12 replies to this topic

[BazzerSheene]

Hi all. I'm a 2nd time Mini owner. First time was 40+ years ago when I bought probably a Mk1 or 2 mini with a 1,000cc block on an 850 gearbox. Pretty nippy up to 50'ish, not much left after that! Also the passenger used to get wet feet every time I drove in the rain, as there was a large hole in the floor. Happy days...

 

Recently purchased a 1987 Mayfair that has been rebuilt. It all seems reasonable but needs a lot of work to finish it off properly.

 

Quick question. Has anyone found an outdoor, waterproof car cover that actually fits? Bespoke one I bought online is probably bit enough for a 1980's Ford Capri!

 

Thanks in advance

[mab01uk]

Some waterproof car cover materials can damage the paintwork if left in direct contact with bodywork panels for long periods of time, so always keep a check on things, if any marks or paint 'bloom' start to appear that are hard to polish out. A friend of mine had a Halfords branded car cover once that turned out to not be UV resistant and by the time he noticed it was degrading slowly due to sunlight the cars paintwork beneath (a classic Jaguar XJ6) was covered in a fine powder/dust which took many hours to fully remove!

Edited by mab01uk, 17 December 2025 - 09:53 AM.

[mab01uk]

Forgot to say welcome to the Mini Forum! 

[cooperd70]

Welcome 😎

In my experience before I had a garage mine was under a cover for 5+ years and the most important thing is for the cover to be breathable and UV resistant...otherwise you'll have condensation on the inside of the cover in direct contact with the car.
I have noticed that there is a little extra 'room' in the custom covers produced by the companies that specialise in car covers, but most also have two under body straps that you can attach. I always used the four (or five, I can't remember) layer membrane StormForce. They are expensive and do break down from UV attack but seemed the best to me. I think I used to buy a new one every 2 years for so.

Edited by cooperd70, 17 December 2025 - 10:52 AM.

[panky]

I used a Trikehome which is big enough to fit a Mini. Obviously takes up more room than a cover but protected my car for several years.

 

https://www.ebay.co....KIaAq4wEALw_wcB

Edited by panky, 17 December 2025 - 10:57 AM.

[JXC Mini GT]

I used a Trikehome which is big enough to fit a Mini. Obviously takes up more room than a cover but protected my car for several years.

 

https://www.ebay.co....KIaAq4wEALw_wcB

 I use the trike home for my Mini and change the cover every 3 to 4 years, my one minor criticism is that I do get some condensation, but it copes well with all that the British weather throws at it.

[panky]

Mine did too but only in very cold icy weather. Gaffer taping over the frame arches stopped a lot of it and slowed down wear on the cover where they touched.

[BazzerSheene]

Thanks everyone. I love the Trike home but my wife not so keen to have that on our driveway! In the end I've gone for a Halfords cover, 2 year guarantee and had good reviews. I went for a 'Small' size, as recommended by reviews, but to be honest I think the XS would probably be a better fit. But it's not massively oversized, so we'll see what happens when the high winds come! Thanks all

[coopertaz]

coverzone stormforce was a good fit and had one on it, under car port also though, for 3 years before it degraded leaving dust as stated above but on mine was easily washed off. also halfords smallest offering ok but about 18inches too long so need to bunch up at rear, got one of these over car in garage.

If by finishing off you need to do paintwork then do not put under cover until 8 weeks or so afterwards, talking from experience you can get microblistering.

[shera12]

Welcome back to Mini ownership Most of the generic “bespoke” covers are wildly optimistic on sizing. A lot of people have had better luck with Coverzone or Specialised Covers made specifically for classic Minis, they tend to fit properly without flapping. Worth avoiding cheap universal ones as they’re usually more trouble than they’re worth.

[stuart bowes]

not helpful to you but I had to tie back the sides of my gazebo recently due to high winds, instead of leaving the car exposed I dug my old volvo v70 car cover out from the shed and used a couple of ratchet straps to make sure it stayed on .  never has the mini felt so small    

 

I did have a cheapy mini cover at one point but with all the cutting and welding and sharp edges it ended up getting all torn and got junked (that is why we got a cheap one)

Edited by stuart bowes, 18 December 2025 - 09:41 AM.

[mini-mad-mark]

I've been using the Halfords XS and they seem OK - nice fit on an estate and slightly big on a saloon - I was using Stormforce but as mentioned they only last about two years before they turn to dust and they were around 130 quid I think whereas the Halfords ones are only about 55 IIRC and I've had these about three years now but the first one is starting to go a bit weak with some evidence of starting to go through so one new one in order now I think. With three minis I guess I can replace one each year without breaking the bank 

[coopertaz]

just looking to renew my stormforce cover, i have a bodykit so need the lamm convertible one. they have gone up now at £246 will stick with halfords xs for now