Winter storage
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 147
From: Penfield NY
Winter storage
I'm in Rochester, NY. I've always stored my car in my garage, but plan on storing elsewhere this year so I can put my daily driver inside through the Winter. Has anyone ever used one of the self storage units that seem to have sprung up all over now? The newer ones look to be safe and secure and with cement floors and metal doors. It looks like they would be safe from critters, too. Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Most these units are not heated.
I'd hook up a battery tender, and possibly put some moth ***** under the hood and in the interior to keep the 'critters' away. Being a bit of a nut, I'd probably stop in and check things out about once a month.
I'd hook up a battery tender, and possibly put some moth ***** under the hood and in the interior to keep the 'critters' away. Being a bit of a nut, I'd probably stop in and check things out about once a month.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland
I store mine in a non-heated self-storage "one car garage", but it's a locally owned place not a chain. I was told that there is more of a security risk with those places that advertise the first month for a buck as it leads to a potentially less-than-ideal clientele who take advantage of the low first month cost. I don't know if that's true or not, but it sounded reasonable enough for me.
I make sure that the Vette is waxed before putting it away, indoor car cover, fresh oil change, full tank of gas with Stabil, with battery out and put on a tender at home. I use not-too-smelly dryer sheets instead of mothballs, and for good measure, steel wool in the exhaust tips. Overkill? Maybe, but I waited all my life for a car like this so I'm not taking any chances.
The reason I mentioned the "not-too-smelly" is the first year I went with some off brand dryer sheets and I can still smell their scent after nearly two years. I keep thinking that I left one somewhere in the car but I have looked a million times. The smell has just permeated some part of the interior and won't go away. I will likely have to do carpet cleaning at some point just to rid myself of the artificial springtime fragrance.
Good luck.
I make sure that the Vette is waxed before putting it away, indoor car cover, fresh oil change, full tank of gas with Stabil, with battery out and put on a tender at home. I use not-too-smelly dryer sheets instead of mothballs, and for good measure, steel wool in the exhaust tips. Overkill? Maybe, but I waited all my life for a car like this so I'm not taking any chances.
The reason I mentioned the "not-too-smelly" is the first year I went with some off brand dryer sheets and I can still smell their scent after nearly two years. I keep thinking that I left one somewhere in the car but I have looked a million times. The smell has just permeated some part of the interior and won't go away. I will likely have to do carpet cleaning at some point just to rid myself of the artificial springtime fragrance.
Good luck.
Last edited by headhawg; Sep 7, 2013 at 09:39 AM.
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Some good advice here. As long as the facility has a secured perimeter with limited access, it would be better than just leaving the car out in the elements.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 147
From: Penfield NY
If I don't find a secure place for it I'll store it in my own garage again like I always have. I bought a CTS coupe for a dd and would like to have it in the garage at night when Winter comes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Given where you live I understand your desire to have the DD in the garage. I put mine beside my garage under an outdoor cover. That way I can keep an eye on it and it's less likely to get messed with.
Stabil into tank and fill with 93
Clean and dry the car well
I leave the battery in it and connected.
Hook up a Battery Tender Plus
Mothballs around the engine compartment
and a tray of Decon just for good measure
Steel wool in the pipes
Bounce Dryer sheets inside
put outdoor cover on and tie it down
Good luck
Stabil into tank and fill with 93
Clean and dry the car well
I leave the battery in it and connected.
Hook up a Battery Tender Plus
Mothballs around the engine compartment
and a tray of Decon just for good measure
Steel wool in the pipes
Bounce Dryer sheets inside
put outdoor cover on and tie it down
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I store mine in a climate controlled storage facility about 1 mile from our house. It stays in the mid 50's during the winter and upper 70's during the summer. I love it! My car stays so clean that I don't even cover it, and I haven't seen any indications of pesky rodents. I keep the unit year 'round, even though I typically keep my car at home from May-October. The nice thing for me is that it's so close to home. I'm doing a major clean up in my garage, so I put it back at the storage unit for a few days so I don't have to worry about it. Security is also great. 
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
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From: Western NY
Have you picked out a storage facility yet? Brennan Autobody, the Corvette repair shop on 104 in Ontario has a storage facility adjacent to their shop. I'm pretty sure they keep some of their own cars in there, as well as rent out space....
