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“Should I Use a Car Cover in the Garage?”: Indoor Car Storage Tips

By John Funk, August 19, 2020

When leaving your car in the garage for long-term storage, experts recommend keeping it under wraps for added protection. This may get you thinking: Why should I use a car cover in the garage? Wouldn’t that be a little over the top? Let’s try to answer this question and settle this issue once and for all.

Should I Use a Car Cover in the Garage?

The short answer is “yes.” You need the added protection of a soft indoor car cover when storing your precious ride for extended periods, like when you’re going on a lengthy vacation or are being deployed for military service. Likewise, people who drive convertibles and classic cars put their vehicles in long-term storage during the winter. After all, who would drive such a car in that kind of weather?

It’s true that keeping your car in a garage, personal storage unit, or warehouse for long-term storage will provide a certain level of protection, but if you want to be twice as sure that your vehicle will remain free from dust, dirt, debris, and small critters, you need to cover it up with a high-quality Seal-Fit car cover. By choosing not to skimp on this very essential item, you also protect your car, whether it’s an Audi, a Camaro, a Corvette, or something else against accidental scratches, dents, dings, and paint damage.

Choosing a Car Cover for Long-Term Storage: 5 Things to Look For

You might think that any cover will do, since you’ll be keeping your vehicle in a safe, enclosed space anyway, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Next to your home, your car is probably your most valuable possession, so give it the attention and protection it deserves. As a general rule, you need to use a high-quality car cover when storing it for extended periods – even if you intend to store it indoors.

How do you choose a cover that suits your needs? Consider these tips.

  • Choose a lightweight car cover. Since you’re parking your vehicle in a comparatively safe area and will need a cover primarily to ward off dust, condensation, and other minor damages, a cover made from lightweight materials will suffice. A soft, indoor car cover is also easier to fold and store when you no longer need it.
  • Go for a Seal-Fit. Universal fit covers are the most affordable, but they are most likely made from thinner materials (which offer minimal protection) and tend to be too big or too small for your car. On the other hand, custom-fit covers offer the best fit, but they come with a hefty price tag. Go for the sweet spot by choosing a Seal-Fit car cover. This way, you’ll get the best balance between fit, quality, and price.
  • Pick one with multiple layers of protection. The best car covers have a tough outer layer capable of blocking harmful elements, like the sun’s UV rays, acid rain, bird droppings, tree sap, and dust, and a protective, water-resistant middle layer. More importantly, they have a soft inner layer (preferably soft fleece lining) that prevents any external pressure from leaving scratches that may ruin your car’s exterior finish.
  • Make sure it’s durable. No one wants a cover that needs constant replacement, so choose one made with superior workmanship. For best results, pick one that is double-stitched and has ultrasonically welded seams.
  • Choose one that offers a warranty. Don’t let your investment go to waste. Get the most from your hard-earned money by buying a cover that comes with a multi-year warranty. Only a few manufacturers offer such an extensive warranty, so do your research before making a purchase.

Indoor Car Storage Tips: What to Do Before Putting Your Car in Long-Term Storage

After answering one of the most common questions car owners ask when storing their vehicle for the long term, here are some other tips that you may want to keep in mind before hitting the hibernate mode.

  • Clean it inside and out. Give your car a thorough washing to remove all traces of dirt, dust, grime, and other pollutants. A good waxing provides an extra layer of protection to the exterior finish. The interior should be immaculately clean as well, so make sure there is no food or any perishable items left inside.
  • Mind your fluids. Protect your engine by checking your oil fluid level and make sure it is full. Better yet, have an oil change before storing your car, since the contaminants present in used oil can cause significant engine damage, especially when left alone for a long time. Consider filling up the gas tank (or at least have a quarter tank of fuel) as well to prevent condensation from getting in and prevent seals from drying out. Add a fuel stabilizer to ensure even better results.
  • Disconnect the battery. Leaving your battery unattended for extended periods can completely deplete the charge. Worse, it can damage your battery enough to warrant a replacement. Avoid this by disconnecting the negative battery cable. However, if you’re not keen on disconnecting the battery every time you put your car in storage, install a trickle charger to keep it charged and ready to go when you take it out of the storage.
  • Protect your tires. To prevent permanent flat spots, remove the tires and put your car on jack stands or blocks. If the idea doesn’t appeal to you and you prefer to leave them on, consider inflating your tires to the correct pressure.

Long-Term Storage? Keep Your Car Protected with Seal Skin Covers

Seal Skin manufactures 100% waterproof yet extremely breathable Seal-Fit car covers at a great price. We’re extremely confident that you'll be satisfied with our products (we guarantee that they are of extremely high quality and virtually free from any defects!) so we’re offering a full 30-day return and exchange warranty with every purchase, at no additional cost.

If you want to ask some questions about our products, exchange, and refund policies before making a purchase, please feel free to call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Friday at 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST). We will help you find the right cover for your car, so give us a call today!

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