Volusiano
Well-known member
I've used the Silverguard cover by CoverKing bought from Costco before on a pickup truck I parked outside 24/7. I didn't like it for 2 reasons: it may keep the sun out, but it still traps heat inside. My truck still feels hot (despite being white), and the black tonneau truck cover for the bed feels even hotter (we live in AZ). And its movement due to the wind over time causes the paint surface of my new pickup truck to become noticeably dull. Nothing some buffing and waxing wouldn't fix. But still a pain that you'd have to deal with that problem because you expect the cover to provide protection but instead it's dulling out the paint shine.
Anyway, fast forward to now, I sold the truck, but now I have to move my minivan out of the garage to make room for the Leaf. So I research different cover options and I really just want something that covers the top of my van around the windows only to keep the sun out of the interior. That way I can take it off quickly when needed, and it's easier to handle because it's not too bulky, and at least it won't dull the paint on the bottom half of the car (it may still dull the top half over time).
So I found this product called the Cool Caps (itscoolinhere.com). I ordered it from http://www.empirecovers.com for 10% off and free shipping (if over $110 purchase, I bought some other stuff). It's a little pricey ($90 minus 10% for my van), but I tried it on my minivan and I like it a lot because it's just what I was looking for.
The only thing is that while you can select your car make/model to find the right size, it's still not a custom sizing specific to your car, but only general sizing that fits most cars in that type and size. The cover for my minivan doesn't fit it 100%, but is good enough and covers more than 90% of the top.
But I like the idea of a top cover only, and I like the product enough that I'm ordering one for my Leaf as well, and I intend to use it while I park it outside at work all day long. I haven't received it yet to see how well it will fit the Leaf, but when I get it in, I'll report back. The Leaf is the smaller size 3 only so I paid $70 minus 10% for it. I also order one for my Lexus to get free shipping because I want one for my Lexus, too.
You'll probably need to remove the antenna from the top out of the way. I removed mine and used a bolt from my bicycle (designed to hold a water bottle cage) to screw into the antenna slot now to keep from water condensation.
A little off topic here, but I also bought some wheel covers from Camping World to protect my tires from the sun. But that's because I only need to use my van once in a while now and will be parking outdoors 24/7.
Anyway, fast forward to now, I sold the truck, but now I have to move my minivan out of the garage to make room for the Leaf. So I research different cover options and I really just want something that covers the top of my van around the windows only to keep the sun out of the interior. That way I can take it off quickly when needed, and it's easier to handle because it's not too bulky, and at least it won't dull the paint on the bottom half of the car (it may still dull the top half over time).
So I found this product called the Cool Caps (itscoolinhere.com). I ordered it from http://www.empirecovers.com for 10% off and free shipping (if over $110 purchase, I bought some other stuff). It's a little pricey ($90 minus 10% for my van), but I tried it on my minivan and I like it a lot because it's just what I was looking for.
The only thing is that while you can select your car make/model to find the right size, it's still not a custom sizing specific to your car, but only general sizing that fits most cars in that type and size. The cover for my minivan doesn't fit it 100%, but is good enough and covers more than 90% of the top.
But I like the idea of a top cover only, and I like the product enough that I'm ordering one for my Leaf as well, and I intend to use it while I park it outside at work all day long. I haven't received it yet to see how well it will fit the Leaf, but when I get it in, I'll report back. The Leaf is the smaller size 3 only so I paid $70 minus 10% for it. I also order one for my Lexus to get free shipping because I want one for my Lexus, too.
You'll probably need to remove the antenna from the top out of the way. I removed mine and used a bolt from my bicycle (designed to hold a water bottle cage) to screw into the antenna slot now to keep from water condensation.
A little off topic here, but I also bought some wheel covers from Camping World to protect my tires from the sun. But that's because I only need to use my van once in a while now and will be parking outdoors 24/7.
