There are many external and environmental factors that can cause damage to your Auto’s bodywork.

Some factors work quickly, and others take longer. The factors include: Rain, Snow, Acid Rain, Dirt and dust, UV sunlight damage, Bird squeeze, Tree sap, Wind damage and Dings. Your Auto’s paintwork will fade or be damaged, the rubbers and seals around windows, trunk and doors will deteriorate and be less effective, and the polished glasswork of windscreens and windows will fade, and be replaced by a difficult to remove greasy film or scratches.

This damage will lead to a tired and cheap looking auto. Repairing this damage often means an expensive trip to the garage to fix your body and paint work – usually a complete rub down and re-spray is required to restore the paint work. Fixing seals and glass usually means removing the old damaged ones, and fitting new seals and glass.

To prevent this damage during storage or when the vehicle is parked not in use for periods of time, a good form of protection is using Car Covers and Car Bras. What should you look out for in selecting any form of protection:-

RAIN: How well does the fabric? Best materials will shed water, but in extended rain storms even the best materials will absorb varying amounts of moisture.

SNOW: How well does the fabric resist snow? Snow on the surface of a cover will eventually melt. On the best covers, minimal amounts of moisture will seep through the cover.

ACID RAIN: Will the cover hold out the contaminants suspended in acid rain?

DIRT / DUST: Will the cover prevent dirt and dust that settles on a cover to sift through over time?

UV (sun) DAMAGE: How good is the fabric at blocking UV rays from the vehicles surface and interior? Best fabrics provide 100% UV protection.

BIRD SQUEEZE: Best fabrics will not allow bird droppings to permeate the material and get on the exterior of the vehicle.

TREE SAP: Tree sap is difficult to remove from exterior surfaces. The best fabrics will prevent most types of tree sap from reaching the paint finish.

BREATHABILITY: How easily can moisture, condensation and heat escape from under the cover?

HEAT INSULATION: Is the fabric thick enough to offer any insulating properties to reduce the vehicle temperature on hot days?

SOFT TOUCH: How soft to the touch is the fabric? Best fabrics provide a soft, silky finish against the paint surface.

DING PROTECTION: Based on the thickness of the fabric, will it provide some ding protection for the vehicle while parked?

EASE OF INSTALLING IN THE WIND: How easy is the cover to install and remove in windy conditions? Generally, fabrics with higher weight per square yard are easier to handle.

STORAGE SPACE NEEDED: How much trunk space is required for a stored, folded cover?

MILDEW / ROT RESISTANT: Has the fabric been treated with inhibitors to minimize mold and mildew? Keeping these in mind will help to ensure you make the right choice for your auto.

Mandip Sohal, 2007, www.automobile-depot-online.com