Protecting the Interior and Exterior

[kulfyur]

Hey guys, with the date for the 2015 mustangs to hit dealer parking lots fast approaching, I'm trying to prepare for my baby and make sure it has all the clothes it needs upon arrival. It that being said, I'm looking to purchase covers for both the exterior and interior.

1.) I would like to clear wrap the car very soon after I take order, but until this I would still like to protect the car's paint as much as possible. So first question is has any one found any masks/bras for the car yet? I imagine these would only come in a custom fit, but if there is a universal/one-size-fits-most I'm open to that too especially since it will on be temporary.

2.) I would like to protect it from weathering and the careless and inconsiderate individuals of parking lots as much as possible. So I need an outdoor car cover. I would like this to be a high quality custom fit cover in the end, but like the mask I don't expect it will be available just yet as a custom fit. So I'm open to any suggestion for a good quality car cover with a lined inside to protect the car while I wait for the custom fit covers.

3.) Finally there is the interior. Seat covers. Again, I would like custom fit for these, too, yet I don't expect these to be available either. But if you already know of some that are custom fit and high-quality I would appreciate it if you point me in their direction.

In all of these I'm would appreciate any information you guys can give me. Especially things like brand names and models of each item.

I throw myself on the mercy of your extensive enthusiast knowledge. Please help me! :hail:

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[MikeAZ]

...
So first question is has any one found any masks/bras for the car yet? I imagine these would only come in a custom fit, but if there is a universal/one-size-fits-most I'm open to that too especially since it will on be temporary.

Be very careful with this. The way these normally attach, even if custom made, will cause more damage than they protect if they are not installed properly (very snug with no play). My advice would be to avoid them completely.

The wraps are a better solution, but those wear, deteriorate, and discolor over the years. If you do partial wraps, wax and dirt will eventually invade the edges.

...
I need an outdoor car cover. I would like this to be a high quality custom fit cover in the end, but like the mask I don't expect it will be available just yet as a custom fit. So I'm open to any suggestion for a good quality car cover with a lined inside to protect the car while I wait for the custom fit covers.

These tend to get "liberated" so you need to find one that provides a locking mechanism. Be aware of how the lock attaches to the cover and where cables may rub on the car (wind will cause paint damage if the cable touches it). Make sure the lock cable cannot be easily severed and examine the connection points for the cable to see if they can easily be defeated with cutting shears.

...
Seat covers.

I've never found any that stay in place during "enthusiastic" driving.

 

[derieuz]

Seat covers arent necessary, as long as you wash and condition the leather once a month or so, youll keep the leather moisturized and soft without worrying about cracking.

Exterior, I would have a professional opticoat it, this is what i am doing

car covers are always nice when you store it, throw that in there, consider it protected for life as long as you hand wash it with care and be careful now to "dry" the car with a rag with rocks and contaminants in it

 

[kulfyur]

The wraps are a better solution, but those wear, deteriorate, and discolor over the years. If you do partial wraps, wax and dirt will eventually invade the edges.

I guess I'll fall back to the painter's tape idea that I've been seeing others post about.

These tend to get "liberated" so you need to find one that provides a locking mechanism. Be aware of how the lock attaches to the cover and where cables may rub on the car (wind will cause paint damage if the cable touches it). Make sure the lock cable cannot be easily severed and examine the connection points for the cable to see if they can easily be defeated with cutting shears.

Thanks

I've never found any that stay in place during "enthusiastic" driving.

Right, but in the mean time...(this is more for careless passengers than it is for me.:tsk

 

[DivineStrike]

Aside from maybe doing the 3m wrap on the exterior and car cover for long term storage, everything else is a little redundant. Just drive the thing, enjoy it and give it a weekly wash interior and exterior. A neighbor of mine has a 2007 Silverado that is completely immaculate and he has done nothing to that thing but give it a lot of attention washing it about once a week maybe missing a week here and there. Maybe a little longer in the colder months. Not entirely sure but he has done nothing else as far as adding protectors or seat covers. The truck still looks new and has like 80-100k. So again just drive it and enjoy it, then clean it afterwards Personally I will probably do the 3m wrap to the hood and bumper as my last car got torn up by rocks other than that I won't be worrying about it, but definitely no mask or bra

 

[Todd15Fastback]

I am curious about seat cover as well. I am getting the leather Recaro's. I do CrossFit and play tennis a couple times a week and in the summer and warmer days, I sweat like a stuck pig at a BBQ. I want to try and keep the seats as perfect as possible. I WFH and don't drive but 6-7k miles a year.

I will see what is out there and see if they are worth it. If not, then I will take the approach of just conditioning things on a more frequent basis.

 

[kulfyur]

Aside from maybe doing the 3m wrap on the exterior and car cover for long term storage, everything else is a little redundant. Just drive the thing, enjoy it and give it a weekly wash interior and exterior. A neighbor of mine has a 2007 Silverado that is completely immaculate and he has done nothing to that thing but give it a lot of attention washing it about once a week maybe missing a week here and there. Maybe a little longer in the colder months. Not entirely sure but he has done nothing else as far as adding protectors or seat covers. The truck still looks new and has like 80-100k. So again just drive it and enjoy it, then clean it afterwards Personally I will probably do the 3m wrap to the hood and bumper as my last car got torn up by rocks other than that I won't be worrying about it, but definitely no mask or bra

I wish I could. But like I say, some people aren't considerate of other people's stuff and accidents happen. Moreover, my job seldom allows me to go home with enough time or energy to do an entire exterior and interior cleaning weekly. (12-on 2-off 10hrs minimum) Heck I'm lucky to get once a month tbh. So though I understand it's redundant, my efforts here are to minimize the time and effort required to clean the car while still keeping it in good shape.

 

[DivineStrike]

Ok well how long do you plan on keeping the car, do you normally trade up every couple of years, and how many miles do you normally put on a car? I personally am just trying to help you not waste money when it's not needed. As well as be a man of reason. I'm totally with you on not washing the car that much, I barely make it a once every other month if i'm lucky. But that's not really due to being too busy, I just don't feel the need to that often, Although I will probably take care of this car much better as I plan on keeping it a long time. Which is why I am also considering the partial 3m wrap and more frequent washes.

I have nothing against an exterior wrap like the 3m and is your best option imo. But if you only keep your cars for a couple years and you can be diligent with putting a cover on your car every day that might be your best fiscal option. but then again constant removing and installing a cover causes wear. Again if you plan on keeping it a couple years only a wash once a month and maybe seat covers will be your best idea to keep it in good shape.

A full wrap will cost you a lot of money and I don't forsee you putting on the cover every time you go into a grocery store or any other small errand and that is where you are more likely to get dings and such. Those small dings and such that you are worried about in a parking lot are easily repaired for much cheaper than the wrap. as well as on trade in you wouldn't recoup the cost of the 3m wrap vs how little a minor blemish would hinder your trade in value.

Now if you are planning on keeping it for 3 or more years then the full wrap could be worth it, especially if you put on a lot of miles. If you don't put on a lot of miles then see above. Either way best of luck, I don't think there are really any options available right now beyond what you would find at autozone or the like. Seat covers can definitely still be worth it though if that's your thing and you have kids and animals, most aren't too terribly expensive but I won't be putting them in my car. When I get a dog I will most likely put a blanket in the back seat, although a cheap seat cover for the passenger seat wouldn't be bad temporary option for when your carrying an animal...hmm.

 

[bechtner]

This got me thinking... Can someone a bit more knowledgeable than I write up a good "everyman's" appearance maintenance list? E.g. "wash and wax at least every other week, condition the seats with such and such once a month, apply thisthing to the convertible top every other week, etc."

I'd want to make sure I keep the car looking great between my semi-annual planned detailings, and I mostly trust people here more than some guy on about.com.

 

[kulfyur]

Ok well how long do you plan on keeping the car, do you normally trade up every couple of years, and how many miles do you normally put on a car? I personally am just trying to help you not waste money when it's not needed. As well as be a man of reason. I'm totally with you on not washing the car that much, I barely make it a once every other month if i'm lucky. But that's not really due to being too busy, I just don't feel the need to that often, Although I will probably take care of this car much better as I plan on keeping it a long time. Which is why I am also considering the partial 3m wrap and more frequent washes.

I have nothing against an exterior wrap like the 3m and is your best option imo. But if you only keep your cars for a couple years and you can be diligent with putting a cover on your car every day that might be your best fiscal option. but then again constant removing and installing a cover causes wear. Again if you plan on keeping it a couple years only a wash once a month and maybe seat covers will be your best idea to keep it in good shape.

A full wrap will cost you a lot of money and I don't forsee you putting on the cover every time you go into a grocery store or any other small errand and that is where you are more likely to get dings and such. Those small dings and such that you are worried about in a parking lot are easily repaired for much cheaper than the wrap. as well as on trade in you wouldn't recoup the cost of the 3m wrap vs how little a minor blemish would hinder your trade in value.

Now if you are planning on keeping it for 3 or more years then the full wrap could be worth it, especially if you put on a lot of miles. If you don't put on a lot of miles then see above. Either way best of luck, I don't think there are really any options available right now beyond what you would find at autozone or the like. Seat covers can definitely still be worth it though if that's your thing and you have kids and animals, most aren't too terribly expensive but I won't be putting them in my car. When I get a dog I will most likely put a blanket in the back seat, although a cheap seat cover for the passenger seat wouldn't be bad temporary option for when your carrying an animal...hmm.

Honestly I hope to keep the car until my son comes of an age where I can give it to him (so ~20 years give or take). For now it will be my only transportation, and my trend seems to be A LOT of miles. (40k miles in the last 2 years). All in all i hope to keep this car for a long time as a gift to myself.

But I hope my replies didn't come off as abrasive or hostile. I really do appreciate your input and when I read them I do take the time to try to understand what is being posted. But, should I live long enough, this turning point of a car will become some thing special in the same way as the fox body, and the '64. It will become a fossil/dinosaur/antique over the next few years and I'd love to make this car a family Heirloom :love: (ok you can laugh now:lol

 

[DivineStrike]

Ok, cool. I only asked because I saw you had a pretty new mustang already. It seems a lot of people on here buy new every couple of years, which is crazy imo.

And in that case, just keeping it clean until you get the full boy wrap will probably be your best bet. And if your worried about dings and such at work get a soft cover with some cushion or thin foam, if they make such a thing. Research is always key. I'm sure there are plenty of people with your train of thought on this around the web. Any large forum with an interior care or car care section will be able to help alot, and you can get lots of different opinions on the matter.

Either way a full wrap will definitely be worth your while imo, I don't think very many people have any bad experiences with a full wrap. You'd have to google around and see if there are any negatives with the full wrap besides cost. and get a professional detail done on the car from someone you trust before ya get the wrap.

And no worries, you weren't coming off hostile or abrasive Thanks for taking the time to read my input.

 

[DivineStrike]

For your car cover take a look here

http://www.cjponyparts.com/2015-mustang-parts/c/9_1001_54/

 

[kulfyur]

Yea I looked at those. But they are way over priced and don't appear to give the protection I had hoped for at that price. I'd buy a non-custom, padded, outdoor, car cover before that lol.

 

[DivineStrike]

Lol yea I've never looked into car covers before so I wouldn't know. Just an option out there and you asked, So i posted it haha

 

[Magnetic15]

I just ordered a cover from sealskincovers.com. I originally did not see one available for the 2015 so I started a chat session on the site and they directed me to it. I got the top of the line 5L cover which means 5 layers. $159 out the door, free shipping. It is on sale until September 1. Talk to Warren.

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