so the washing doesn't damage the paint. There are many tiny details to hone in on. Should you hand wash or is a car wash okay? How hard is too hard when it comes to water? What kind of cloth/soap ...

A car cover protects your car from ultraviolet radiation, bird droppings, sun fading, even acid rain, but its use can have a dark side as well. A poorly fitting cover can do more damage than no cover.