Car Cover for FSJ

[gwinn]

To get along with the neighbors/city I have to keep my non-running/non-licensed FSJ project in the driveway covered. I covered it with a $40 heavy duty silver tarp last May. That cover has been completely destroyed by the sun and wind. I am now looking at a heavy duty $90 canvas tarp. The question is will canvas hold up against the Arizona sun or will the fibers be destroyed like the poly tarp?

[jaber]

When I lived by the river, quite a few guys would snag the hay tarps and they lasted for quite a few years.

[Locked and Loaded]

Tom
Isn't there enough snaggin going on in your neighborhood? I have bought the expensive ($250.) covers before. They last about 2 years before the sun turns them into large paper towels. IMO its better and cheaper to buy several "cheap" ones and replace them when they wear out.

[chrisnsarah]

I buy those 3-pack of reversible blue-silver tarps from Costco for $20 and I can get almost 2 years in the direct sun with the silver side out, and longer in the shade. I have more of a problem with the wind ripping them than rotting in the sun.
These aren't good for painted surfaces. When I stored my Cherokee, I bought a cheap indoor car cover and put the silver tarp over that.

[Brad W.]

if you get an oiled canvas tarp (like a military one) it should last you quite a few years. I have a tan oiled one that has covered my trucks and trailers outside for several years now, after it spent two summers as an awning. It is a oiled canvas top I bought at the tractor store.

It has been out in -40F with snow/ice and +106F with blazing sun. And it is still going strong. It finally has a small tear, but that has more to do with what is under it being a sharp corner.

This is what I would recommend. a cheap car cover under it would help protect the paint from scratches & chafing. Get some good UV resistant straps or ropes and tie it down TIGHT and you will be fine. Try to find a lighter color than the typical OD green and it will probably last longer, like my tan one.

[ThisGuyUKnow]

this is why alabama is great you could almost have a junkyard in your front yard and still no one will give you any trouble haha