The Empire Covers Information Center |
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Car Cover Resource Guide
- How do I put my cover on?
- How do I clean my cover?
- How do I take cover off?
- What happens if my cover rips?
- What if my antenna doesn’t retract or remove?
- How do I install grommets?
- How do I use the Cable & Lock Kit?
- What Fabrics are your covers made of?
- How do I register my warranty?
- How long is my warranty?
- How do I clean my custom floor mats?
- Will my cover last in extreme weather?
- Do your covers have mirror pockets?
- Have more questions?
- How do I put my cover on?
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- Identify the front and rear of your cover: the front is marked "FRONT", and the rear has a loop sewn into the hem.
- Place the loop around the license plate or any other object protruding from the rear of your vehicle. You can also place your loop inside the trunk, which you should THEN close to secure.
- Next, cover you vehicle from back to front, securing firmly and evenly over the front and rear bumpers. Be sure to secure your cover with grommets and the Cable & Lock kit.
Back to Top - How do I clean my cover?
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We recommend spot washing your cover with diluted mild detergent in cold or lukewarm water.
Your cover can also be machine washed-- however, you must use a front load triple commercial washer with cold water, 1/4 cup mild liquid laundry detergent. RINSE THOUROUGHLY. NEVER PUT YOUR COVER IN A DRYER. Line or air dry your cover.
Back to Top - How do I take cover off?
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When removing your cover, release both ends and fold toward the middle of the car (this fold should approximately be twelve inches wide). Fold the cover three times at the center of the car. Removing your cover this way will allow you to remove your cover quickly, and assist in fitting it back into its included storage bag.
Back to Top - What happens if my cover rips?
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If your cover rips under normal use, within the first 30 days we can exchange the item for you; outside of that 30 days you will be able to claim your warranty and the item will be replaced.
Back to Top - What if my antenna doesn't retract or remove?
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Your cover should have come with a small patch made of the same material, with an adhesive backing and a perforated hole in the center. This will allow you to create a reinforced hole in your cover for your antenna to come through.
- Begin covering your vehicle with the cover you purchased, but stop at the antenna.
- Mark the spot on your cover.
- Apply the adhesive-backed antenna patch to that spot (on top of the cover) then cut a hole smaller than the diameter of the perforated hole of the antenna patch for your antenna to come through.
Back to Top - How do I install my grommets?
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Grommets should be used in conjunction with the Cable & Lock kit to secure your cover during high winds or storms, or for long periods of time.
Your Grommets come as two separate pieces that lock together. There is a male piece and a female piece. You will snap the grommets together through the cover material, which requires some force. To accomplish this, you may need to use a pair of wrenches, although it is possible to do without. We have illustrated instructions available upon request.
- Identify the male and female parts of your grommet.
- Position the male grommet part on the inside of your cover, and the female part of your grommet on the outside of your cover, leaving a small excess of cover material between the two.
- Using a good amount of force, snap the two pieces together. You may need to use a pair of wrenches (one to stabilize, one to apply force) in order to accomplish this, although it is possible to snap them together without using any tools.
- Once the grommet pieces have snapped securely together, puncture the cover material with scissors or a sharp edge, being sure to leave some of the cover material around the wall of the male part of the grommet.
- Repeat as necessary with any additional grommets you wish to install. To use with a Cable & Lock Kit, you will need to install grommets as PAIRS, and loop the Cable & Lock Kit through each grommet hole.
Click here to View our Simple Grommet Instructions (PDF).
Back to Top - How do I use the Cable & Lock kit?
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Thread the plastic-coated steel wire underneath the vehicle through the grommets. Pull the smaller loop of the cable through the larger loop and use the lock to secure it. If you have any questions about using your Cable & Lock kit, please call us at 888-872-6855.
Back to Top - What Fabrics are your covers made of?
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We have 5 distinct fabrics for our covers. They are as follows:
- Spun-Bond Polypropylene: A space-age material perfect for car protection, this ultra lightweight and yet weather resistant material is one layer of non-abrasive synthetic fibers.
- SFS (Spun-Bond Polypropalyne, Film, Spun-Bond Polypropalyne): A breathable, 3-layer material that has been UV treated. A soft interior layer prevents scratches and abrasion. We offer different grades of SFS materials for different environmental applications.
- Endura-Plus: A non-abrasive, water-resistant, 3-layer fabric, with high sun, rain, and dust protection. Double-stitched seams and extra thick, breathable material provide strong water-resistance.
- DuPont Tyvek™: An Ultra-lightweight, super soft material with very high sun resistance and double stitched seams. Made in the USA by DuPont, the Tyvek material is completely recyclable and will keep your vehicle up to 30 degrees cooler in the hot sun.
- Polyester: A high quality, breathable, and durable material with superior sun, rain, and snow resistance with double stitched seams to ensure long-life.
- Nylon: Nylon by definition is a tough yet lightweight synthetic material that was developed as a replacement for silk. We use high-quality nylon with superior sun, rain, snow and dust protection and double-stitched seams to ensure long life and durability.
- TAFFETA: A strong woven material that has been UV treated for weather resistance. This anti-static material provides non-abrasive, almost silky car protection.
Back to Top - How Do I register my warranty?
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If you bought an Empire Product, you can easily register your warranty by filling out the warranty sheet that was shipped with your item and mailing it to the manufacturer, or by visiting the manufacturer's website.
For all Lloyd Products you do not need to register to claim your warranty.
To claim your warranty on a Lloyd Mats product, excluding the Heavy Plush Mat, contact us directly and we will process any warranty issues for you. A mat which exhibits defects in design, workmanship or materials during the time of your specific warranty is eligible for a warranty replacement claim. In the rare case where Lloyd would need the mat back, a call tag would be sent to you. If there is a problem with fit, it is recommended that the customer provide a photograph along with their warranty claim.
If you purchased a Heavy Plush Mat, you would need to contact Lloyd Mats if there were defects in design, workmanship, materials or if the mats wear through the backing during the 10 year warranty period.
Back to Top - How long is my warranty?
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Warranty Length varies depending on the product. Below is a list of products we sell and the warranties that are offered:
Vehicle Covers:- The Max Cover: Lifetime
- The Sunguard Cover: 10 Years
- The Empire Waterproof: 10 Years
- The Premier Tyvek: 5 Years
- The Empire Deluxe: 5 Years
- The Empire Standard: 3 Years
- ATV Covers: 2 Years
- Snowmobile Covers: 2 Years
- The Standard Motorcycle Cover: 2 years
- The VIPS Motorcycle Cover: 2 years
- The Waterproof Motorcycle Cover: 2 Years
- The Basic Boat Cover: 1 Year
- The Standard Boat Cover: 2 years
- The Deluxe Boat Cover: 3 years
- The Sunguard Boat Cover: 7 years
- The Ultimat Floor Mat: 5 Years
- The Rubbertite™ Floor Mat: 5 Years
- The Heavy Plush Floor Mat: 10 Years
- The Luxe Floor Mat: Lifetime*
- The TruBerber™ Floor Mat: 5 Years
- The Protector Floor Mat:5 Years
(*The Luxe Mats are warranted for as long as the original mat buyer owns their vehicle.)
If you are unsure about the warranty of a product, please call us at 888-872-6855.
Back to Top - How do I clean my Custom Floor Mats?
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All of the carpet floor mats (like the Ultimat, TruBerber™, Heavy Plush and Luxe Mats) should be treated like house carpet. Simple vacuuming is often the best solution for any carpet. Small particles of dust or sand can work their way deep into the carpet fibers. These particles may have sharp edges and are very abrasive to the carpet fibers. Therefore, vacuuming up these particles would extend the life of the carpet mat.
If any liquid is spilled onto one of the carpet mats, it should be blotted up quickly before the liquid has a chance to dry. Most liquids will not leave a stain if they are taken care of right away, however you can treat the spill with a small amount of water and a mild detergent if the spill is starting to stain. Liquids that contain Red dye #3, found in things like fruit punch and other red drinks, will almost always leave a stain and should be treated immediately. If there is a dirt or grease stain on your carpet mat, you can use any commercial cleaner like Resolve or Woolite. You can also steam clean or shampoo your mats, but be sure to follow the manufacturers’ guidelines on the carpet shampoo.
NOTE: Never soak or submerge your carpet floor mats, always dry the mats flat after cleaning and NEVER put floor mats in the washing machine.
For rubber mats (like the Rubbertite™ and the Protector Mats) these can be easily cleaned with a hose. Just spray the mats until all debris and dirt is cleared from the wells in the mat, allow mats to dry before returning them to your car.
Back to Top - Will my cover last in extreme weather?
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We offer a variety of outdoor covers that excel in different environments so that you're covered no matter what the weather. Your cover should withstand just about anything Mother Nature can dish out, however there are a few instances where you should be more alert and take extra precautions.
High Winds: If you are located in a high wind area, make sure to tie down your cover using the grommets provided. You should also purchase a Cable & Lock kit for added security. Do not rely solely on the elasticized bottom of you cover to provide maximum protection from strong wind.
Freezing Weather: In unusual circumstances, a layer of ice may form between your vehicle and the cover. This layer of ice must be thawed before removing your cover. You may expedite this process by pouring warm water over the cover and gently lifting it as the ice begins to melt. If any resistance occurs, repeat the process.
Extreme Heat: In areas that are known for very high temperatures and harsh sun (like Southern California, Arizona, and Texas), some cover fabrics are not appropriate or effective and may in fact melt under such circumstances. Before purchasing a cover, speak with an Empire Sales Representative about which cover would be right for you.
Back to Top - Do your covers have mirror pockets?
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No, our covers will accommodate your mirrors without pocketing them. This ensures that you will get maximum durability from your cover, as mirror pockets are unneccessary and are usually the first part of a car cover to deteriorate or rip.
Back to Top - Have more Questions?
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For more questions concerning orders, shipping, customer service and hours of operation, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that was not answered please give us a call at 888-872-6855.
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