In my experience car covers trap moisture and rub against the car in wind, causing scratches and rust issues. I wouldn't get one personally, but that's me

 

Agreed, car covers do more damage than good. Just wash off the poop when it happens

 

That and any amount of dirt that happens to be on the car when you put the cover on will act as an abrasive and will stick to the car cover when you remove it, just to act as an abrasive again when you put the cover back on. The only situations where I've considered a cover is long term storage. In OP's situation I'd make sure the bodywork has a healthy layer of wax on it and remove the bird excrement as soon as possible or get rid of the source of the birds, or park somewhere else.

 

On my street, I am bombarded by birds through the spring and summer months. You’ll see me washing bombs off my car at 5 AM prior to going to work. The price we pay for parking outside under tree canopy… 🤷‍♂️

 

I 100% agree with what everyone else has said about car covers.

I have a little more to add to that.

Prior to becoming enlightened as to the dangers of car covers, I did use one regularly.

I found it sort of a hassle to install every morning (at work) and then remove after afternoon. My cover had a cable that runs under the car to lock it to my car, which was helpful on breezy days to keep the car cover from blowing away - my car cover was specific to my car and fit perfectly, yet the breeze will still get to it. On those breezy days, however, it was even more of a hassle to fold the car cover up to put in my trunk before leaving.

What's worse is if it rained that day, then I had a huge, wet car cover to deal with.

I think it's easier and just as effective to keep the paint waxed and clean off the bird droppings as soon as you can.

 

It’s a bit more than what you are asking for, but a ceramic coating will cost less (DIY) and work pretty well to minimize issues due to bird droppings.

 

Wow, thanks everyone! Looks like I will be passing on the car cover. Much appreciated all.

I will clean the car more regularly. Parking in the city is hard to come by, so I will have to find a way to keep the birds away.

I will not ever use one of the automatic or brushless car washes with this car, so i'll have to find some places to hand wash a bit more regularly. Or find a garage that comes with a house. ;-)

 

Get a Garage! lol. I only say that since I recently moved my car in to mine. It's an ooooold garage, I've no idea what car was supposed to fit in this thing (Model T?) but after almost 10 years living here, I hit my limit of trying to keep the car reasonably clean and free of overlfowing detritus from the giant 50-100 year old trees on the lot. I cleaned it out and got everything to one side so I could fit the car in. Thanks to parking sensors!! I have to go to the "last warning" solid tone to the back wall for the door to be able to close. Anyways the reduced frequency that I need to wash the car, and no more tree junk filling up the cowl is so nice!

I've always parked my cars outside though. Keeping the paint clean and protected is the key. When you wash the car, the bird poop and such will come off much easier if you got good protection. I am a practical sort, keep my car clean but don't obsess about it. So I use the spinny brush wash around here, I reason keeping contaminents off the car with a conveneient wash works better for me than delaying until I can go to the wash bays or wash in the driveway. I would hand wash, clay, and apply wax twice a year, even then not always consistent, can't make it through the winter on a single wax, even the Collinite 845. Finally moved to ceramic (CQuartz) last year. It truly does last long enough for a once a year process. I just finished up this years treatment, I got swirl marks and such, but the car looks great.

That would be my vote, DIY or detailer, clean up the paint and get a good ceramic on there to protect the paint and make it easy to wash the crap off.

 

Great advice here. Work keeps me in Brooklyn, so options and convenience are limited here. Having a parking spot is a real luxury. That said, I'm planning to build a detached garage at my folks home to make it easier for my dad. Until then, keep loading the truck and downsize. That said, anyone want to buy a great set of 19" Volvo Wheels & Tires or 18" Volvo Wheels? ;-)

 

I have a contrary view. For my case I want to protect my daily driver S60 and outside parked cars from UV exposure and other elements. For example, we get brush fires several times a year lately, when that happens ash rains down and that is highly caustic to paint. My outside cars all have quality lightweight covers that can be machine washed periodically to keep them clean on the inside and out, and the cars themselves are washed frequently so that foreign materials are not present to cause paint scratches (or, to at least reduce it as much as possible). IMO, I would rather risk a few micro scratches over time that can be easily corrected versus long term UV damage to the exterior and interior or other damage from the elements.

On the other hand, my Giulia has satin/matte paint and the only thing that touches that paint is micro fiber, water, soap from a foam cannon, and air. No car cover for fear of micro scratches that can't ever be removed due to the satin paint. But it is parked inside and only ventures out on nice days. Using a car cover yes/no is a personal decision, YMMV.

 

Pellet gun , stand guard