When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My friend is storing his vette for the winter by first using a basic fabric cover, and then covering that in a large tarp and using bricks to hold it down. He says it keeps the car extremely dry. I have heard people not like tarps but this does not seem like a bad idea.
What do you think? Good or bad for the car?
Better than using just a quality cover?
I don't like a tarp anywhere near the paint on a car if it is even remotely decent. If there is a quality cloth cover under it, it may be OK, but otherwise they will rub and scuff the paint from movement in the rain, snow, and wind.
Parked on dirt (gravel) with a moisture barrier cover is a recipe for significant corrosion formation on aluminum and ferrous components. The ground is warmer than the components, and moisture will condense on the colder metals.
I have stored cars long-term on dirt, but I laid down a tarp on the dirt, put the car on it and folded up the 4 sides. Then covered the car, overlapping the first tarp so water couldn't get in the ground tarp and under the car. Several years later, I was pleased with the results, there was very little deterioration.
So if this car was parked on asphalt, perhaps it would be a better strategy?
If I couldn’t keep the car inside I wouldn’t have it. He doesn’t know anyone anywhere he can store the car ?
I am with you on that, but both me and him have encountered a situation where we will have to store the cars outside for a bit before we can get another garage. It hurts to have the cars outside, but we’re trying our best to protect them. I bought a $500 coverking cover that has been impressive so far.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The last thing I'd do is put on that tarp. The only thing it's going to do is trap moisture.
A good outdoor car cover will breathe and can be water resistant too...
My friend is storing his vette for the winter by first using a basic fabric cover, and then covering that in a large tarp
Your friend should just get a good fabric cover and drive it all winter. No reason not to, just don't drive it after a snow event until road salt has been washed away. Was 37 degrees today and had to run to Home Depot and since I wasn't needing 2x4's I jumped it the Corvette for a fun ride. Easy decision, take the crew cab Ram or the Corvette.
Winter Storage
