Had a similar experience myself—tried the breathable cover route thinking it'd help, but ended up with condensation spots underneath. Honestly, improving airflow made a bigger difference. Sometimes simpler really is better... learned that lesson the hard way too.
Improving airflow definitely helps, but I'd be cautious about dismissing breathable covers entirely. Condensation issues often depend heavily on local climate and where exactly you're storing the car. I've seen breathable covers work wonders in certain conditions—like garages with moderate humidity levels. Maybe your setup wasn't ideal, or the cover quality varied? Either way, it's probably worth considering multiple factors before ruling them out completely... every situation's a bit different.
I've gotta say, breathable covers aren't always the magic bullet. Had a client store his pristine '68 Mustang under one, thinking it'd be fine—came back after winter to find moisture spots all over the hood. Sometimes, simpler is better... airflow beats fabric every time in my book.
Totally get what you're saying about breathable covers. Had a similar experience myself a couple years back with my '72 Jag. Thought I was doing the right thing by covering it up nice and snug in the garage, but when spring rolled around, I found some nasty condensation marks on the chrome trim. Learned my lesson quick—now I just keep it uncovered with a small fan running nearby to keep air moving gently. Haven't had an issue since.
Honestly, sometimes we overthink storage solutions. A buddy of mine swears by those inflatable car capsules, but that always seemed like overkill to me (and pricey!). Simple airflow and keeping humidity down seems to do the trick just fine. Maybe it's not as fancy or high-tech, but hey, if it works...
Had a similar issue myself with my old Mustang. Thought I'd be clever and bought one of those expensive fitted covers—looked great, felt premium, but after a few months, I found mildew spots on the interior upholstery. Turns out, even the "breathable" fabric wasn't enough to keep moisture from getting trapped inside. Now I just crack the windows slightly and run a dehumidifier nearby. No problems since.
I do wonder though, with these new city rules tightening up storage regulations, how practical are some of these simpler solutions going to be? I mean, if they're pushing for fully enclosed storage or specific approved covers, are we all gonna have to shell out for those inflatable capsules after all? Seems like regulations might be pushing us towards more complicated setups than we really need...
