Use a Body Cover in Open-Air Parking Lots

Our home’s parking space can fit up to two cars. Usually, that would be enough, but since my husband is a car enthusiast, we also rent a parking spot nearby to park our Mercedes-Benz SL500 and Volkswagen Golf. (The monthly fee is about 10,000 yen per car.)

However, since it’s an open-air parking lot, the cars are exposed to intense sunlight and rain, which isn’t good for them. So, earlier this year, my husband started using a custom-made body cover from Nakabayashi Kogyo, which I introduced in a recent blog post (only for the Mercedes-Benz SL500).

Until recently, our family was the only one using a body cover in that parking lot, but the other day, while out with the family, I spotted from a distance that a Mercedes-Benz C-Class parked in the same lot was also covered with a body cover! My husband said,

“Maybe they saw me using a body cover and thought, ‘That’s a good idea!’ Using a body cover keeps the car cleaner, drastically reduces washing frequency, and lessens wear and tear. There’s really no reason not to use one. That’s great!”

He was genuinely happy, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

A Body Cover That’s Supposed to Protect Your Car… But Doesn’t

However, shortly after coming home from work one day, my husband said something surprising: “That car that recently started using a body cover? That cover is no good! It’s actually better not to use one at all!” Apparently, the fabric was very thin and flimsy, and the hem was already flipping up. Also, every time the wind blew, air got between the cover and the car, causing the cover to flap around.

“It’s not even made with a soft inner lining, and it’s so thin and flimsy that every time it flaps in the wind, it’s scratching the car with countless tiny marks. That’s way worse for the car. It’d be better to just leave it out in the rain. That’s no good at all. Maybe I should leave a message card saying, ‘Why not try Nakabayashi Kogyo’s body cover?’ lol”

Meanwhile, our body cover didn’t flip up at all, fitting snugly over the car with no issues. My husband really realized “how much difference a body cover can make,” and even took photos to show me. First, here’s the cover that had flipped up:

Indeed… but isn’t this cover the wrong size to begin with!? The door mirror area is stretched tight, which could put stress on the mirror when removing the cover. It looks a bit cramped. Also, it seems there’s no way to tie the hem. On the other hand, here’s our SL with its body cover on:

It’s fully covered and has a tie at the hem, so there are no problems. This cover didn’t flip up even during the heavy rainstorm that hit western Japan recently, and the car stayed completely dry, which impressed my husband greatly.

The Power of a Custom-Made Body Cover

There are many affordable, generic body covers available, but since this is about protecting a precious car, I’ve come to realize how important it is to choose carefully. Also, cars today come in so many shapes and sizes depending on the manufacturer and model that generic covers often don’t fit well, causing them to flip up or even damage the car.

So, even if it costs a bit more, I believe it’s better in the long run to choose a custom-made body cover that fits your car perfectly and protects it well from dirt and damage.

When I recently spoke with the president of Nakabayashi Kogyo, he told me that many customers say “their cars sell for a much higher price when they have a custom-made body cover.”… Of course, the best option is a covered parking space, but since that’s not always possible, it’s crucial to pick a body cover that truly fits your car. That’s a lesson I’ve been reminded of lately.

*Later, I visited Nakabayashi Kogyo for an interview, which they kindly featured on their Minkara blog↓↓
Blog: “Welcome Home, PORSCHE” Owner Interview