"Shower Proofing" a fabric dust cover for a car

[Ross365]

My old Rover 600 isn’t being used much and is kept under carport covered by a soft fabric dust sheet. Just occasionally, when the weather is just right, a bit of rain may get on to the exposed side.

I guess there are aerosol sprays which I could use, not trying to make it not really water proof, but just shower resistant, but I’ve never used such a product. Could any one recommend something suitable?
Thanks.

 

[MattF]

Lanolin.

 

[brightspark]

used to be fabsill silicone spray for waterproofing tents probably other makes as well

 

[bourbon]

| Specialised Covers, Put one over the top of the fleece one. My cousins do this with their classic cars, And ,boy, They are anal about the tiniest blemish

 

[dobbslc]

I've used this stuff on my tent and it is good.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjz0P2um9fzAhUDt3cKHbCLAZsYABAcGgJlZg&ae=2&sig=AOD64_0cD61B0y-qA6V1NTKMnaYbd_MXyg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwi8p_Wum9fzAhVFDuwKHYazDDAQwg96BAgBED0&adurl=

Edit : looks like the name is different as I don't remember the solar bit!

 

[Barking Mat]

What about that spray stuff you get for tents and boots ? Nik wax ?

 

[Ross365]

Thanks for those suggestions; I'll investigate.

 

[graffian]

I always paint land rover tilts with thompson water seal.

 

[gaz1]

if you make it waterproof and its touching the vehicle it will also trap any water on the car as well

alternative option is to use temporary half cover so most of the water drops down before it reaches the car

 

[Ross365]

if you make it waterproof and its touching the vehicle it will also trap any water on the car as well

alternative option is to use temporary half cover so most of the water drops down before it reaches the car

I think I only need to treat the lower area of the outer side, but yes, it's an idea which is not perfect.

 

[Turbo]

What about making up a solution of unibond/pva & spray it on. Some folk recon the wash in stuff you get for proofing gortex jackets is just very expensive pva glue!

 

[Ross365]

What about making up a solution of unibond/pva & spray it on. Some folk recon the wash in stuff you get for proofing gortex jackets is just very expensive pva glue!

That's an interesting idea, if only for the fact that there's PVA in garage. I suspect that if I treat the lowest 12 inches is would eliminate the problem most of the time.

 

[Agroshield]

What about making up a solution of unibond/pva & spray it on. Some folk recon the wash in stuff you get for proofing gortex jackets is just very expensive pva glue!

AIUI, PVA is not water resistant. The alternative, SBR, is waterproof and looks almost identical (white, milky liquid) so the two are easily mistaken for each other. So maybe do a little investigation before diving in.

The outer packaging for the soap tablets that go in the washing machine is made from PVA. The plastic label I found in my undies said C&A on it, not Ariel.

 

[minimutly]

AIUI, PVA is not water resistant. The alternative, SBR, is waterproof and looks almost identical (white, milky liquid) so the two are easily mistaken for each other. So maybe do a little investigation before diving in.

The outer packaging for the soap tablets that go in the washing machine is made from PVA. The plastic label I found in my undies said C&A on it, not Ariel.

Oh, undies eh? Is that just on weekends, or all week?

 

[mike os]

My concern would be if its water resistant it will not dry out as quick if anything gets behind... waterproof works both ways , probably better to have a second waterproof layer over the exposed area

 

[bricol]

I wouldn't have a cover on at all - the wind blowing it around, condensation trapped under it - all damaging to the paint and metal under it.

My Grandads Allegro lived under car port its entire life - stood for a couple of years when he had medical issues - it was never polished, hardly ever washed - and looked about as good when he sold it after owning it 15 yrs as when he bought it - and I reckon that's entirely due to the car port keeping the direct weather off, and the wind blowing through it dried it off if it did get wet.

 

[Gareth J]

If the car's touching the cover u fear it'll wick through whatever you do. Like a tent does if you leave stuff touching the walls.

An alternative might be a stretched "shade sail" type thing to deflect the weather front whatever side.

 

[Ross365]

The car gets very dusty if left under the car port for any length of time with out a cover (it's very dark blue, so it really shows). This summer has been the first time I've put the dust cover over it. It rained pretty heavily yesterday, but the cover remained perfectly dry, even at the very bottom. It's probably getting wet only when there's a strong wind gusting in just the right direction. It has occurred to me that dust will be less of a problem during the winter, so it might be best just to take the cover off completely?

 

[Edward Teach]

Thompsons Water Seal

 

[james butler]

couldnt you staple some tarpauling to the sides of the car port?