30 replies to this topic

[james12345]

So.....The car has been resprayed a few years ago. Paint seems good although flaking a tiny bit on some corners. Now I intend to keep her outside during the winter months under a full weather cover. What do you think the chances are of me having this paint bubble problem? And......I have armour guard on the whole front end. Is it possible to get bubbles under that? Thanks.

[theotherjonnymac]

My front and rear clams were both replaced under warranty about 3 yrs ago. My rear clam is bubbling again. The problem is just not solveable and Vauxhall are not now honouring any claims as all cars are over 6yrs old. The frost does not help but a cover probably will

[chris_uk]

keeping it indoors if probably the only solution im afraid i kept it outside last year without a cover, and im going to keep outside again with a cover this year. i might even ask dad if i can steal his garage lol

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

it does amazed me some car do suffer and some don't
mine 9 years of age and living well covered outside as never suffer of such disease ( bloody french clam)

[turbobob]

Ok, there are already plenty of threads on this topic . However, I shall try and give some more details on this issue again. The bubbling is all down to moisture in the glass reinforced plastic. This occurred (I believe) when the clams were first produced. By all accounts the clams were stored outside and unprotected. Fibre glass products such as this are inherently water absorbing and storing outside unprotected will mean they absorb water. After the clams have been painted, during extreme temps such as high temp in direct sunlight will mean the water begins to evaporate and therefore want to outgas and cause bubbles / blistering. At the other extreme the water will freeze and therefore expand, also causing bubbling / blistering. It is treatable. But its not easy. The affected area has to be stripped back of all paint and gel coat layers to expose the fibre glass. Then the fibre glass should be baked to expel the moisture that is soaked into the fibre glass. Then as soon as possible after the exposed area should be repaired and resealed with a gel coat, and then repainted. If you can keep your car indoors over winter that would be ideal. But there are plenty of other people who can't. So the next best thing is a decent car cover. This will keep the water off the car and preventing any standing water freezing on your car.

[imperial04]

so the next question would be where to get a good cover?

[Mangham54]

Just waiting for someone to come up with a heated car cover - though the risk of a thermal incident would increase!

[turbobob]

so the next question would be where to get a good cover?

Search is your friend

However Good quality fitted car cover which your looking at £150 for a decent one. Or the Halfords One which a fair number of us have. Its a good quality and decent fitting cover that will cost you £55.

[turbobob]

Just waiting for someone to come up with a heated car cover - though the risk of a thermal incident would increase!

I think this has been discussed before. I seem to recall there being a car cover and warm air blower. Can't remember the exact details though.

[techieboy]

Heated blanket (if such things still exist - probably in the OAP ad's in the weekend papers) with a tailored(ish) cover over the top. Sorted.

[turbobob]

Heated blanket (if such things still exist - probably in the OAP ad's in the weekend papers) with a tailored(ish) cover over the top. Sorted.

Should right up Manghams' street

[haggi961]

Anyone know if these are any good http://www.morethanp...s_Car_Cover.asp

[turbobob]

Anyone know if these are any good http://www.morethanp...s_Car_Cover.asp

That basically looks like a tent for your car and costs over £300. Not saying its no good, but I can't see the point?

[haggi961]

Anyone know if these are any good http://www.morethanp...s_Car_Cover.asp

That basically looks like a tent for your car and costs over £300. Not saying its no good, but I can't see the point?

I think they look good and you don't have to wash the car when you put it inside the tent thing every time and will save on the swirls marks were the car cover is moving around.

Edited by haggi961, 09 September 2010 - 09:50 PM.

[turbobob]

I think they look good and you don't have to wash the car when you put it inside the tent thing every time and will save on the swirls marks were the car cover is moving around.

Its a good point, but won't you need the biggest drive in the world for it to fit? And for that sort of cash I'd rather wash my car before tucking up in bed.

[haggi961]

I think they look good and you don't have to wash the car when you put it inside the tent thing every time and will save on the swirls marks were the car cover is moving around.

Its a good point, but won't you need the biggest drive in the world for it to fit? And for that sort of cash I'd rather wash my car before tucking up in bed.

Not sure on what sizes they make but it does say cars like lambos & ferraris so could be problems for small drive ways. Im the same to but i hate having to wash the car when i come back late at night from somewhere and its dark before i can put it under the cover.

Just read they are for more indoor use then outdoor.

Edited by haggi961, 09 September 2010 - 10:08 PM.

[VXTyrant]

keeping it indoors if probably the only solution im afraid

I kept mine in a garage last winter and the paint bubbling was worse than the first year out in the frost with just a showercap protecting the roof and windscreen!

Saying that I'll be putting it back in the garage after every use again this winter

[Mangham54]

Heated blanket (if such things still exist - probably in the OAP ad's in the weekend papers) with a tailored(ish) cover over the top. Sorted.

Should right up Manghams' street

You'd be surprised

[FLD]

Mine lives outside and has no bubbles....yet. Even after all that snow. back on the cover front though, didnt carcoon make an outdoor version?

[jbudgie]

so the next question would be where to get a good cover?

Search is your friend

However Good quality fitted car cover which your looking at £150 for a decent one. Or the Halfords One which a fair number of us have. Its a good quality and decent fitting cover that will cost you £55.

Which size is needed for the Halfords one?