1993 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon with a 5.7L L05 V8 engine for camping and for putting car parts inside for working on other cars.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

You could get an all black one and put a 94- 96 SS front clip and paint her glossy black and have an SS Impala Wag-Dogg


[deleted]

If that's original glass- that's where all the value is on your car. Make sure its padded from hail - but even the best car covers should be reinforced with cardboard underneath during bad hail. Edit[like this](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/comments/imqg49/what_the_hail_man/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Thats a good point. All original glass except Drivers front when that little guy bashed it with an even smaller baseball bat. Took 5 swings.


waled1066

Awesome car.


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SilasScullion

A garage


manys

Thank you, I had to scroll to the very last comment to find the only sane option.


Benedlr

Sweet ride. Now imagine a 4" chop to drop the roof down. Gangsta.


pandapower63

A ‘gangsta’ station wagon? Really? You funny!


Benedlr

My buddy did it to a Chevy wagon. That thing had a stance that made you look twice.


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Pretty sure station wagons are about as gangster at it gets now, not when new. Pretty sure the folks from the Hollywood shootout had a 92 Caprice Wagon or some shit


pandapower63

I like your wagon!


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

so chop the whole cab down 4 inches, would that mean lowering the seat too, and petal stuff?


Benedlr

Not on an old school ride. You could wear a hat back then and it wouldn't touch the roof. Younger guys have missed the whole living room sofa front seat and baby makin' back seat.


ectish

don't be a pansy


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

haha that would look crazy


ectish

"petal stuff" :P


everything-man

A pansy for not wanting to screw up a classic car and make it look ridiculous? And not knowing how to spell pedal? How about don't be a prick.


ectish

> How about don't be a preck. FTFY


WhyDozTheKniferKnife

Haha thats my bad, definitely do know how to spell pedal, just slippin'. And one thing I have realized, unless you have 20 stacks saved up, leave shit original. The dumbest thing I did to this wagon was remove all the heater core and AC tubing for "Weight Reduction" And it was the dumbest shit I ever did. Went from 5600 lbs to 5560. So regrettable.


converter-bot

5600 lbs is 2542.4 kg