You have to be very careful with car covers outside, the wind can be an absolute nightmare - no matter how well its been tied down.

In addition to this, if the car is under there for sometime, I've seen cases where (possibly cheap car covers) they have caused damage to the physical paint of the car i.e. caused lacquer problems or paint discoloration. Something to do with preventing the paint from breathing and condensation build up... I'm no expert, so hopefully somebody will chime in on the issue.

I used to leave one on a car of mine which was not used very often, but since observing the issues, I've just removed it all together..

 

Well I need to put it on every time it rains as the roof leaks. It's induced some scuffs where the paint has lightened and some kind of weird scuffs I've never seen before. It's like a latticework of depressions where the paint hasn't lightened.

The cover isn't actually over the paint as it's just a cover for the roof. But the elastic straps cross the paint and those are what have scuffed it.

 

£50 for a car cover as the roof leaks? A replacement vinyl top isn't exactly expensive

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-MX-5-Eunos-MK1-NA-Car-Hood-Hoods-Soft-Top-Roof-Roofs-New-/121181790644?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c36ff61b4

Just replace the roof, then it won't leak, won't damage your paint, and is about a million times more convenient.

 

Is the leak due to a tear in the top itself? Mine was, so I sealed it with Stormsure and it's been fine for months.

 

The rubber seals between the window and the roof don't fully seal.

The cover is only to stop the interior getting wet until I can find a good condition black hardtop.

 

The rubber seals between the window and the roof don't fully seal.

Could've saved £50 if you'd asked then. Pull the seals off and you'll notice the backing plates are adjustable. Adjust them to fit.

Job jobbed.

 

Also isn't there a thread somewhere about filling them with extra padding to make them seal to the window better? Really cheap fix either way.

 

Still a soft top at the end of the day though and soft tops leaking is kind of a fact of life.

Plus there's all that water rolling down the back and getting in between the bodywork and the roof at the rear of the car. Don't want that getting all moldy.

 

Still a soft top at the end of the day though and soft tops leaking is kind of a fact of life.

Mine doesn't leak, it's not a fact of life at all.

Plus there's all that water rolling down the back and getting in between the bodywork and the roof at the rear of the car. Don't want that getting all moldy.

That should be caught by the rain rail and deposited though the drains, if it's not - fix it.

 

I agree with Mr Slow, the rain rails should send that water down through the drain holes without any left sitting there. It really is an easy fix, no point throwing out a perfectly good soft top.

Or just get a hard top for about £250-300.

 

Had my 5 for 12 years and it's never leaked, definatly fixable.

 

So the interior is still getting wet even though the cover stops all water :wacko:

The seats are damp every morning. And In places where water couldn't physically drop on them.

 

Likely residual water from previous leaks.

Pull the rear shelf carpet, it's likely the souond deadening is soaked through, inspect the rain rail for crask/leaks and duct tape up to repair temporarialy.

 

Only the window seals were leaking though, I don't think water could get to the rear shelf.

 

if the sound deadening and carpet is wet/damp everything will be damp until you dry it out , the people who have posted have all had these problems before and solved them

there are drains in the front door to screen frame rubbers from memory check they are clear, check the rain rail as suggested, take the carpets out that you can remove and dry them out

anything that touches pain and moves will mark paint

 

Only the window seals were leaking though, I don't think water could get to the rear shelf.

How do you know the rain rail hasn't been leaking?

Have you checked it?

Are the drains clear and empty freely?

 

I can check the sound deadening because the seats where damp AGAIN this moring despite no water being able to enter the cabin due to cover. I dunno if they're getting re-damp every night or they just refuse to dry from being initially damp.

I don't see how being wet in a different location make the seats wet though. And the rear shelf carpet is dry.

 

It's obviously witch craft I'd sell the car and get another

 

It's obviously witch craft I'd sell the car and get another

:lol:

 

As the temperature rises during day, or while the car is used, the warmer air causes water already in the car to evaporate. When the temperature drops overnight, this water held in the in air is deposited as condensation on all interior surfaces. Until you dry the car out inside this will continue. I bet the roof above your head is damp too.

Open the windows and run the heater when using the car to allow the damp air out.

Buy some disposable de-humidifier boxes (£1 each from big Tesco's) to help absorb the excess moisture from the air inside the car. If the carpets are really soaked lay a towel or sponges on the carpet to absorb some water before removing.

 

^^ that. The dehumidifier boxes work really well, well worth it.

 

Just make sure you remove/replace the silca sacks when they're saturated - otherwise they're just another very efficient way of storing moisture.

Root cause analysis: Your seals leaked, your interior is now saturated with water. You need to a. address the leaky seals b. ensure the rain rail/drains are in place and intact c. dry the car out thoroughly - a very long drive with roof up and windows ajar, cabin blower on full hot and aimed at your feet will go along way to helping.

I.e.: follow all the guidance you've been given above. Then follow steps: d. polish out the marks left by the webbing and e. sell the cover.