|
|
| Author |
Message |
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:40 am Post subject: Winter's coming! What's the best way to wrap your classic? |
 |
|
I've read a lot of different articles but still haven't found a clear concensus for covering a car that has to sit outside all winter without spending a fortune.
I know, I know, rent a garage. But I've got one and still another 3 classics to house without the budget to do it.
I've tried breathable covers but of course they're not waterproof, water-resistant maybe, but it still gets in especially when the snow has been sitting on it!
Waterproof covers don't allow air to move around so they're probably not the best idea either.
Put blankets over the car and then a waterproof maybe?
Are there any tent-like products that aren't too expensive and not too intrusive? The residential car park spaces aren't all that wide.
Anyone got any better ideas?
Regards
Stuart |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Fluffle-Valve
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 521
Location: At my computer in a bungalow in Duston, Northampton.
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This is what you want...
There are alsorts on the market. They're called car shelters.
_________________
 Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gillberry
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 702
Location: Norwich
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Fluffle-Valve wrote: | This is what you want...
There are alsorts on the market. They're called car shelters. |
That looks great but a little expensive I would guess and probably too large for my space. Ideal though, I'll have a look around for something similar but cheaper. Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Was it fixed permanently to the drive? Wondering how it would fare on a gusty day otherwise. Getting more in my price range tho |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22778
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'd avoid anything that doesn't allow air to circulate over the surface of the car. My old Austin 10/4 had been stored outside for a very long time, I think the only reason it had survived was that two heavy tarps had been put over it. The paint finish wasn't too clever so this was ok. Any condensation formed between the two covers, rather than between the cover and the car, so fortunately the car stayed dry.
RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gillberry
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 702
Location: Norwich
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| we were going to have some brackets put on one end to fix it to the floor, we liked it as that if you had a nice dry day you could just fold it back for some fresh air, we first saw one years ago near us (it is still going stong) and it has material cover I think this company does other covers as well, it is also easy to get the car out of if needed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dirty Habit
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 398
Location: West Midlands, UK
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I had one of those and they have their good and bad points.
Condensation can be a problem even though there is plenty of air space around the car. I think it is the plastic woven material used that causes the problem. Not too bad if the car is used regularly. You would need to fix it to the ground...it will move a lot. Even if fixed to the ground around the base frame, they do flex quite a bit, so a side wind could have it touching the sides of the car if it is a snug fit.
_________________
1964 International Harvester |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm not going to be able to fix anything to the ground as I'm sharing a residential car park, lease wouldn't allow that.
I need to call NASA, maybe they've invented a breathable material that is actually fully waterproof and keeps your car warm at night too...  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nic Jarman
Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 1031
Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Gortex with a liner.
_________________
1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
52classic
Joined: 02 Oct 2008
Posts: 493
Location: Cardiff.
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Unless you can afford a top quality cover then IMHO it's better not to bother.
At least one of our fleet has to winter outside every year and my regime has been to paint all the chrome, all panel joints and slam panels with Waxoyl.
Interior gets covered with dust sheets especially the parcel shelves and dash top to protect against winter sun.
A thorough wash in paraffin at springtime is very theraputic and returns the car to reasonable appearance.
In the past I have had bad experiences with covers which contact the car causing microblistering and a 'blanket layer of any kind is counter productive except for those with a heated garage. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 52classic wrote: | Unless you can afford a top quality cover then IMHO it's better not to bother.
. |
I'm inclined to agree with you after reading your and everyone's comments. There seems to be no way to keep the car dry and aired at the same time with a cover to suit my budget. And at the very least I've found they chafe against the paintwork in places.
I might just use a cover during the snowy season though. I'm convinced that last year's bout damaged my paintwork when it thawed. At least, shortly afterwards the lacquer on the roof peeled so badly I had to have it repainted so I put it down to that.
Thanks for all your advice folks!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
buzzy bee
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Would finding somewhere to store the car(s) undercover, even locally in someones unused garage, just over the winter be an idea?
Sorry if I am talking rubbish, and I know it costs, but just for the worst of winter, it may work out cheaper than the damage the winter weather may cause, long term?
Cheers
Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stuart911
Joined: 13 Sep 2010
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| buzzy bee wrote: | Would finding somewhere to store the car(s) undercover, even locally in someones unused garage, just over the winter be an idea?
|
Yes it would be great but apart from the cost which is quite high where I live and I am on a budget (I already rent a garage for a Porsche, also owned and maintained on a budget) the car is large (Mercedes 500SEC) so not sure if it would fit and as it's my daily driver it'd be a bother getting in and out even if it did fit. So it has to weather the weather! Waxoyl or vaseline over the chrome at least may be the answer and regular cleaning. It's not as fragile as earlier cars though I must say.
Last winter I had 6 cars, another Merc (the one that lost it's lacquer, sold last month), a 62 Mini, a 64 Austin 1100 and a 69 Austin 1300. Needless to say, the early cars suffered the most and have now gone, I don't mean deceased!!, they were cleaned up and sold. But I hated it when I went away for a few weeks and came back to see the ravages of winter. I have a soft spot for the 60s cars but I don't like seeing the deterioration. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
baconsdozen
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Under the car.
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
I have to leave my vehicles only a few yards from the sea and they spend the winter getting covered in salt spray.I've found the best stuff on chrome etc is Eureka Fluid film but any heavy oil or grease has to be better than nothing.
I think its better if the wind can get round them and dry them out rather than under a cover that encourages condensation.I like the idea of the liquid waxes that should flow into nooks and crannies and offer some sort of extra protection.
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
