Re: Damage From AutoArmor Car Cover
Sorry to hear about the damage to your Crossfire's finish.
I'm not familiar with the brand of cover you bought. I did look at the Auto Armour website and while it looks flashy, it doesn't scream reputable. They don't list their mailing address or provide a telephone number. That makes it a lot harder to get resolution when you don't know who you're dealing with.
That said, it doesn't mean the cover is necessarily junk or defective. Let me pose the following questions:
During the 6 weeks the cover was on the car were there any times when the wind was gusty?
Do you live in a wet climate or somewhere that is dry and dusty?
The reason I ask is that all these inexpensive auto covers are either universal or semi-custom fit. Regardless of material, they are much more likely to damage your car's finish than a custom fit cover - which typically cost 3-5 what you paid for the Auto Armour cover. My personal opinion is that universal or semi-custom fit covers should never be used outdoors on a vehicle with a nice finish you are trying to meticulously preserve. They may be suitable indoors where there is no wind. But outside, air will inevitably get under the cover and it will flap in the wind. Over time, this will wear the cover, the finish, or both at the locations where the repetitive contact is made. If you live in a dry/dusty area the problem can be "compounded" because abrasive particles can get trapped under the cover. A snug fitting custom cover with mirror pockets, etc., can alleviate some of the issues with wind wear.
I have used a custom fit Stormshield (discontinued) cover for the past 6 years. After a couple years the soft, sprayed-in lining degraded (which I think may have been why the material was discontinued), and the result is that I tend to get minor scuffing or deposition of cover material on the finish along the roof edges and a couple other edge areas of snug contact. Appears to clean up fine when I wax. Also keep in mind that any car covering outdoors is a compromise between friction-related wearing of the finish by the cover due to wind and degradation from other elements such as the sun, rain, door dings, bird droppings sap, etc.
Last edited by Rob M; Jul 17, 2012 at 02:15 PM.