Rust Prevention for car stored outside
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 148
Likes: 15
From: New Jersey
Rust Prevention for car stored outside
I have an 82 and no Garage living in New Jersey the winters can get brutal
I cover the car when the weather is bad but im concerned about rust
any tips on maintenance would be appreciated I put the crystal bins inside for the humidity should I apply anything on the frame on the window trims Etc
am I overthinking this
I run it once a week
Body Shop said to remove the cover immediately after rain stops
Thanks in advance this fourum is always so helpfull
I cover the car when the weather is bad but im concerned about rust
any tips on maintenance would be appreciated I put the crystal bins inside for the humidity should I apply anything on the frame on the window trims Etc
am I overthinking this
I run it once a week
Body Shop said to remove the cover immediately after rain stops
Thanks in advance this fourum is always so helpfull
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,133
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
what do you have it parked on? running it once a month is doing more harm then good unless your driving it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,133
Likes: 9,445
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Having it on pavement is a great thing. Your worst enemy is water leaks which plagues all Corvette owners. Having water leaks inside the cabin and not having a way to dry will lead to lots of rust problems. So getting a plastic car cover under your regular car cover would help that. And after foul weather letting it all dry would be good.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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trating the inside and outside of the frame with a rust preventative is alwasys a good idea. And parking on anything other than pavement and concrete is a bad idea. The ground just leaked humidity all the time and anything parked on gravel or grass just rusts immediately. I have a 2001 F250 that had no rust for 15 years, while living out in Utah, salted roads and all. I moved back east, live only 1.5 miles from work, dont drive it anywhere and have a dirt driveway and 5 years later the frame is solid rust....even the rear brake lines rusted completely through. Even if you put plywood on the ground then a blue tarp , it would be better than nothing
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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depends on the treatment, oil based stuff you just spray on the surface and it soaks in and prevents further rusting. The paint style has to be prepped first like sand blasting or wire wheel. The aerosol styles you can usually jack up the car and they come with a long spray straw to get into the frame.
My buddy likes fluid film, I need to buy a big kit like this myself
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112271354573
My buddy likes fluid film, I need to buy a big kit like this myself
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112271354573
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Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
cut a piece of plastic from a painter's tarp or something. put it over the t-tops and windshield and cowl.down to the doors below window glass back to rear windshield. then put the car cover on.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Its a great Idea for rain storms but remember that humidity will cause a dew to collect on the underside of solid materials as the evaporating moisture from the ground rises. If you do use a solid tarp, check it after heavy rain days or when theres a lot of humidity. If you remember when the sun hits the grass or pavement in the morning and you see what looks like steam rising off the ground, that will collect under and vapor blocker. Or spend the money on one of those car cocoons. They use electricity but are vapor proof. Even a really expensive Goretex like car cover will eventually leak because it touches the car. IF you use goretex for wet weatherr sports like hiking, skiing or kayaking you'll know what I mean
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,744
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From: Akron OH
You could also find someone locally to oil spray the frame of your Corvette. They'll put your car on a lift and put a wand sprayer through the factory holes in the frame and spray the inner frame with oil. It will drip oil for a few weeks but this a quick and fairly inexpensive option for you. I used to have this done back in the 1980s to my 1970 Chevelle and 1972 LeMans that I drove in the winters to project them from road salt.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 252
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From: State Of No Return
Personally, I spray all my cars with Fluid Film. I do have a yard, garage and a compressor so doing it myself is not a big deal, but if you go to the Fluid Film site you can probably find a shop in your area that provides the service. The down side is that it has to be done annually, but if it keeps your car from rotting out then it's just another toy expense that you should build into your budget.
I used to spray the used motor oil cut with diesel annually on the undercarriage, but that was a messier proposition in applying it as well as living with it afterwards. In today's "green" world I don't think that you'll find too many garages offering that service anymore, but if you do it should be cheaper than the Fluid Film.
The fluid film is just a biodegradable wax that will wash away with time. After motor oil or Fluid Film is sprayed on your undercarriage, it will drip the excess onto the ground. It's no fun to have your parking space filled with lil puddles of oil, but it's no big deal with the Fluid Film.
EITHER is 1000 times better than what you're currently doing.......
I used to spray the used motor oil cut with diesel annually on the undercarriage, but that was a messier proposition in applying it as well as living with it afterwards. In today's "green" world I don't think that you'll find too many garages offering that service anymore, but if you do it should be cheaper than the Fluid Film.
The fluid film is just a biodegradable wax that will wash away with time. After motor oil or Fluid Film is sprayed on your undercarriage, it will drip the excess onto the ground. It's no fun to have your parking space filled with lil puddles of oil, but it's no big deal with the Fluid Film.
EITHER is 1000 times better than what you're currently doing.......
Last edited by mskc3; Apr 26, 2020 at 10:53 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
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From: Maryland
I've applied POR-15 to exposed frame parts and then used the Eastwick interior frame rust prevention spray to protect the interior part of the frame. It takes some preparation and time to properly apply POR-15,
but if you've ever used it you will see how well it coats the metal and how difficult it is to remove. (Wear protective clothes, gloves, and a face shield or it will cling to you for days as well). I've done this in the past for
my trucks as well - it really does work very well if you take the time to prepare the surface and not hurry the application. If you don't have the space or time to do this, maybe you can find a shop that will do it for you
for a one time expense?
That said, I agree with earlier comments to get it onto a hard surface like concrete or blacktop if you can. Parking it on grass or dirt surface is asking for trouble...
but if you've ever used it you will see how well it coats the metal and how difficult it is to remove. (Wear protective clothes, gloves, and a face shield or it will cling to you for days as well). I've done this in the past for
my trucks as well - it really does work very well if you take the time to prepare the surface and not hurry the application. If you don't have the space or time to do this, maybe you can find a shop that will do it for you
for a one time expense?
That said, I agree with earlier comments to get it onto a hard surface like concrete or blacktop if you can. Parking it on grass or dirt surface is asking for trouble...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The 'capsule' with some desiccant packs laid inside would be the best way to store a car outside for an extended period of time. I'm not sure how to get adequate protection on it outdoors when you use it regularly. Tough situation. Some type of undercoating, I'm thinking....but more permanent than Fluid Film.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If youre parking on the st just take the suggestion of spraying oil everywhere, inside the frame rails
As said it will drip for a few days but its decent protection and cheap
As said it will drip for a few days but its decent protection and cheap
Pro
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 696
Likes: 8
You'll have to watch it like a hawk. Car covers will trap soaking wet condensation due to sudden temperature shifts for days. This is worse than leaving it exposed as the moisture, literally dripping wet, will be on everything, places where rain or snow can never reach.
If you care about the car at all, find a insulated storage option.
If you care about the car at all, find a insulated storage option.