I do not have a carport at this time. My car is in full sun. I have cats. I need protection from all these elements.

Well, it depends, if you have a light car cover that doesnt stick on too tightly you shouldnt have a problem. In a way it does extend the life, if you have it covered everytime it rains you should have better paint then guys who have their car rained on. It just depends how carefully you put on your cover.

Well, light scratches such as swirls cannot be avoided while using a car cover. These swirls or light scratches become more visible on darker coloured cars.There is no way to avoid these, as when a car is in motion, it generates static electrity which makes dust stick to the paint, then when you put your car cover on, you are essentially dragging the dust over the paint resulting in very fine scratching.Then the dust is captured by the fibres in the car cover, and no matter what you do, they are there for ever promoting more scratching.Light scratching and swirls are really unavoidable on car paint, unless you don't drive the thing. The dust and dirt are trapped in sponges, chamios, on the paint and also settle on the car immeadiately after you wash it.If you really want to avoid them, wash the car before you put on your car cover, (using a new sponge, and towel, chamios) which you will need to replace each time you use it.It sucks, I KNOW.... I have a dark purple car, and it shows up every spec of dust, dirt and light scratch.There are products out ther that remove these imperfections, however they return the next time you wash it. Aslo, don't use automated car wash machines, as a 4WD covered in mud has probably been there before you and your car will then be whipped by nylon brushes covered in dirt, scratching your paint again.

Purchase a proper outdoor cover made of Evalution 3 or 4 that is meant to fit your car. The cover will save the paint finish and interior from sun damage and the claws of those pesky cats. These covers are meant to breathe and so will get wet in the rain, rapidly drying out. I use a cover for my '51 Lincoln Cosmopolitan and don't find that it scratches the car. Of course, I ensure that the car is dusted prior to putting on the cover. Use one of the 'California Dusters' prior to putting on the cover. Or, wash the car.