Winter storage question - Window
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Winter storage question - Window
Hi all,
I'm getting ready to put my new-to-me 2005 convertible away for the winter later next month, so getting my act together now in preparation. I may be overthinking this, but it's my first 'Vette and I'd rather be sure about things.
I've read through a few checklists and know about using Sta-Bil in the gas, increasing tire pressure, using Damp-rid, moth ***** to keep mice away, bought a good cover, etc. I will be storing the car in a storage unit with no access to electricity, so will be disconnecting the battery.
I am assuming I should leave the hood fully closed and latched. If that's the case, come Spring I will need to open the driver side door using the release inside the trunk. As part of the storage routine next month, should I try to keep the drivers window down a bit to be able to open the door in the Spring? If so, would I: (1) with the door open, drop the window a 1/2 inch or so, (2) disconnect the battery, (3) close the door?
Should I put some foam weatherstripping or something in the gap between the window and roof channel?
NHskier
I'm getting ready to put my new-to-me 2005 convertible away for the winter later next month, so getting my act together now in preparation. I may be overthinking this, but it's my first 'Vette and I'd rather be sure about things.
I've read through a few checklists and know about using Sta-Bil in the gas, increasing tire pressure, using Damp-rid, moth ***** to keep mice away, bought a good cover, etc. I will be storing the car in a storage unit with no access to electricity, so will be disconnecting the battery.
I am assuming I should leave the hood fully closed and latched. If that's the case, come Spring I will need to open the driver side door using the release inside the trunk. As part of the storage routine next month, should I try to keep the drivers window down a bit to be able to open the door in the Spring? If so, would I: (1) with the door open, drop the window a 1/2 inch or so, (2) disconnect the battery, (3) close the door?
Should I put some foam weatherstripping or something in the gap between the window and roof channel?
NHskier
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 71
From: SOUTH SHORE Massachusetts
moth ***** wont help you much...I have heard and used Mint and it works at keeping the little critters away...get some mint shredd it and spread it around the entrance of your unit...also make up a liquid mixture of mint and water and spray it all over the place....dont leave your battery in the car...take it out and keep it in a place where it wont freeze..good luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
If you use stabil make sure it's for ethanol or better yet move to seafoam (make sure it's mixed throughout the fuel tank and system) and leave the windows up. I agree with midyear about the battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 211
From: Central Ohio
I would leave the windows down and the hood unlatched
Buy some mouse traps - all the wives tales in the world might or might not work but a rodent still wants to eat.
Your biggest threat will be up through the 2-3rd hard frost.
Check and reload as needed.
I put bounce sheets in my car last year - its also supposed to be a deterent - no mice and my car smelled really nice this spring ;0
Buy some mouse traps - all the wives tales in the world might or might not work but a rodent still wants to eat.
Your biggest threat will be up through the 2-3rd hard frost.
Check and reload as needed.
I put bounce sheets in my car last year - its also supposed to be a deterent - no mice and my car smelled really nice this spring ;0
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
09 Vert. I just stored mine in my garage. I don't have a battery tender, but do have a battery charger that charges at 2 or 10 amps. I remove battery and place in house. I charge battery at 2 amps every 5-6 weeks thru out winter. I have an outdoor cover. I leave windows up and hood unlatched so I don't have to go thru trunk. You will have to re-index windows when out of storage. I use stabil, change oil, clean air and cabin filters, clean inside, wax, add air to tires, change clutch fluid, wait for spring!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
As others have said, take the battery home and keep it on a tender/maintainer 24/7. A battery will discharge even when disconnected and a frozen discharged battery will crack and then you have real problems. If you let it self discharge for 5 months it is going to be significantly damaged.
I would check to make sure the key works (some don't
) and then seal the car tight. No reason to leave it open to collect dust when you have a key to open it next year.
I would check to make sure the key works (some don't
) and then seal the car tight. No reason to leave it open to collect dust when you have a key to open it next year.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
Since you're storing it inside, why the cover? It gives mice a place to "hibernate"! And they could destroy the cover. Leave it uncovered, you'll wash it in the spring. For added insurance so mice won't get in the car, place some D-Con bait traps around outside the car 
. This gives them an easy food source, paying attention to the food instead of the car. They'll go back to their nest ( hopefully not in the cover), eat, & die 
, leaving the car alone. 
. This gives them an easy food source, paying attention to the food instead of the car. They'll go back to their nest ( hopefully not in the cover), eat, & die , leaving the car alone.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
I've found that Bounty dryer sheets work great at keeping rodents away. A couple in the motor, car, and under the car. I've read (never done) that you can put tennis ***** in the tailpipes to keep them out too. Never had any issues with mice since I've been using the sheets.
Now......are you confused yet?
Now......are you confused yet?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Hi all,
I'm getting ready to put my new-to-me 2005 convertible away for the winter later next month, so getting my act together now in preparation. I may be overthinking this, but it's my first 'Vette and I'd rather be sure about things.
I've read through a few checklists and know about using Sta-Bil in the gas, increasing tire pressure, using Damp-rid, moth ***** to keep mice away, bought a good cover, etc. I will be storing the car in a storage unit with no access to electricity, so will be disconnecting the battery.
I am assuming I should leave the hood fully closed and latched. If that's the case, come Spring I will need to open the driver side door using the release inside the trunk. As part of the storage routine next month, should I try to keep the drivers window down a bit to be able to open the door in the Spring? If so, would I: (1) with the door open, drop the window a 1/2 inch or so, (2) disconnect the battery, (3) close the door?
Should I put some foam weatherstripping or something in the gap between the window and roof channel?
NHskier
I'm getting ready to put my new-to-me 2005 convertible away for the winter later next month, so getting my act together now in preparation. I may be overthinking this, but it's my first 'Vette and I'd rather be sure about things.
I've read through a few checklists and know about using Sta-Bil in the gas, increasing tire pressure, using Damp-rid, moth ***** to keep mice away, bought a good cover, etc. I will be storing the car in a storage unit with no access to electricity, so will be disconnecting the battery.
I am assuming I should leave the hood fully closed and latched. If that's the case, come Spring I will need to open the driver side door using the release inside the trunk. As part of the storage routine next month, should I try to keep the drivers window down a bit to be able to open the door in the Spring? If so, would I: (1) with the door open, drop the window a 1/2 inch or so, (2) disconnect the battery, (3) close the door?
Should I put some foam weatherstripping or something in the gap between the window and roof channel?
NHskier
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
I've found that Bounty dryer sheets work great at keeping rodents away. A couple in the motor, car, and under the car. I've read (never done) that you can put tennis ***** in the tailpipes to keep them out too. Never had any issues with mice since I've been using the sheets.
Now......are you confused yet?
Now......are you confused yet?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Since you're storing it inside, why the cover? It gives mice a place to "hibernate"! And they could destroy the cover. Leave it uncovered, you'll wash it in the spring. For added insurance so mice won't get in the car, place some D-Con bait traps around outside the car . This gives them an easy food source, paying attention to the food instead of the car. They'll go back to their nest ( hopefully not in the cover), eat, & die , leaving the car alone.
. This gives them an easy food source, paying attention to the food instead of the car. They'll go back to their nest ( hopefully not in the cover), eat, & die , leaving the car alone.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Thanks for all the recommendations and suggestions!
I hadn't planned on removing the battery, just being sure it was fully charged before disconnecting. Boats are stored at area marinas this way and don't have problems. Maybe I should rethink this ...
Had thought it would be better to keep the hood latched in case of critters, but I suppose if they're going to get in it wouldn't be that way, anyway. And that does make it simpler in the spring.
i've read about moth *****, downy sheets, and now mint spray. Sure wish there was a clear this-always-works solution. Good tip on adding some traps and checking early on.
NHskier
I hadn't planned on removing the battery, just being sure it was fully charged before disconnecting. Boats are stored at area marinas this way and don't have problems. Maybe I should rethink this ...
Had thought it would be better to keep the hood latched in case of critters, but I suppose if they're going to get in it wouldn't be that way, anyway. And that does make it simpler in the spring.
i've read about moth *****, downy sheets, and now mint spray. Sure wish there was a clear this-always-works solution. Good tip on adding some traps and checking early on.
NHskier
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Had thought it would be better to keep the hood latched in case of critters, but I suppose if they're going to get in it wouldn't be that way, anyway. And that does make it simpler in the spring.
i've read about moth *****, downy sheets, and now mint spray. Sure wish there was a clear this-always-works solution. Good tip on adding some traps and checking early on.
NHskier
i've read about moth *****, downy sheets, and now mint spray. Sure wish there was a clear this-always-works solution. Good tip on adding some traps and checking early on.
NHskier
):According to a pest removal expert, mothballs may very well prevent mice from moving into an area, but once they are established, the addition of mothballs will NOT drive them out.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Wouldn't matter if the hood was latched or left unlatched. Critters usually crawl in from under the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
As far as the latched hood........if your car doors are going to be locked then latch your hood as well unless you absolutely trust that nobody can ever get into that storage unit and lift your hood to steal parts. We recently had an instance in our town where some kids broke into a storage unit, got the keys to a Vette, took it out, and destroyed it.