Waterproof covers for the Mk1

[theredbottle]

Can anyone recommend a good waterproof cover (roof and windows only) for the MK1, including the size?

[Jim-SR]

il be watching the replies on this. im guessing youve got the same problems as me with a leaking T-Bar/windscreen rust!

[Grendel]

I cheated and got waterproof seat covers instead that way you just drain off the seats before driving. I have tried all the tricks with the tighter T-Bar guide holes regular silicon lube on T-Bar seals yet it still leaks.

Also bear in mind a car cover will scratch the car if left on for a long time when the wind gets under it as I found out after having the car under a cover for several months following a bike accident.

[Jim-SR]

i even tried removing all of the t-bar hardware, replacing all of those clips and siliconing the new ones in, siliconing all the base plates back in place, and just completely overhauling the whole sealing system. with eccentric t-bar guides as well. and it still drips like a tap!!

the only problem is that ive never actually established if its the t-bar seals leaking, or the front of the windscreen (where there is some obvious rust that needs sorting at some point). the headlining just used to get wet and then drip. so ive removed the headlining but as yet havent found the exact source.

the other issue then is that the water in the car causes condensation on the t-bar glass, which then drips straight onto the seat and drenches it (otherwise the seat wouldnt get wet, all the water ingress is at the front of the roof). i had to remove it from the car for 3 weeks over Xmas and have it indoors to dry it out!! now ive got to figure out a way to stop it getting wet again. ive been sitting on bin liners for the past 3 months lol. during the first stint of cold weather whilst the seat was still in the car it literally froze solid, there was that much water in it!!

[Grendel]

Couldn’t stop the leak which seems to come from the gap between drivers T-bar to screen seal. So bought these to save getting wet backside.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-VAN-4X4-WATER ... 27ae5bc8dc

They go on the car as soon as the weather starts to get wet.

[monkeymax]

I was recommended one from these guys at the end of last year:
http://www.classicadditions.com/
They were cheaper at Silverstone Classics (where at the time I stupidly decided I didn't need one ). However, using their car chooser thing, it seems the extra small roof cover should be sufficient which is £39.34. May be getting one myself...

[Lee H]

i even tried removing all of the t-bar hardware, replacing all of those clips and siliconing the new ones in, siliconing all the base plates back in place, and just completely overhauling the whole sealing system. with eccentric t-bar guides as well. and it still drips like a tap!!

the only problem is that ive never actually established if its the t-bar seals leaking, or the front of the windscreen (where there is some obvious rust that needs sorting at some point). the headlining just used to get wet and then drip. so ive removed the headlining but as yet havent found the exact source.

the other issue then is that the water in the car causes condensation on the t-bar glass, which then drips straight onto the seat and drenches it (otherwise the seat wouldnt get wet, all the water ingress is at the front of the roof). i had to remove it from the car for 3 weeks over Xmas and have it indoors to dry it out!! now ive got to figure out a way to stop it getting wet again. ive been sitting on bin liners for the past 3 months lol. during the first stint of cold weather whilst the seat was still in the car it literally froze solid, there was that much water in it!!

Sounds exactly like what i've had with my roof. Even had icicles hanging off the T-bar glass in this weather. Drivers side mat was frozen solid and stuck to the carpet.

Typically the passenger side hardly leaks so its just me who ends up with a wet ar$e.

[Jim-SR]

i even tried removing all of the t-bar hardware, replacing all of those clips and siliconing the new ones in, siliconing all the base plates back in place, and just completely overhauling the whole sealing system. with eccentric t-bar guides as well. and it still drips like a tap!!

the only problem is that ive never actually established if its the t-bar seals leaking, or the front of the windscreen (where there is some obvious rust that needs sorting at some point). the headlining just used to get wet and then drip. so ive removed the headlining but as yet havent found the exact source.

the other issue then is that the water in the car causes condensation on the t-bar glass, which then drips straight onto the seat and drenches it (otherwise the seat wouldnt get wet, all the water ingress is at the front of the roof). i had to remove it from the car for 3 weeks over Xmas and have it indoors to dry it out!! now ive got to figure out a way to stop it getting wet again. ive been sitting on bin liners for the past 3 months lol. during the first stint of cold weather whilst the seat was still in the car it literally froze solid, there was that much water in it!!

Sounds exactly like what i've had with my roof. Even had icicles hanging off the T-bar glass in this weather. Drivers side mat was frozen solid and stuck to the carpet.

Typically the passenger side hardly leaks so its just me who ends up with a wet ar$e.

exactly the same as mine. passenger side is fine, drivers side leaks all over the seat. i too had icicles, some of which were about 3cm long lol.

the only thing that really bothers me about it is the condensation on the inside of the windscreen though! the seat is easily solved by sitting on a bin liner. but it takes forever to clear the screen in the morning. theres just too much water to remove with a towel.

[monkeymax]

but it takes forever to clear the screen in the morning. theres just too much water to remove with a towel.

I've had none of that and I was worried about mine!!

[sketch]

it takes forever to clear the screen in the morning. theres just too much water to remove with a towel.

Same here, my windscreen had soo much ice on the inside. Nice patterns though

Huge droplets of water hanging from the sunroof too. Felt like that test they did on top gear where they drove with a tray of water on the roof (which had holes in) - whoever drove the smoothest got the least wet.

I was considering one of these roof only covers but they seem expensive for what they are, Halfrauds want £40 for their cheapest on and it's only a tarp with straps

[Jim-SR]

get a tarp and some straps then lol. £5 for the tarp off ebay, and £10 for a few bungee cords.

the classicadditions.com link earlier in this thread has an MR2 specific (presumably) roof cover for £40 as well. if its not MR2 specific then id guess it is at least a close fit, it looks like it has mirror covers as well so it would have to be fairly close.

im considering it myself as a short term solution.

[Cattwooduk]

i even tried removing all of the t-bar hardware, replacing all of those clips and siliconing the new ones in, siliconing all the base plates back in place, and just completely overhauling the whole sealing system. with eccentric t-bar guides as well. and it still drips like a tap!!

the only problem is that ive never actually established if its the t-bar seals leaking, or the front of the windscreen (where there is some obvious rust that needs sorting at some point). the headlining just used to get wet and then drip. so ive removed the headlining but as yet havent found the exact source.

the other issue then is that the water in the car causes condensation on the t-bar glass, which then drips straight onto the seat and drenches it (otherwise the seat wouldnt get wet, all the water ingress is at the front of the roof). i had to remove it from the car for 3 weeks over Xmas and have it indoors to dry it out!! now ive got to figure out a way to stop it getting wet again. ive been sitting on bin liners for the past 3 months lol. during the first stint of cold weather whilst the seat was still in the car it literally froze solid, there was that much water in it!!

Yup exactly the same here for me. Took all the passenger side door lining off, cleaned it all up rubbed some black shoe polish on and put it all back, did the trick for all of 3 months but it's started getting tiny puddles under the carpet again now. Drivers side also worse on mine, carpet is pretty damn sodden still, waiting for the weather to warm up before I properly dry it out, just been mopping up any little puddles for now when it rains really hard to keep the floor pan sound.
I'm pretty sure I've worked out the 2 main places where the water is coming in on both sides of mine, one through the t-bar which drips onto the seats, the other near the bottom of the door seal which makes the carpets wet. Just need it to get a bit lighter in the evening to be able to try a little experiment to confirm then stop the leaks. I'll try to remember to take a couple of pictures when it's light and dry (rare combo lately) and post them showing where the water traces in, it might be helpful... took me bloody ages to work out where the leak was coming in! (thankfully NOT what I was dreading; coming in through the inner wing, though there is a bit of surface rust which will need to be sorted out)
As for the condensation, I ended up buying one of these which seems to work pretty well. It doesn't completely stop it, but I've had to empty it a few times so it's still a bit less water in the furniture!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pingi-Drying-Pe ... 354&sr=8-1

Anyway going slightly off topic, those half covers look pretty good, £40 is a bit steep but I guess it's a good investment in the long run. Doesn't say on the description of them whether or not they are breathable though, but still good for throwing on when it's p!ssing down. The full car covers which are breathable are £90, wont be getting one of those!

[sketch]

get a tarp and some straps then lol. £5 for the tarp off ebay, and £10 for a few bungee cords.

Thing is with a tarp, it's not lined so it'll rub the paint when the wind blows it about.

[Kooga]

was recommended one from these guys at the end of last year:
http://www.classicadditions.com/
They were cheaper at Silverstone Classics (where at the time I stupidly decided I didn't need one ). However, using their car chooser thing, it seems the extra small roof cover should be sufficient which is £39.34. May be getting one myself...

That was probably by me I've used them loads, used to get my bike and scooter covers from them. Their covers have a nice soft inside to prevent scratching the car, though anything left outside long enough without care will eventually scratch with dirt ingress, etc.

[theredbottle]

Got the cover from classicadditions, great job, easy to fit and remove, covers the roof and windows perfectly.

[OriRacer]

I have to get my self covers are well, got leaks at both sides. Using ye old poly bag trick to stop it just now but looks crap when driving around.

[monkeymax]

That was probably by me

I'm afraid not...

However, it's good to see more endorsements...! Think I'm deffo gonna have to get one soon now too, given the praise for them!

[Grendel]

I just bought one of these from E-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toyota-MR2-MK1-85 ... 255793b335

Will just have to wait for it to arrive and put it over on a dry day if such things exist at the moment.

[Grendel]

Beware the cover arrived and if a generic cover for a small hatchback not specifically for the Mk1 as advertised.

Just read this on there profile:
The main difference between us and others is the personal care and attention to detail we give to you, backed by huge amount of stocks to ensure your product is to you as quick as possible. There are many sellers on Ebay and not all reputable.

The cover is actually one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maypole-Car-Top-C ... 27afd1e634

[sketch]

Ian we just got one of these for El, size=small.(upto 13ft vehicle) It's a whole car cover rather than just a top only and does fit really well.

The only thing that we were disapointed with was that it implyed it was waterproof but the leaflet inside says it's not