Car Cover Related Definitions
Elements of Fabric Performance
- RAIN
- Condensed moisture that falls from the atmosphere. For car cover applications it is important to know how well a fabric resists the rain? The best fabrics will shed water, but in extended rain storms even the best fabrics 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, which 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 DROPPINGS
- 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 HANDLING 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 REQUIRE
- How much trunk space is required for a stored, folded cover?
- MILDEW / ROT RESISTANT
- All Covercraft fabrics are treated with inhibitors to minimize mold and mildew.
Car Cover Related Names
- Covercraft Industries Inc.
- The largest manufacture of car covers in the United States.
- Sunbrella®
- Woven acylic fabric by Glen Raven, Inc., available in 5 different colors: Pacific Blue, Sky Blue, Cadet Gray, Jet Black, and Toast. See additional Sunbrella details.
- WeatherShield®