THSCC Forums

Hey Folks,

For reasons too long to explain, I wanted to get opinions on the long term adverse effects of storing a car outside under a car cover. This question has two parts--

1) If I get the right car cover, even if it's rather expensive, is it possible to store a nice car outside for several years potentially, without having significant degradation in the paint and it getting all scratched up from the cover? One challenge I know is to balance the need to keep the car dry, but still have a breathable, custom fit car cover. It sounds like many of today's modern car cover fabrics take car of that. Will the paint deterioriate much more rapidly under a car cover than in a garage?

2) The second question is... what car cover would you suggest?

Mr. Whitney started a thread on a similar issue here:

http://www.thsccforums.com/phpBB/viewto ... bile+cover

but he was looking for a cheap solution. In this case, I'm looking for a really, really good solution, even if it cost a little more.

So, for those of you that have stored a car outside, what have you seen as the downsides? Does the paint bubble or deteriorate if moisture gets trapped? Do you have mold growing in between the cover and the car? Do you wish you'd never done this? Do you pull the cover off and find that the car is filthy from trapped dust and dirt??

All thoughts welcome.

Miles

Long-Term Storage: (nice article to give you things to think about)

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tec ... orage.html


Covers:

Coverbond 4 Car Cover, Wolf Noah Barrier ($150 fit to your car, 4 layer, the better covers)
CarCapsule = $400 (if you're that serious about the storage conditions)

_________________
http://www.greywinds.com

one of the things i've read about causing problems with "sitting" cars outside is pests.. mice etc nesting in the car and such.. engine bay is easily accessable by most pests and can wreak havoc with wiring among other things. owning an outdoor cat is usually a recommendation although usually as a joke.. but it probably would make a difference in the number of pests..

Can't recall where I've seen it, but I think there is a Big Plastic Bag you can buy for a car. Seriously. They seal. Use one with a lighter cover for UV protection. Probably find something on Google.

If I *had* to store a car I liked outside, I'd get one of those $300 carports (or even a spare EZ-up). The car port could be sold when you're done for very little loss.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

My thoughts as well, as far as the ezup or "pole" garage kits

_________________
91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

Miles,

Is there any way you can get a storage shed big enough for the car (assuming this would be on your property)? Even if you have to push the car in and out because there is no room to open the door. If so, this would be the best solution short of a real garage. Anything else you do will be an attempt at approximating the function of a shed.

I'm sure you would need a breathable type cover. My experience with the types available in the mid 80's was that they did let some water and dirt reach the paint. I never left them on long enough to see what long term effect they would have since I "assumed" that even with the three layer fancy type that the dirt and moisture would be a problem in the long term.

What type of car and what condition is the paint now? Would the car be under a lot of trees (leaves, bird dropings, etc.) or more out in the sun? Would you be able to drive it once in a while and wash it once in a while?
If so, you might be better off using some sort of sun protection INSIDE the car to protect the dash, seats, carpet and simply let the outside take care of itself . . . especially assuming it isn't a brand new paint job and/or you don't need to hide it for security reasons. We still have our 1984 Nissan, rarely drive it, and leave it uncovered outside. Ditto for the camper van. Other than a little "algae" and other minor stuff, the exteriors seem to be holding up well in an almost full sun environment.

If "security" on your property is the issue, you might do some sort of "fence" to screen it from the street.

If a "full cover" is really needed, I agree with the portable carport/garage idea, fully secured against the wind.

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

FYI,

Today's Pep Boys flyer has the Garage in a box advertised for $349. 10'x20'x8'. I suspect the fabric will resist sun damage roughly as long as a blue plastic tarp does and maybe as long as a good cover . . . Anybody have first hand experience?

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

There are many good articles on the topic but you may want contact
Dr Randy Swartz. He had a Milano stored in one of those temporary
soft cover car storge shelters (big sleeping bag for cars?). He has
posted something about swaping a steering rackon a Miata about
a month ago if you search the mail list and see if he wants to sell it.
It would fit in a single car driveway.

That would solve the paint deteriation issue and keep it sealed
from the elements and critters.

The dehumidifer bags, believe they are called dissitant(?)
work and will prevent things like rusting on the instrument benzles
and musstyness from growth.

Use a couple of cans of WD40 on the motor ,chasis, suspension, etc.

_________________
Mark Vitacco
THSCC TT Chairman
mvitacco@bellsouth.net

Since moving to NC I have been forced to use a car cover. I learned to leave a 1/2" gap in both driver & pasenger windows to allow the car to 'breathe'. This allows any moisture that gets in (through all my rust holes) to evaporate. Otherwise the inside turns into a greenhouse. The small gap will not let water into the car as the rain runs down the cover. A car with smooth window/door may not work in this manner.