Can A Car Cover Damage The Paint?

There are several potential issues that could lead to a car cover scratching your paintwork. How do car covers scratch paint? Mainly due to improper use, in the following ways:

• Moisture retention: If you apply a car cover to a wet car, moisture becomes trapped underneath the cover. Over time, this can lead to the development of water spots and mildew. Eventually, such conditions can cause fading and other paint damage to the car's surface.
• Trapped debris: If the car cover is unclean or if there is dirt and debris on the car's surface, these particles can become trapped between the cover and the car's body. As the cover moves over the car's surface, this debris can cause scratches or swirl marks on the paintwork.
• Abrasive materials: A no-scratch car cover, like the ones we sell, typically features a soft material on the inside that won't scratch your paint. However, some car covers may have abrasive materials on the inside that can cause micro-scratches when moved along the car's surfaces.

So yes, a car cover can damage the paint of your car. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. By taking the right precautions and applying and removing your cover with care, it will offer all the protection with none of the risk of scratching. We provide full guidance on this with our car covers so you are always kept informed of best practices.

As mentioned, there are several ways a car cover can damage or scratch your paint if you do not take the necessary care when applying them. Here are the ways different errors can lead to scratches on your paintwork.

Dirt And Debris

If particles of dirt or debris are trapped on the underside of the car cover or on the surfaces of your car, they can become problematic. When the cover is dragged along the car's surfaces, these particles can scrape the paintwork. If any of these particles are hard or sharp enough, they may leave scratches or swirl marks on the paint.

Ensuring a clean surface and a car cover with a gentle interior can help prevent this issue.

Wrong Size

If your car cover is not the correct fit for your vehicle, there may be loose sections that flap around when the wind picks up. This constant movement causes friction against the paint, which is likely to result in scratches over time. This is particularly true if the material on the underside of the cover is hard or abrasive.

We sell a wide range of universal- and custom-fit car covers designed to ensure you get the perfect fit for your vehicle. We can also advise on the most appropriate cover for your car.

Incorrect Installation

Similar to the size issue, if you fail to install your car cover correctly, you could be left with loose sections that flap in the wind. You may even end up with straps and buckles that come loose and blow around. The risk here could be scratches or even dings if the buckle is blown against the car.

Our car covers come with robust features to secure them to cars. You can also order from our range of accessories to add more security to your car covers, and read our guide on how to install a car cover to protect against wind.

Low-Quality Materials

Inferior-quality materials can be rough and abrasive when they crease. If you want a car cover that doesn’t scratch, you need one that is made from high-quality materials. A paint-friendly car cover is softer on the inside, offering protection for your paintwork even if the fabric rubs on the car’s surfaces.

Your best bet if you are concerned about protecting your paintwork is to look at our range of high-quality, paint-friendly car covers. These have soft, non-abrasive fabrics on the underside that are optimized for protecting your paintwork from scratches.

It’s also important to select a car cover that is the right fit for your vehicle. Explore our range of sizes and fits carefully to find the perfect match for your car. You must also install it correctly, with all the necessary attachments to secure it firmly so that the cover doesn’t move or flap in the wind. We can advise on these things, and we provide detailed guidance on installing and removing your car cover the correct way.

Contact us or read our customer reviews to learn more about the excellence of our service. We make every effort to ensure you have the best possible experience with our car covers.

As mentioned, we offer detailed guidance on best practices for adding and removing car covers, which goes a long way in ensuring your paint is never damaged. Here are some additional tips to ensure you have the best car cover that will not scratch the paint and to use it correctly.

Clean Your Dirty Car Before Putting A Car Cover

If you plan to apply a car cover for an extended period, it's advisable to clean your car first to remove any dirt or debris from the surface. This prevents potential scratches when the car cover rubs against the car. If you wash your car, be sure to dry it thoroughly before applying the cover.

It's also a good idea to wash the car cover periodically. The underside of the cover may accumulate dirt or debris, so washing and drying it can ensure complete protection for your car.

Do Not Take It On And Off Again And Again: This Increases The Risk Of Scratching

If you use your car regularly, consider covering it only during periods of non-use. Frequent application and removal of the car cover can increase the risk of paint damage. The more the cover rubs against the paint, the higher the chances of potential harm.

Additionally, if you use the car cover daily, it might be more challenging to maintain regular car washing and other protective practices.

Choose The Right Material And Fit To Avoid Paint Damage

If you want the best car cover that will not scratch the paint, you should avoid certain materials. Rough, abrasive materials come with a greater risk of scratching your paintwork. These include low-quality grades of:

• Polyester
• Neylon
• Canvas

We sell high-quality variants of some of these materials, which can still offer good paint protection. However, if you want to be as cautious as possible, it's best to avoid those materials altogether. Instead, opt for soft, non-abrasive materials like cotton, microfiber, satin, polyester or flannel.

Similarly, the fit is important. Take the time to explore the universal fits we offer or consider a custom fit for maximum protection for your vehicle. The right fit will ensure perfect coverage of all the contours of your car, minimizing the risk of rubbing and scratching.

Use Car Covers With Anti-Scratch Inside.

Our anti-scratch car covers feature a specially-developed layer on the underside to protect against scratching. This protective lining is made from soft, non-abrasive material that offers a gentle touch for your paintwork, minimizing the risk of any damage.

Choose car covers with this layer to safeguard your paint and enjoy comprehensive protection against external elements.

Waxing 

When you have your car waxed, a protective layer is applied on top of the paint, enhancing the overall appearance with a shiny finish. This additional layer provides extra protection against potential damage from external elements, making the paintwork more resilient. As a result, the risk of damage from scraping or contact with a car cover is reduced. Additionally, the wax creates a smooth surface, minimizing friction when moving the car cover over the vehicle, and it adds:

• Water repellency
• Resistance to dust and debris

Overall, waxing a car is a great way to enhance its protection against paintwork damage while also improving the vehicle's overall aesthetics.

Correct Installation

Always follow the instructions provided to ensure you install your car cover correctly. Car covers can scratch paintwork most often when they are not applied in the correct way.

Using the wrong installation method could cause excessive rubbing and scraping against the paintwork. Moreover, if the cover is not positioned correctly, it will be more likely to come loose and flap around in the wind. All of this adds up to an increased risk of paint damage, so it is vital to install your car cover properly.

If you find that your car cover has caused some scratching on your paintwork, all is not lost. There are some things you can try to restore the paintwork to its former glory before resorting to having it repainted.

Waxing/Buffing

If you have minor scratching on the paintwork from your car cover, waxing and buffing may be helpful. The composition of wax can make it serve as a temporary fill for small scratches. This makes them less noticeable and also ensures that the metal underneath is not exposed.

Other benefits of doing this include:

• Restoring shine: Waxing and buffing makes the paint look shiny and new, with a glossy shine that reduces the visibility of micro-scratches.
• Extra protection: As mentioned, the wax creates an additional protective layer on the paint. This will help reduce the risk of further scratching.

Note, however, that waxing and buffing are only helpful with very minor scratches. Deeper scratches might require scratch removal work or even professional paint repair to address. 

Using Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a common DIY hack for treating minor scratches on a car’s paintwork. By gently rubbing the toothpaste on the affected area, you may be able to polish it and smooth out the scratched surface if it is a very light scratch.

This works because toothpaste contains mild abrasive particles for cleaning teeth enamel. These function as a polishing compound on your car’s paintwork, which may be enough to treat mild surface scratches effectively.

Using A Scratch Removal

Scratch removal products are worth considering for slightly more serious scratches. While their capabilities are limited, they may provide assistance if the above methods didn't work. Always read the instructions thoroughly, but the process works something like this:

1. Clean the affected area with soap and water
2. Make sure it is completely dried
3. Shake the product
4. Apply the scratch removal product using a soft foam applicator pad or microfiber cloth
5. Buff the area gently until the scratch surface appears smooth

These are best for shallow scratches that haven’t penetrated through to the metal underneath. For deeper scratches, it is likely to be necessary to seek professional assistance for the repairs.

If you want a paint-friendly car cover, consider the following factors:

• Opt for high-quality materials
• Ensure you get the right fit for your car
• Look for anti-scratch layers inside the cover
• Breathability can help reduce moisture accumulation
• Covers that are lightweight and easy to install may be better
• Look for reviews and recommendations

Remember, it is important to always follow the guidance provided on car cover usage. And you must maintain your car cover properly to keep it in top condition and prevent damage.

Are There Any Things Such As Anti-Scratch Car Covers?

We sell anti-scratch car covers in our catalog. To qualify for this, a car cover needs to be optimized to have minimal risk of scratching the car underneath. This means:

• Made from high-quality materials
• Being lightweight and easy to install
• Including an anti-scratch layer on the inside of the cover

If you want the best car cover that will not scratch paint, we encourage you to look at customer reviews for our covers. They are designed and manufactured with care to offer maximum protection against paint damage whilst providing a defensive layer against external threats.