There are countless reasons why you should take pride in your MX-5. It’s fast and fun, and doesn’t cost the earth to maintain and keep clean. Regular detailing isn’t high on all owners’ priority lists, especially in cars that aren’t daily drivers. However, maintaining your car spotless on the inside and outside is not only about aesthetics. There’s an element of safety involved, keeping debris, dust, and rocks out of the way, and conserving the pristine condition of the paintwork, like the first day you got it. There’ll be no risk of developing rust pockets, or nasties like mould having a say in your health.
Car cleaning products range from ordinary soaps or specialised car wash, degreasers, polishes, windshield glass cleaners, waxes, wheel care sprays and gels, leather care, cloth seat cleaners, and the list goes on. Most drivers will have these at home. But what most Miata owners don’t think about is the benefits of purchasing MX-5 car covers. And these do more than just keep away birds that also take a liking to your car in their own special way.
Car Covers – Why You Need (at Least) One
The benefits of car covers can’t be denied. They’ll protect your beloved MX5 in countless situations. From notoriously bad British weather, trees, curious birds, pets, kids, neighbours, sun and heat damage and theft. Yes, car covers are a put-off for those with sticky fingers. Depending on the type of cover you get for your Miata, and there are dozens of different MX-5 car covers, the level of protection against all these, and other nasties, varies.
Car Cover Types
Indoor vs. Outdoor Car Covers
First, you need to assess your protection needs. This depends on where you keep your car. Indoor car covers aren’t the same as those that are meant to protect your ride if you mostly keep it parked outside. But despite what most people think, there are things that can also damage a garaged car. Dust is the main culprit in poorly-maintained garages and moisture is not far behind. In addition in smaller areas, and where there’s a lot of foot traffic, passersby can unintentionally scratch the paintwork. Additionally, a cluttered space means heavy and sharp items also pose a risk, if minimal.
Indoor covers are generally lighter, as they’re meant to be put on and taken off more regularly. They’re also breathable, to prevent condensation, heat, and mildew buildup, and also softer and thinner than outdoor covers.
Outdoor covers are entirely another story. They’re made to be water and weatherproof, so resist water, UV rays, dust, and debris better. and are typically heavier, consisting of multiple layers. There’s a level of breathability to them, so any water or moisture trapped underneath soon evaporates and won’t damage paint, seals, or metal. And keeping out the fallout from bad weather or autumn playfulness, like flying branches or falling leaves and twigs helps with the Achilles heel in soft-top MIatas, clogging of drain holes.
But the main reason you’d want an outdoor car cover is to protect from the sun and resulting heat. The paint stays unscathed, and there’ll be no fading to the cloth on the seats or cracks in the dash. Not to mention the damage from excessive heat in a car parked for longer periods.
Universal vs Custom-Fit Covers
Universal covers are just that. They’re designed to fit a range of different vehicles. And as such, they might not be the right fit for something as small as the MX-5. They’ll be loose around the front and rear panels, not to mention around the roof. Any stronger gusts will see your car cover flying off into the distance. But for temporary use, and if you want to save some cash, this might be all you need.
Custom-fit covers are made to hug the contours of the MX-5. They take into account all the quirkiness of the MX-5 and fit like a glove. There are also covers that go better with the smooth curves of earlier Miata models, or the sharper lines in the NC and ND variants. These take into account the side mirror designs, the somewhat higher front grilles in earlier models, and the sloping rear ends in later versions.
Features like mirror pockets integrated vents and number plate windows, and elasticated bottoms allow for a clean and snug fit. The tight fit though may need more time to get on or off if you’re worried about damage to the paint, despite most covers having a softer inner lining. They will however hold better in wind, and provide more protection from unexpected dings. The only con is that custom covers cost a bit more, but you do have the choice of different colours.
Fabrics – Synthetics or Cotton?
Cotton is generally reserved for indoor covers, as it doesn’t have the UV resistance and weatherproofing of synthetic fibres. The advantage though is that it comes in as lighter, despite the softer scratch-resistant inner lining.
Solution-dyed polyesters and acrylic microfibres work better against rain, dust, and mould, and won’t fade or clump under hotter temperatures. To offer this kind of protection, synthetics are woven into several layers ( with softer polypropylene or nylon underneath), adding some heft needed against stronger winds.
Caring for Car Covers
Like cars, covers also need to be cleaned regularly. Dirt build-up is a given on any cover that has been on for longer, and this can affect water and UV resistance, as well as increased moisture due to lower breathability. Adhere to cleaning instructions and common sense. Generally, cotton car covers can be machine-washed and dried in dryers, but there’s more care needed for synthetics if you want them to last longer.
Choosing a Car Cover for Your Miata
Car covers won’t dent your wallet, no matter which type you go for. As mentioned, universal covers are the cheapest, but won’t offer the same protection or longevity as a custom MX-5 cover that is a few pounds more. What is more important is choosing between an indoor or outdoor cover, and this depends on how you use your car.
Besides this, caring for your Miata entails a range of other products, like drain hole cleaners, cleaning and care kits for soft top roofs, leather or cloth seat cleaners and dyes, and universal products that you can find in stores specialising in car detailing or any MX-5 accessories retailer.
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