Please explain how a breathable car cover works ? Thick cont

[sternal]

I purchased a Just Kampers breathable cover for my VW van to keep the elements off it this winter.

This morning I thought id check and see if the van was dry underneath after rain in the night, whilst it wasn't sopping wet it wasn't dry either, I phoned up JK and explained to them my story, the reply was yes its breathable it lets moisture in then lets it out again ! So I asked how would this work when its freezing outside etc... apparently
it will and my cover is working as it should...

Now am I being thick cos I thought it would keep the rain out and let any moisture out...


please explain..

[itchyfeet]

Yes keeps most of the rain out so if you have leaky windows it will help but being slightly posous to let moisture out some will get in
if you had a sealed cover you would get moisure in the air being trapped

actually if you have sealed windows and dont park under trees its best without a cover as it woll dry quicker

it will also freeze to the van in winter

[sternal]

ah okay thanks if only my gararge was 15 cm higher it would fit...let down the tyres...

[R0B]

A good wax is far better than any cover.

[sternal]

will wicki re the wax

cheers...

[putney]

I use these covers for my minis they work well although they are in a garage

[R0B]

This guy could help with wax.http://www.bearswaxfactory.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

10% off when discount code Club8090 entered at checkout.

[Cableguy]

My breathable cycling waterproofs are bone dry on the inside unless I've been caning it, then they get a bit sweaty inside. If your van cover is wet on the inside then I would suggest it wasn't breathable.
Send it back

[The Bishop]

Breathable jackets let air including mist through the weave but will not let solid water drops through.

On a van cover, there is no heat on the inside so I can't see that the water would become misted to travel through the cover. Whichever cover, and indeed with my garage, I think it is best to remove the cover on dry windy days and let the breeze flow through it.

But like bob says, just wax it and use it and it will pay dividends.

[sternal]

thanks for replies cant find anything on the wiki

yes I know how to wax etc but how much to use etc which wax ?

[Cableguy]

Hmm, you may have me on the tech, I don't know.
My van cover does not get wet on the inside. I'd send it back.
There's been a few threads on covers recently and much advice recommending wax. Great, but wax doesn't stop my van from getting wet, it just protects the paintwork. It is waxed, does not leak anymore(much gratitude to Metalmicky), but I put my cover on to
Stop water physically landing on it. Rain gets into all sorts of nooks and crannies, but not with the cover on
Granted, when I drive it in the rain, it gets wet. Keeping it dry when I can, will prolong the life of the van.
Think that covers it
Agree about removing it if it's dry

[kevtherev]

Hmm, you may have me on the tech, I don't know.
My van cover does not get wet on the inside. I'd send it back.
There's been a few threads on covers recently and much advice recommending wax. Great, but wax doesn't stop my van from getting wet, it just protects the paintwork. It is waxed, does not leak anymore(much gratitude to Metalmicky), but I put my cover on to
Stop water physically landing on it. Rain gets into all sorts of nooks and crannies, but not with the cover on
Granted, when I drive it in the rain, it gets wet. Keeping it dry when I can, will prolong the life of the van.
Think that covers it
Agree about removing it if it's dry

No
Canuba wax, is probably better than any cover.
Try Auto glym Hi Def sternal, the tub will last for years and it only has to be applied twice a year.
Your van may look wet but the wax (proper wax) creates an impermiable membrane to moisture
it stops water, bird crap, salt, road film before the paint, making it easier to clean in the process.
After applied see how the water beads up and rolls off, drying quicker than without.
After waxing the paint feels like silk, slippery and waxy..but oh boy it really shines.

covers do not work. IMHO

[Cableguy]

No

No what?
Do you have different rain up north then Kev?

[kevtherev]

No

No what?

.... it just protects the paintwork. It is waxed, does not leak anymore(much gratitude to Metalmicky), but I put my cover on to
Stop water physically landing on it.

sorry.. I should have edited your post,


no
wax prevents water physically landing on the paint, and any moisture/humidity in the air.
clear?

[Cableguy]

Ah yes, good one
I'm double protected because as quoted above, mine is also waxed using the very same wax you recommended to me a while back
Just to balance the discussion, having followed metalmicky's resto threads, wax won't stop the rot getting in, As you've discovered, but my breathable cover will for example stop water going down the rear vents and rotting the panel out. When it's on that is. And for the record, I've driven it 8k miles this year.

Cue the 'myth buster' special edition experiment to settle it