It costs around $135 at Alibaba.
I only have 3rd party insurance.
Just trying to minimize cost of repair.
What do you think, would you consider one or won't be bothered at all?
cheers
Is It Worth Buying a Fabric Car Cover for Hail on an Older Car?
[Deactivated] on 24/03/2022 - 16:59
closed Comments
yeah, that's why I'm thinking of fabric cover instead…
It will double the value of a 2012 PowerShift Focus.
Seems like a good investment.
Same shit
Different year
Are you talking about an actual hail cover with padding or just a fabric dust cover because I don't see what protection 0.5mm of fabric could offer from hail.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/234435632177?chn=ps&_ul=AU&norov…
something like that, but cheaper in Alibaba
OK, TBH I'm skeptical that even hail blankets would really do anything. For smaller than pea size, sure. Anything bigger probably not. Most seem to have 2mm padding which just isn't enough IMO. Some potentially cheap suggestions to DIY. Get a regular car dust cover that's slightly oversized. Buy those cheap foam camping mats (hit up cash converters, vinnies etc). Cut into panels and tape together with duct tape (if done with some thought you could even make it foldable for storage). Couple of layers of that placed on the car and the dust cover over it to hold it in place would be more effective. Similarly if not the foam mats a couple of old doonahs if you can find them cheap enough but you'll likely want a waterproof cover to hold them in place and stop them getting wet and losing their loft.
You want polystyrene ones, rather than feathers. Even then they might be hard to get dry in winter.
Yeah, i don't think a fabric cover is going to cover you.
Hail is pretty powerful, fabric covers are largely just for sun and rain protection.
Hail would need pieces of cardboard or something with structure in between.
Yeah, i don't think a fabric cover is going to cover you.
Are you calling OP fat?
How well would fabric prevent hail damage?
The companies selling hail protection covers say you need two layers of fabric - an outer durable one and and an inner soft layer to protect the paint - with a thick cushioning layer between them. And it sounds plausible that a layer of fabric, or even two, isn't going to protect against something that can dent metal panels. Imagine standing in hail big enough to damage a car. Would your clothes protect you?
How big would a proper cover be, it sounds like it would take up your whole boot space if there's a thick outer layer, thin inner layer, and a middle layer that is like bubble wrap or whatever.
Keep the bubble wrap from your online purchases and tape them together and then in layers. Free apart from effort and basic supplies.
great idea mate
I would put them under a dust cover to keep them on the car.
your link doesn't work…
Works for me
It's $99.99
ah yeah it works now, i initially saw this
ALDI Catalogue valid 24 Dec - 30 Dec 2019 - page 10 - NO LONGER VALID *
As a matter of interest. What security is there to stop people stealing this? I, suppose, you might be OK if it is in your driveway but in the street?
true, i'm just off-street parking…
You would only use it when there is a storm and a chance of hail.
The problem is storms can come in quickly. However, you I’ll, also, have to deal with the issue of being out and about when the storm hits.
Do you live in an area that gets frequent hailstorms? We get countless warnings here, but they seem to be crying wolf. Sure, it’s a bit hit and miss, but it’s still pretty rare. It might work out cheaper to keep an eye on the radar and go get fuel or milk and park undercover if there’s a storm headed your way.
How do you get Hailstorm warnings?
BOM warnings, think they push emails etc out. An app that does emergency warnings (started as fires near me and is something else now) and from insurance company by text.
Just put blankets or doonas on your car when hail is coming, that's what I've seen people do anyway.
You, probably, need to find a way to tie them down.
It usual rains before it hails so being wet they should stick down
Yeah but squally blowy weather might skitter it off.
@try2bhelpful: now that you mention it, I have never noticed high winds with hail. Not saying it doesnt happen in your area but a wet blanket is pretty hard to move as its not only the weight but it has a suction effect.
No.
/threadDon’t bother - these are annoying to put on and take off every day. As others have suggested, find something heavy duty like a blanket to cover the car on those days where you’re at higher risk. Otherwise, invest in a carport.
…or old towels.
Not really…at the moment better to make sure you have a good petrol cap lock as filling your car probably doubles the value.
I’m guessing it’s your first car? Don’t worry so much unless you think it is a classic/ cult / collectors car - in which case get a garage for it because leaving it out in the sun is guaranteed to damage to the paint and interior over time.
Only you can answer that, as we don't know what is worth to you.
The Aldi one looks like the right type of thing, 5mm thick. Comes with a storage bag, bet it is big to store. So you go out and don’t take it because you need the boot space? I’d probably use it once and then not bother - like my monster BBQ cover I finally threw out. I recall I did once own a car cover that I didn’t use. YMMV.
This is Oz Bargain.
Just use an old King or Queen Size blanket over your car when it hails. It doesn't hail THAT often.cheers
How often is there a hail storm and enough to worry about. the cover will only last a few years so their is a cost .
you said the car is old… so really who gives a £$%^. don't tell me you are washing it every dayThe car is 2015, was just thinking of it being written off when hailstorm hits, I only have 3rd party insurance, but yeah, I'll risk it.
Why not get comprehensive insurance? Are you under 25?
2015 isn’t an ‘older car’ is it?
not for me :)
@[Deactivated]: Me neither. I live in Fitzroy, the car barely makes it out of the garage. Can’t justify an upgrade.
3rd party doesn't cover hail damage I think