Covers & Protection

About Covers & Protection

Workshop covers and protection equipment are essential for maintaining professional standards during repair, painting, and maintenance work. Whether you're working in an automotive garage, body shop, or general workshop, protecting vehicles and surfaces from overspray, dust, scratches, and contaminants is crucial for delivering quality results and maintaining customer satisfaction. Our range of covers and protection solutions includes magnetic wing covers, masking paper dispensers, and mobile trolley systems designed to streamline your workflow whilst safeguarding valuable equipment and vehicles.

Professional masking paper dispensers and workshop covers save time and reduce waste on every job. Rather than wrestling with unwieldy rolls of paper or struggling to position protective covers, purpose-built dispensers and magnetic covers allow you to work efficiently and confidently. From wall-mounted units that keep your workspace organised to mobile trolley systems that bring protection materials exactly where you need them, these tools represent a smart investment for any professional workshop. The magnetic and suction grip covers are particularly valued by automotive technicians for protecting paintwork during engine bay work, whilst masking paper dispensers are indispensable in body shops and spray booths.

Quality protection equipment isn't just about preventing damage – it's about working faster and more professionally. With the right covers and dispensers in place, you can transition between jobs more quickly, reduce material waste, and present a more organised, competent image to your customers. Our selection from trusted brands like Sealey ensures you're getting workshop-proven solutions that stand up to daily professional use.

Jargon Buster

• Magnetic Wing Cover: A protective cover featuring magnetic strips or backing that adheres securely to vehicle bodywork, typically used to protect wings, bonnets, and doors during mechanical work in engine bays or when working near painted surfaces.
• Masking Paper Dispenser: A device designed to hold rolls of masking paper and facilitate clean, straight dispensing during spray painting, refinishing, or general protection applications. Available in wall-mount, floor-mount, and mobile trolley configurations.
• Overspray Protection: Materials and covers used to prevent paint, primer, lacquer, or other sprayed substances from contaminating surfaces beyond the intended work area, essential in body shops and spray booths.
• Suction Grip Cover: A protective cover utilising suction cups rather than magnets to adhere to surfaces, useful for non-ferrous materials like aluminium panels, glass, or plastic components where magnetic attachment won't work.
• Trolley System: A mobile stand or cart that holds multiple rolls of masking paper or protective materials, allowing easy transportation around the workshop and convenient access to different paper widths.
• Workshop Wing Cover: Industry term for protective covers specifically designed to shield vehicle wings (front panels) during mechanical repairs, preventing scratches, dents, and contamination from tools, fasteners, and fluids.

Who Uses Covers & Protection?

Professional covers and protection equipment are essential for a wide range of trades and industries:

• Motor Mechanics and Automotive Technicians – protecting vehicles during servicing and repair work
• Panel Beaters and Body Shop Technicians – masking and protecting during refinishing operations
• Spray Painters and Refinishers – controlling overspray and protecting adjacent surfaces
• Vehicle Restoration Specialists – safeguarding valuable classic and vintage vehicles
• MOT Testers and Garage Owners – maintaining professional standards and customer confidence
• Commercial Fleet Maintenance Teams – protecting company vehicles during routine servicing
• Mobile Mechanics – portable protection solutions for on-site repairs
• Engineering Workshops – protecting machinery and equipment during fabrication or painting
• Maintenance Contractors – general surface protection during building and facilities work

How to Choose the Right Covers & Protection

Selecting appropriate covers and protection equipment depends on your specific working environment and requirements:

Type of Work: Consider whether you primarily need vehicle protection during mechanical work (magnetic wing covers), spray painting protection (masking paper systems), or both. Automotive workshops typically benefit from both types, whilst general engineering facilities may focus more on masking paper dispensers.

Workshop Layout: Wall-mounted masking paper dispensers save valuable floor space in compact workshops and keep materials neatly organised. Floor-mounted or trolley systems offer greater flexibility and are ideal for larger facilities where you need to move materials between different work bays or spray booths.

Material Compatibility: Magnetic covers work brilliantly on steel vehicle panels but won't adhere to aluminium, fibreglass, or carbon fibre components. For modern vehicles with mixed materials, look for covers with suction grip options or combination magnetic and suction designs.

Paper Roll Capacity: Professional masking paper dispensers accommodate various roll widths, typically from 300mm to 900mm. Multi-roll trolley systems allow you to stock different widths simultaneously, eliminating time wasted changing rolls for different applications.

Durability and Build Quality: Workshop protection equipment takes daily abuse from tools, solvents, and heavy use. Look for robust steel construction, quality magnetic or suction mechanisms, and easy-clean surfaces that resist paint and chemical contamination.

Mobility Requirements: If you regularly move between different work areas or need to take equipment to vehicles rather than bringing vehicles to a fixed location, wheeled trolley systems with sturdy castors offer significant productivity advantages.

Popular Accessories

• Masking Paper Rolls – replacement rolls in various widths (300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 900mm)
• Masking Tape – assorted widths for securing paper and creating clean paint lines
• Plastic Sheeting – large-format protection for floors, equipment, and extended coverage areas
• Masking Film and Foam – pre-taped protective film for quick vehicle coverage
• Protective Mats – anti-slip mats for placing under wing covers to prevent marking
• Paper Cutters and Dispensing Blades – replacement cutting systems for dispensers
• Adhesive Removers – for cleaning residue from masking tape and protective films
• Seat Covers and Steering Wheel Protectors – complementary interior protection for customer vehicles
• Paint Mixing and Spray Equipment – HVLP spray guns, mixing cups, and respirators

Frequently Asked Questions

Will magnetic wing covers scratch vehicle paintwork?

Quality magnetic wing covers from reputable manufacturers feature soft, non-abrasive backing materials specifically designed to protect paintwork. However, always ensure both the vehicle surface and the cover are clean and free from grit or debris before application. Some professionals place a microfibre cloth beneath the cover for extra protection on show-quality vehicles.

What width of masking paper do I need for automotive work?

Most automotive applications use 600mm or 900mm wide masking paper, which provides efficient coverage for vehicle panels and spray booth work. Narrower 300mm or 450mm rolls are useful for smaller components and detail work. Multi-roll trolley dispensers allow you to keep several widths readily available, selecting the most efficient size for each specific job.

Can I mount a masking paper dispenser on any wall?

Wall-mounted dispensers require secure fixing to solid walls or properly studded partition walls using appropriate fixings. The dispenser must support the weight of full paper rolls (which can be substantial with 900mm rolls) plus the pulling force during dispensing. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and use suitable wall anchors for your wall type.

How do suction grip covers differ from magnetic ones?

Suction grip covers use vacuum cups to adhere to surfaces, making them suitable for non-ferrous materials like aluminium panels, plastic components, and glass where magnetic covers won't work. Modern vehicles increasingly use aluminium bonnets and wings, making suction or combination magnetic/suction covers more versatile. The trade-off is that suction grips may require occasional repositioning during extended jobs.

Are trolley-mounted masking paper dispensers worth the investment?

For busy body shops and spray painting operations, mobile trolley dispensers significantly improve workflow efficiency by bringing materials directly to each job rather than walking back and forth to a fixed dispenser. They typically accommodate multiple roll widths simultaneously and reduce paper waste by eliminating the need to pre-cut lengths. The productivity gains and reduced material waste typically justify the investment within a few months for professional operations.