car cover?

[jeremy_ardor]

Did a seaech and only found one reference that said NOT to use car covers but didn't say why.

This is my first time and have a very new vehicle I was thinking of protecting with a waterproof cover. I would unload everything from the.vehicle and not uncover it until it's time to leave.

Is this a bad idea... and if so, why?

J

[Captain Goddammit]

It's a bad idea because the dust WILL get up under it, the wind will flap it, and you'll end up scratched up a lot more than if you'd just carefully washed it after you leave the playa. A cover is a big abrasive pad on your car out there.
It is a good idea to unload the car and keep it shut the entire time.

[jeremy_ardor]

^^^Thanks.

So maybe a car port shelter just to slow the wind down might be better.

[Elliot]

If your new car is the eight Bugatti Royale, then you ought to build a garage around it, yes. Otherwise, of course it would help to some degree, but it may be more valuable for your peace of mind than for the car.

No cover -- same reason as never to use a cover when a car is being transported on an open trailer. The wind will work the cover like a sanding pad.

[Captain Goddammit]

Only if you stake and guy it down EXTREMELY well, otherwise, if the wind overpowers your tie-down job, the poles will dent your car.
There are many discussions here about how to do this, but essentially, however you had planned on tying it isn't enough, quadruple it.
The best advice is NOT to take a car you're that particular about to Black Rock Desert.

[burner von braun]

The best advice is NOT to take a car you're that particular about to Black Rock Desert.

[digital]

?

[hug+kiss]

Holy crap digital! I swear I saw a car wrapped up just like that at last years burn. I figured that was the way for them to get their rental deposit back..lol but would also make for an awesome prank.

[Sham]

A tarp or car cover with keep some of the talcum power type dust off of your car, but any movement or flapping of the tarp in the wind will chafe and sandpaper down the surface of your paint.
As has been said, this has been discussed in various threads, and my thought is to let the car stay open and wash the car once you leave the playa.
Also, there is no need to remove all your belongings from the car, just be sure to open it only when things are calm and there is no dust in the air.

[mooserider]

Hmmm.... does that mean I should take the "bra" off my vehicle? I didn't notice any significant scratches when I had to take the bra off last year for front-end maintenance, but the RV hasn't been in dust storms of the caliber described for Burning Man yet either.

[Zubeneschamali]

A car cover is made for light duty / normal conditions. Nothing about the playa is normal. The last few years have been sweet out there but anyone who tries to sell you on what it will be like in 6 months is a charlatan.

I have seen serious paint damage caused by car covers. These are deep scratches that won't buff out.

Back to rule #1 that was already mentioned: don't bring anything that you don't want to see thrashed. If you're concerned, rent something and leave your car at home.

[Just_Joe]

It is a good idea to unload the car and keep it shut the entire time.

When you open it, expect a ton of dust to fall into it from the door jambs. Bring a big paintbrush to dust it off before you open. Or not.

[MikeGyver]

The bra is pretty tight on your car I wouldn't worry too much about it chafing. A tarp/Car cover is fairly loose and moves constantly in wind. Ive had 0 issues getting playa off the outside of a vehicle after the burn, getting the inside clean is a different story.

As has been said multiple times, If you are worried about your "very new vehicle" Rent/borrow a different vehicle and leave yours at home. But if you just open it as little as necessary It wont be too hard to clean. I drive the vehicle I take all year long and you wouldn't know its been. (no cover and window usually rolled down waiting in gate line)

[Jackass]

My first year I used a tent rainfly to shade the ice chest in the back of my truck. One guy line rubbed through the paint and primer in less than one day, just a small spot but it's got definite potential.

[maladroit]

Washing the outside of the car is a solved problem, but expect that the car will always have dust in it and will never be exactly like new again. You might be able to get to camp, take everything out, and seal up the car airtight for the week. But then you have to go home. You will be loading a bunch of extremely dusty items back into the car. Throw a pile of laundry and garbage into your driveway, sprinkle an entire box of cornstarch over it, stomp all over the pile, and then load it all into your car. That's pretty much how it will work.