What is the thickness of a car cover?
2 Answers
The appropriate thickness for a car cover is 6-8 MIL. Overview: Commonly known as car clothing, a car cover is an outer protective garment made of canvas or other flexible and wear-resistant materials tailored to the car's dimensions. It serves as a protective accessory for vehicles, featuring capabilities to prevent dirt, dust, and water. Its primary function is to protect the car's paint and slow down the aging process of the paint. Additional Information: A car cover consists of three parts: the body, the buckle straps, and the spring hooks. The front buckle strap is designed to be closed, while the rear one is open. It cannot be removed without a specialized key. The main material used in manufacturing car covers is PVC waterproof fabric. High-quality car covers even offer acid resistance and flame retardancy.
In my experience with car covers, thickness is usually measured in mils, typically ranging from 8 to 20 mil. I've chosen car covers several times and found that thinner ones, like 8-10 mil, while lightweight and easy to fold, offer poor protection against scratches and rain. They can easily blow away in windy outdoor conditions and have even scratched my car's paint, which was quite frustrating. Thicker covers, such as 16-20 mil, are more durable and sturdy, but they are heavy, difficult to handle, and take up a lot of trunk space. My recommendation is to choose based on parking conditions: use thinner covers for garages, and opt for 12-16 mil covers for outdoor use as they offer the best balance. Additionally, material is crucial—polyester and polyurethane covers are more breathable, but the thickness must be just right to protect the car body from dust and rain without trapping moisture and damaging the surface. It's also important to clean the cover regularly during car washes to prevent dust buildup from scratching the paint.
