Storage Reccomendations
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 76
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From: Johnson City TN
Storage Reccomendations
I hate to have to do this by the vette has to go into outside storage over the winter. My bride loves the car but really hates to scrape windows and snow from her daily driver. Anyway, I'm thinking of using the Noah type cover, plugging my side pipes to keep the little critters out, setting a box of mothballs (open) in the engine compartment, and a box or two of baking soda in the interior. Do y'all think I'm on the right track for storage? Any other thoughts as to what to do or other car covers you might reccomend? Thanks in advance!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
To put a car away in storage is always a drama, a car is like a muscle (and a classic is like an old man muscle...), it decreases its efficiency if not in use, said this of course you must have a very good reason for doing this (extreme cold for example), but if you could, in any given 'good' day, open the car at the air and put the engine on for sometime (or, better, take the engine into temperature with a small run around your place) that would change the whole thing...
Last edited by panic; Oct 25, 2007 at 08:01 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
keep the car in the garage and just scrape the frost/ice/snow off her car for her in the mornings before she gets in it!
On the other hand, when we got the second Vette and now both Vettes take up our whole 2-car garage my wife knew she was losing her inside garage parking spot but she also knew there wasn't going to be any arguments about it. The Vettes stay inside and our daily drivers stay outside, period. No discussions on the matter.
Than again, when the weather is bad I end up going out and scraping her car off to get rid of the ice or snow before she leaves and warm it up for her. It makes a bit more work for me on those mornings but it keeps her happy and it keeps me happy since the vettes are inside. Besides, with collector car insurance on both cars it's a REQUIREMENT that they be kept in a secure and locked garage when not in use which is also a a good reason to ever keep the matter from coming up for discussion
On the other hand, when we got the second Vette and now both Vettes take up our whole 2-car garage my wife knew she was losing her inside garage parking spot but she also knew there wasn't going to be any arguments about it. The Vettes stay inside and our daily drivers stay outside, period. No discussions on the matter.
Than again, when the weather is bad I end up going out and scraping her car off to get rid of the ice or snow before she leaves and warm it up for her. It makes a bit more work for me on those mornings but it keeps her happy and it keeps me happy since the vettes are inside. Besides, with collector car insurance on both cars it's a REQUIREMENT that they be kept in a secure and locked garage when not in use which is also a a good reason to ever keep the matter from coming up for discussion
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
On the other hand, when we got the second Vette and now both Vettes take up our whole 2-car garage my wife knew she was losing her inside garage parking spot but she also knew there wasn't going to be any arguments about it. The Vettes stay inside and our daily drivers stay outside, period. No discussions on the matter.
Same here.My recommendation would be to invest in a remote starter for your bride's DD.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
but it that doesn't work I would buy a very good cover for the vette then buy a large plastic tarp to put on top of the cover and tie it down so the car stays dry. Just make sure you don't park it on dirt or grass & for the unwanted pets add mouse special food under the hood in two spots and inside the cabin. I think its D-Con comes in small yellow box.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
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From: Wisconsin
Check the newspaper, I bet there are a ton of people offering cheap boat/car storage. I usually spend $20-25 per month on storage. Well worth it in my opinion. Or find a little ol lady in the neighborhood that has a two car garage, and only one car. I'm sure she'd like an extra $20 bucks a month.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
do NOT use a plastic tarp under any circumstances unless you want to eventually ruin the paint and create rusting on all metal surfaces!
A good quality car cover is meant to breath and allow air in and out and moisture out. A plastic tarp does not allow moisture out, it will actually trap it in under the tarp and wreak havoc with the car and cause surface rusting onn all metal surfaces.
When I got my '78 a little over a year ago it only had 9,400 original miles on it but the previous owner hadn't used the car for years so took it out of the garage, put it in the driveway, and put a plastic tarp over it and it sat for 3 year. The tarp holding in the moisture completelt ruined the original lacquer paint and the entire engine bay and motor was covered in surface rust and oxidation. It took a lot of work to get the car back into the condition that an original less than 10,000 mile car should be in because of that!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Barry is right, but you might consider putting a tarp under the car to keep evaporating ground moisture away. Raise the center about 6 inches to provide drainage away from the center. You will need some kind of critter deterrant onboard.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
My neighbor purchased a car bag (not sure what the technical term is). Your car goes inside of it and then it is sealed. There is a moisture absorb bag that goes in with the vehicle. Not sure if these can be used outside or just inside unheated garages. He kept his vehicle in this bag for 2 years and not a spot of rust on the rotors when he took it out. Just a thought starter.
Darrel1
Darrel1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
My neighbor purchased a car bag (not sure what the technical term is). Your car goes inside of it and then it is sealed. There is a moisture absorb bag that goes in with the vehicle. Not sure if these can be used outside or just inside unheated garages. He kept his vehicle in this bag for 2 years and not a spot of rust on the rotors when he took it out. Just a thought starter.
Darrel1
Darrel1
Nor should a car cover be used outside for long term storage...with the wind over a period of time, it will beat the paint right off the car.
Rent a garage or storage space.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
no, no ,no, no
do NOT use a plastic tarp under any circumstances unless you want to eventually ruin the paint and create rusting on all metal surfaces!
A good quality car cover is meant to breath and allow air in and out and moisture out. A plastic tarp does not allow moisture out, it will actually trap it in under the tarp and wreak havoc with the car and cause surface rusting onn all metal surfaces.
When I got my '78 a little over a year ago it only had 9,400 original miles on it but the previous owner hadn't used the car for years so took it out of the garage, put it in the driveway, and put a plastic tarp over it and it sat for 3 year. The tarp holding in the moisture completelt ruined the original lacquer paint and the entire engine bay and motor was covered in surface rust and oxidation. It took a lot of work to get the car back into the condition that an original less than 10,000 mile car should be in because of that!
do NOT use a plastic tarp under any circumstances unless you want to eventually ruin the paint and create rusting on all metal surfaces!
A good quality car cover is meant to breath and allow air in and out and moisture out. A plastic tarp does not allow moisture out, it will actually trap it in under the tarp and wreak havoc with the car and cause surface rusting onn all metal surfaces.
When I got my '78 a little over a year ago it only had 9,400 original miles on it but the previous owner hadn't used the car for years so took it out of the garage, put it in the driveway, and put a plastic tarp over it and it sat for 3 year. The tarp holding in the moisture completelt ruined the original lacquer paint and the entire engine bay and motor was covered in surface rust and oxidation. It took a lot of work to get the car back into the condition that an original less than 10,000 mile car should be in because of that!
w/you. I was thinking that a good car cover and the tarp on top of it would keep the car nice & dry?? I only suggested this because my vette leaks when it left outside even w/a car cover on it. So when I need to leave it outside for a night or two I use my car cover & tarp it. But I only leave it out for a night or two while I'm working on another project in the garage. May not be good for long term storage. Sorry. 
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 76
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From: Johnson City TN
Thanks for all the input. I hate to put the 74 outside. But it's either that one or my 37 Ford street rod. I travel for work and most times the bad weather hits when I'm away. I am researching a storage place but everything I've found in the area runs about $100 a month for something that's secure. I live in a pretty secluded area and don't have to worry about vandalism, theft, etc. The other reason for keeping it home is that I could go out to my baby from time to time and fire it up, maybe even drive it around if weather permits.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
This one is made for outdoor use
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoon.htm#outdoorcarcoon
I have only tried the indoor version though
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoon.htm#outdoorcarcoon
I have only tried the indoor version though
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
This one is made for outdoor use
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoon.htm#outdoorcarcoon
I have only tried the indoor version though
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/carcoon.htm#outdoorcarcoon
I have only tried the indoor version though
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown Ohio
Store it inside or sell it now, anything else is a losing proposition. I feel your pain, storage is not that expensive and FAAAAR cheaper than the alternative damage your car will inevitably suffer. Dry is key, warm is preferable to reduce condensation and the inevitable rust on metal surfaces. As stated previously a non-breathable cover will trap moisture underneath, more rust. When storing my car during the winter I keep my garage above 32 degrees and cover with simple cotton sheets. For the cost of the car cocoons or any useful alternative you could store your car at a facility for a couple winters with far better results
Last edited by 73-84 IMSA Widebody; Oct 26, 2007 at 01:24 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Place a couple Bounce dryer sheets inside the car to deter rodents. We have a corvette that is awaiting restoration in a warehouse. Mice have been found in the building but never in the car.
Poison is a bad idea unless you like fishing dead critters out of tight places or wondering where that smell is coming from. Use traps instead of poison.
Poison is a bad idea unless you like fishing dead critters out of tight places or wondering where that smell is coming from. Use traps instead of poison.
