Cars can evoke mixed feelings in most of us. The author expresses deep affection for their 1955 Chevy 150, which holds sentimental value as their first car. They admire its distinctive features like the lack of chrome and the original body shape, and modifications like the supercharged engine and custom paint. However, these same aspects can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration, particularly living in Memphis where the black color of the car attracts pollen, making maintenance a constant challenge. The love-hate relationship with the car is a common experience for car owners, especially in regions with specific environmental challenges.
Living in the South can be challenging due to the high humidity and unpredictability of afternoon showers. Dealing with precipitation of any form, including rain, can sometimes lead to frustration with Mother Nature. The humidity in the region tends to be so high that the dew point is often higher than the overnight temperature. This can result in the need to wipe down vehicles at car shows in the morning to prevent water spots. To address these annoyances, getting a water-resistant car cover can be a practical solution. Covercraft offers a variety of protective covers for both the exterior and interior of cars, making it easy to find the right fit for your vehicle. Their website provides convenient search options, including the ability to create a custom cover to suit your specific needs.
Jegelewicz mentioned that the website was created to be user-friendly. It was important to make it simple for customers to find the car protection products they needed based on their specific needs. The Covercrafter tool was designed to facilitate easy comparison of different cover options in terms of materials and conditions.
Car covers are divided into two main categories: for indoor use only, and for outdoor/indoor use. The focus was on the latter category. There are eight different conditions to consider, such as UV protection, rain protection, and dust protection. The website listed all these conditions and included a color-coded scale to show how well each cover could handle a particular condition.
Within the outdoor/indoor category, there are 11 types of car covers available, with various colors and customization options. With so many choices, the website provides sliders to filter the conditions and show covers that meet the specified criteria.
According to me, the most crucial factors were protection from rain and dust. I adjusted the sliders for these factors to the highest level, resulting in three options. Due to the black color of my car which easily shows small scratches, I prioritized "Soft Touch" protection as well. After setting this slider to the maximum level, the Weathershield HP cover was recommended as the top choice. This cover is touted to offer the best outdoor protection in various conditions such as sun, rain, and snow. Jegelewicz mentioned that the Weathershield HP is popular due to its all-weather fabric that provides excellent indoor and outdoor protection, is user-friendly, and lightweight.
The Covercraft website offers a user-friendly experience where you can customize your search for protective covers by selecting specific conditions. By adjusting sliders on the website, unsuitable covers can be filtered out. Covercraft has a history of collaboration with Nextec for over 25 years, resulting in the development of the Weathershield HP cover using EPIC fabric. EPIC fabric involves precise polymer placement and a special chemical finish that enhances protection by encapsulating woven fibers. The innovative process is supported by 51 patents, showcasing its advanced technology.
The process of encapsulation provides protection against all types of weather, is easy to maintain, can be packed into a small space, and has a soft finish that won't damage the paint while still allowing for breathability. This seemed to be the perfect solution for my needs, so I ordered a cover for a convertible or hardtop without mirror pockets for my '55 car. During the checkout process, I also noticed two additional options that I thought would be useful. One of them was a black zippered tote bag for $25, which would allow me to store the cover neatly behind the front seat when not in use.
The next item was a lock and cable kit. As someone who attends many car shows, I have heard stories of people waking up the following morning in their hotel rooms only to discover that their car cover has been stolen. Thus, spending the additional $10 on this security device was an easy decision. Although it is possible for a thief to cut through the cover or cable, most thieves prefer quick thefts and are likely to move on to an easier target. It was surprising that all the contents of this kit could fit into a small box. A reminder: if your vehicle has an antenna, make sure to install the rubber grommet in the correct place.
The instructions will help you with the steps. Additionally, all outdoor Covercraft covers come with a warranty of at least 2 years. Some covers even have coverage for up to 6 years. The Weathershield HP cover that I purchased includes a 4-year warranty.
My surprise was evident when a small package arrived at my door a few days after ordering – I never thought it could possibly be a cover for a '55 Chevy. To my amazement, it was indeed the cover for my car. After washing the car, I proceeded to follow the instructions for setting up the cover. It is important to note that the fabric is very smooth, making it important to be cautious and prevent it from slipping off during installation. While it is possible to do it alone, it is recommended to have a second person assist if possible.
The car cover fits very well, with professionally stitched panels and seams that align well with the car's shape. Unlike many one-size-fits-all covers, this one conforms nicely to the specific contours of the car to prevent issues like flapping in the wind or coming off entirely. It has a snug fit around details like the blower scoop and stretches comfortably under the bumpers, providing full coverage for the wheels on both sides.
The cover fits tightly, with enough space to fit the blower scoop underneath and still cover the wheels. I am very satisfied with how well the Weathershield HP cover fits. It's impressive how it can fit into a small tote bag when following the proper removal instructions. It is easily stored on the rear floorboard where it blends in with my black interior. Securing the cable and lock through the rubber grommets is simple. The front of the cover has the Covercraft logo to ensure it is not put on backwards.
Apologies for the messy garage, but with limited space, it's difficult to keep things organized. Although my '55 car cover has yet to be exposed to rain, I am confident it will stay dry. I sprayed water on the hood and it repelled the fabric, showing no signs of getting wet. The real test was how well it would protect the car from dust and pollen in the garage, which it successfully did. When I washed the car before an 18-day trip, the cover proved its effectiveness.
Upon our return, I uncovered my vehicle in preparation for the weekly cruise-in. I anticipated needing to apply some wax and detail work before heading out. Surprisingly, the car was already in pristine condition, appearing as clean as if it had just been washed. It was snugly covered under the Weathershield HP cover next to my daily driver. During a conversation with an individual in the auto-aftermarket industry, I inquired about any new products for my readers. The individual mentioned the recent launch of their innovative Grafix Series and Viewshield fabrics, with more exciting introductions on the horizon. Despite not being able to provide specific details at that moment, I was informed that a new product had been introduced through their weekly newsletter since our discussion.
This car cover is Denim Blue in color and features a unique design with orange stitching, even though it is not actually made of denim. If you're considering getting a car cover, I recommend reaching out to Covercraft or using their website to create a customized cover that suits your needs. I regret not doing this sooner, as it would have saved me time constantly cleaning my car before use.
