Covering a wet car.

[GPT27]

I've just bought an Elan Showercape from Willb via eBay and it's great. I have one question though, is it ok to put it on whilst the car is wet (after driving in the rain for example)?


Any opinions?

Cheers guys.

[dans]

It can make the car more susecptible to steaming up. And prob keeps some damp inside. I wouldn't have thought it would harm overnight but I make sure I air it asap.

I try to avoid covering it when wet if it looks like its going to freeze overnight. It is not pleasent to try to remove in the morning!!!
I keep meaning to try one of those blade wipes that I've heard people recomeend to remove the surface water from the glass??!

DAN

[ailwyn]

The showercape is only as good as it's name suggests.

It's not waterproof, it helps but in downpours like we've been having it only slows the ingress of water.

Until I can get new A post seals it'll have to do.

As for the freezing, mine has been on a couple of nights where it's frozen on to the windscreen. Haven't had any trouble getting it off, does leave a nice pattern in ice on the glass though

Ailwyn

[Monty]

The showercape is only as good as it's name suggests.

It's not waterproof, it helps but in downpours like we've been having it only slows the ingress of water.

Until I can get new A post seals it'll have to do.

As for the freezing, mine has been on a couple of nights where it's frozen on to the windscreen. Haven't had any trouble getting it off, does leave a nice pattern in ice on the glass though

Ailwyn

It`s 100% waterproof, mine does not leak through.
Had to put luke warm water over the cape to get off when it frozen to the windows

[ailwyn]

Mine must be faulty then as roof and windscreen are wet after a downpour, even to the point of water coming in through the A-post seals.

I am assuming that it's a WillB cape you have?

Ailwyn

[Gazza]

Mine is the same as ailwyn's, good for showers but not 100% waterproof.

The whole roof gets wet, especially under the joins in the showercape.

Gazza

[ailwyn]

Monty, Gazza,

How long have you had your capes?

Mine is only a few weeks old, I wonder whether material/process has changed recently, hence the difference?

Ailwyn

[TheBard]

Had mine for a year, and I'd say it was 95% waterproof. On one seam I get some drips through in heavy storms. I do use a soft full car cover and a tarp when I'm expecting snow, but have left just Will's cover on in freezing rain, and when various tropical storms have blown through, and not had any seepage that has crept into the car!

Watch how you take the cover off when wet, as it can deposit a good flood if you pick it up to quickley! I use a drape and roll metho to avoid wearing the colelcted rainwater! I have noticed that the fabric is more flexible when it is humid, and shrinks and stiffens a bit in very dry weather!

Ian

[ailwyn]

It would be interesting to get more people to feedback on waterproofing/age.

Watch how you take the cover off when wet, as it can deposit a good flood if you pick it up to quickley! I use a drape and roll metho to avoid wearing the colelcted rainwater! I have noticed that the fabric is more flexible when it is humid, and shrinks and stiffens a bit in very dry weather!

I agree, when the water pools it can result in some wet knees if not treated carefully

Ailwyn

[Monty]

Monty, Gazza,

How long have you had your capes?

Mine is only a few weeks old, I wonder whether material/process has changed recently, hence the difference?

Ailwyn

These capes are through AB motorsport, bought mine 2nd hand but i think it`s a couple of years old but wasn`t used much.

I`ve not noticed any water getting in to the car with the cape on, could it be condensation and thats why the windscreen is wet? suppose if the material gets stretched it may leak at the seams

[ailwyn]

I've not noticed any water getting in to the car with the cape on, could it be condensation and thats why the windscreen is wet? suppose if the material gets stretched it may leak at the seams

In my case it can't be explained by either of these, the coverage is too wide for it to be the seams and too much for condensation.

Might just end up being one of the great unexplained mysteries of Elan ownership.... such as why the F*** can't I get some A Post seals, which would probably keep out all of the water

Anyway, back to the original question, I put my cape on with a wet roof, no problems so far, but I do use the car every day. I would not advise leaving it on a wet roof for prolonged periods (more than a day or so) without giving it a chance to air.

Ailwyn

[Gazza]

Had my cape about 3-4 years and I'm pretty sure it didn't let water through in the early days. Now the whole roof gets wet, maybe just old age.

Gazza

[Mikee]

I got mine in Jan and so far it hasnt let in a drop (well enough for me to notice). Forgetting to put it on this Sunday, was a fairly large mistake.

The suction cups have come off a couple of times. Not necessarily a nice addition to the car, driving down the high st with a plastic cup on the passenger side window is not exactly going to bring gasps of excitement and intrigue.

Mike