It should always be your top priority to protect your vehicle from the different elements, especially if you have already experienced for yourself the damages of snow, ice, or hail. Getting a car hail protector is imperative if you don’t have a carport, garage, or other similar covered areas that can offer protection for your vehicle.
The best car covers for hail, ice, and snow can offer total protection that can remain intact and withstand even the harshest weather conditions. To ensure that you will be getting a heavy duty and high quality hail protector, it is important to do your own research. As there are a lot of options available, narrowing down your list may be a bit difficult.
Before you go out and buy the first hail protector that you find, stop first and consider a few essential points regarding car hail protectors. The following pointers will give you the assurance that you will be getting the right cover that offers the highest level of protection possible.
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Different Types of Car Hail Protectors
Car hail protectors can come in a range of styles that can affect the specific kind of fit that you can get.
A custom-fit cover
Is possibly the best choice out of all options as it lets you order one that is specifically made for the model and make of your vehicle. A tight fit sitting properly on your car without exposed areas or overhang can provide the best level of protection from the different elements.
A generic fit
Is a cover made big enough to fit different vehicles. In general, these work best for a basic coverage but won’t work well in heavy winds and storms. These are also not recommended for smaller cars or motorcycles since these will be too big.
An inflatable car cover
As its name suggests, blows up to fit your car. These covers can offer excellent coverage although they need constant air flow and electricity for set up. This kind of cover cannot be used away from your garage because of this reason, unless there are several power sources available.
A portable car cover
Is often lightweight and is meant to be taken on and off on a regular basis. Since these are light covers, you might not be able to get total protection against harsh weather elements like ice or hail. In general, these covers work pretty well to offer protection from dust and can also help protect from sun and water.
An umbrella car cover
Is similar to a tent that will go over the vehicle. These often have durable fabric and provide great wind protection. The only drawback is that it doesn’t cover the entire vehicle, which means that it can only give basic protection.
Materials for Car Hail Protectors
A car hail protector is typically made from heavy materials that have specific features that make them more resistant to impact and water. The outer fabrics may even offer protection from the UV rays to ensure that the cover doesn’t break down while it sits out under the sun for a long period of time. These outer materials also often feature waterproofing ability as well.
A soft fleece most often makes up the cover’s inner fabric. It helps in protecting against unwanted scratches on the paint of your car. This inner material may have unique characteristics that can help it breathe properly to prevent buildup of moisture.
Can Car Hail Protectors Damage the Car Paint?
There are some vehicle owners who claim that their car paint was damaged because of the car hail protector they are using. However, the truth is that it still depends a lot on how you use the protector and whether or not you pay attention and follow the instructions for installation. The most common reason why scratches occur is because of placing the protector over an unclean car.
The particles of dust and other contaminants present on the surface of your car will end up scratching the paint once you put something on top on them. This is the reason why you need to wash your vehicle first before you put the protector on. If you plan to store it for a long period of time, it is recommended to pay attention to detailing including ceramic or wax coating.
Aside from that, scratches may also occur if there are grommets in the cover. You have to be extra careful when you use them and ensure that they don’t rub against your car.
One more common culprit is wind. When the wind whips around the protector, this may scratch against your car. Also, once the wind gets under the protector, you can pretty much expect that dust will do as well and as you already know, this may cause damage. Wind protector straps can be used to easily prevent this from happening.
In addition, if moisture finds its way under the car hail protector, this can also cause damage to the point. This may not cause scratches and instead, it can make the paint peel and even cause fading.
Can You Use Car Hail Protectors on a Wet Vehicle?
It is recommended to let your car dry completely first before you put on the vehicle hail protector to prevent damages because of moisture. Aside from the risk of moisture, there are also instances when mold may form on the cover if you use it over a wet vehicle.
Are Car Hail Protectors Washable?
Make sure that you always check and refer to the recommendations of the manufacturer to know how to properly care for your vehicle cover. But, most of these protectors are actually washable. You just need to be extra careful with excessive washing since this may reduce the effectiveness of the car hail cover and make the material weaker.
With the help of a good quality car hail protector, you can be sure that your vehicle will stay safe even during severe weather conditions.
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