Indoor covers are the lightweight breathable covers used in garage and workshop storage situations where dust and accidental contact are the principal concerns rather than weather exposure. The construction priorities for indoor use are different from outdoor covers, breathability and a soft inner finish matter more than waterproofing, and the materials and constructions reflect this.
Breathable Construction
Indoor covers are typically constructed from cotton, polyester, polypropylene or blended fabrics, materials that allow water vapour to pass through the cover rather than being trapped underneath. This is important: a car under an airtight cover in a typical garage environment will accumulate condensation underneath as the temperature varies between day and night, and the condensed water then sits against the paint surface where it can cause moisture-related issues over time. A breathable cover allows the moisture to escape, keeping the underlying paint and bodywork dry through normal temperature cycling. The breathable construction also allows the cover to dry quickly if the car is put under cover slightly damp (after a wash, for example), without the trapped moisture causing issues.
Soft Inner Linings
The inner face of an indoor cover is the surface in contact with the paint, and the construction priority is a soft finish that will not scratch or mark the paint even with repeated cover-on, cover-off cycles. Quality indoor covers use a soft fleece, brushed cotton, or non-woven polypropylene inner lining that gives a particularly gentle contact surface. Lower-quality covers may use a harsher inner construction that risks scratch marks over many cycles of use, particularly on cars with freshly-resprayed paint that has not fully cured to its hardest service finish. The right indoor cover for a freshly-restored car is one with a premium-quality soft inner lining, even if the outer construction is otherwise the same as a budget alternative.
Fitted vs Universal Patterns
Indoor covers are stocked in both fitted and universal patterns. Fitted covers are shaped specifically to a particular bodystyle (MGB roadster, MGB GT, Midget, MGA, MGC), with elastic edges and shaped contours that hug the body closely. Universal covers are sized to suit a range of car sizes, with sufficient elastic at the edges to accommodate different bodystyles. For long-term storage of a specific car, the fitted cover is the better choice, closer fit, less flapping, better protection.
For workshops with multiple cars or for owners with shifting requirements, the universal cover provides flexibility at the expense of fit precision. The dedicated Outdoor Covers sub-section covers the weather-resistant alternatives for cars stored outdoors, and the technical team is available to advise on the right specification for a specific car and storage environment.