TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Thu 11 May 2006 19:02
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - Surrey_Scientist
Have just bought a celica convertible and went to Halfords to get a TYvek car cover.

Material is supposed to be breathable, waterproof etc.

Was just about to take one of the boxes to the checkout when I noticed one of the boxes had a little round yellow sticker with "Caution do not use on soft-top convertibles" in small writing.

It gave no reason why, and none of the other (identical ) boxes had this warning on it.

None of the staff could elaborate either.

Have tried searching the web and can't come up with an answer either.

Fabric is made by Dupont, and their technical manual for the fabric doesn't say anything about it either.

Has anyone used one of these covers for a convertible with any success, or can suggest why I shouldn't get one.

Are they indeed as breathable as they are made out to be, or does one get problems with damp.

The only other breathable covers I have seen are nearly £200 and have to be ordered specially from companys that seem to make to order........

I am intending to store the convertible mainly in my sisters garage, but the roof has the occaisional leak, so thought I'd better get a breathabel cover for it even though it is inside.

Thanks !!!
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Thu 11 May 2006 20:23
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - steveo3002
i have the halfords tyvec cover...its pretty good, never had a issue on my hard roofed car, they do breathe, you can test it by tipping a bowl of water on it..it soaks through from inside but not from outside

cant think of a single reason why it should harm a soft top...think you should be okay, just make sure the car is clean and dry before covering it up
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Thu 11 May 2006 20:33
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - bell boy
might be a silly answer but ive just googled the tyvec name and they have a website why not email them for a definative answer?
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Thu 11 May 2006 20:59
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - adverse camber
I have only come across tyvek as makers of breathable roof felt, so why not use it to fix the garage roof and gain a useable space ?

I presume that there is a possible problem with the fabric used in some soft tops when in contact with damp tyvek. Does it leach colour or something ? or maybe bond to plasticy soft tops?
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Thu 11 May 2006 21:18
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - Peter D
As the wind moves the cover around it chaffes the fabric of the soft top. In addition I have heard that the condensation that forms causes the soft top to go mouldy. Ask the manufacturers directly. Regards Peter
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Fri 12 May 2006 00:10
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - steveo3002
yeah it would be best to ask

as for damp or mould issues, my cover stated you could cover a wet car, and it will still dry as normal

if you find out..let us know
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Fri 12 May 2006 10:03
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - Harmattan
If the cover is so impervious to water, why not drop the top. Make sure to avoid any pockets or depressions in the cover where water might collect. Alternatively, look on Ebay for a Permabag or Carcoon or similar. I use a Permabag for long term storage of a roadster and it has so far worked well over nearly five years with none of the smells you usually get from long-term storage. Since there is room I have even put a carpet or two inside for storage. However, it is going to cost around £200 for a Celica-size car and you have to regenerate the moisture absorbing canisters at least once a quarter.
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Fri 12 May 2006 11:17
TYVEK Car Covers - OK for Convertibles ? - Peter D
Insurance probably void is left with top down. Steve. Yes when wet bot that is regarding a hard top not a soft top. Regards Peter
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