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I'm considering getting a car cover for my IS500 and using it at work maybe 2-3 times a week since the pollen is pretty bad here and leaves many yellow-brown spots on my car after just 8 hours that I have to wipe off each night. Although a car cover is somewhat inconvenient and my coworkers may think I'm goofy, I think it would be more protection than PPF or ceramic coatings against pollen (the number 1 thing destroying my clearcoat right now). I just can't keep this up -- I feel as if I don't get a car cover in a year my car will be 100% covered in swirl marks and I'll have eaten through 5 bottles of Meguiar's Ultimate Detailer.
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with car covers, such as good brands or general advice. I've seen some YouTube reviews on places like carcover.com and apparently they eventually rip despite a lifetime warranty and they have junk customer service. Then there's CoverCraft but they tell me the IS350 won't fit the IS500 since they're custom made. I kind of doubt they couldn't spare 2" in the front and 2" for the hood, but who am I to say.
^^ I hear your pain about pollen and such and now that I know you are as OCD as me, I can see your desire to wanna have a car cover, especially if you have a darker color where swirl marks are a bit more easy to see. Everyone will have an opinion but I am not a big fan of car cover. They aren't easy to put on when it is windy, can be awkward and such, can still do damage to the finish if dirt is on the car and the cover flaps in the wind and possibly damage the finish. In the end, I still think your best best is to do your on-going detailing especially since the pollen season ain't forever.
I nearly spitted my coffee when I read your "yellow-brown spots" comment - made me think of laundry that my wife always complains about (LMAO)
Problem you will have is the cover will accumulate dust and everything else that falls on it. This is okay when the cover sits on your car at home but taking it on and off everyday will spread the crud everywhere. On the car, in your trunk. on you.
I would instead get PPF and ceramic coating on top of that. I know it's not cheap but once done it's done.
Problem you will have is the cover will accumulate dust and everything else that falls on it. This is okay when the cover sits on your car at home but taking it on and off everyday will spread the crud everywhere. On the car, in your trunk. on you.
I would instead get PPF and ceramic coating on top of that. I know it's not cheap but once done it's done.
I believe the problem with PPF and ceramic is that the pollen will still stick to the car once it's landed and will still need to be wiped off daily. I probably won't have to worry as much about swirl marks from the wiping though.
As for "once its done its done" I don't believe that's the case with ceramic coats. Many manufacturers and shops require you to visit annually to inspect and re-apply it to maintain the warranty, which I think is around $200 each time.
Update: I'm learning this may not actually be pollen, but honeybee excrement. This stuff actually binds to the surface and even after wiping it off immediately leaves a clear mark in the clear coat.
Update: I'm learning this may not actually be pollen, but honeybee excrement. This stuff actually binds to the surface and even after wiping it off immediately leaves a clear mark in the clear coat.
I believe the problem with PPF and ceramic is that the pollen will still stick to the car once it's landed and will still need to be wiped off daily. I probably won't have to worry as much about swirl marks from the wiping though.
Most PPFs now self heal so scratches are temporary.
As for "once its done its done" I don't believe that's the case with ceramic coats. Many manufacturers and shops require you to visit annually to inspect and re-apply it to maintain the warranty, which I think is around $200 each time.
Hmmmm not sure about the maintenance part as I do them myself. I have very little maintenance except normal washing, I've tried topper products not sure they are necessary. We have high UV index here so I get a bit less than 2 years of protection could be less if winters are extra harsh. Still, after paint correction and ceramic coating I don't have to worry about scratches. Once the coating is gone I do a de-contamination, mild polishing if needed and ceramic again. I never, ever use a brush to remove snow use a leaf blower.
Is there an “official Lexus accessory” or other recommendation for a soft car cover for the IS500? Doesn’t need to be bulletproof, I’m garaged 99% of the time but trying to cut down on dust (we live in a very windy area), insect spots, etc when our garage door is left open all day while my kids play, go in and out, etc. or in the rare event I do need to park outside overnight or extended weekend somewhere.
Is there an “official Lexus accessory” or other recommendation for a soft car cover for the IS500? Doesn’t need to be bulletproof, I’m garaged 99% of the time but trying to cut down on dust (we live in a very windy area), insect spots, etc when our garage door is left open all day while my kids play, go in and out, etc. or in the rare event I do need to park outside overnight or extended weekend somewhere.
Cover Craft makes one for the IS500 specifically now but I never bought it lol.
03-23-22, 09:04 AM
Car covers for the IS500
