Hibernation

mustang68

Brrrrrr!

It's pretty cold this morning, so its time to start thinking of putting the car away for the winter.

Who is leaving theirs out, and if you're putting it away where is it going?


I'm a bit lost with mine as if I put it away I won't use it, and its probably getting a new paint job next year so I don't mind too much.

Blue850

My brother has just built a huge shed and offered to store the Fiat and Triumph for the winter, both will remain insured so I can take them out for a run.

andreas_220D

mustang68 wrote:

Who is leaving theirs out, and if you're putting it away where is it going?

Leave mine out.

1275gt

im gonna be using mine, its nice and warm in an underground carpark at night tho :cool:

MercMad

For the last 5 years I've kept one of mine outdoors, under a cover during the harsh or frosty weather, but I've used it every couple of days and brought it for a spin to get the whole car up to temperature !

It didn't deteriorate, but if you cant use it a couple of times a week then I'd suggest trying for more shelter. The damp kills them !

alfarocks

Mine will on the road at least once a week before retiring to the comfort of a carcoon.

Lyre61

Mine stays out. Its the B****y leaves that drive me mad, every nook and cranny And if its not the leaves it the tree sap...like glue on the paintwork

Eric318

Mine are out and being used. Albeit in the process of being Waxoyled and in an undercover car park at night. New paint job for one also planned for next spring.

Dades

Good to hear so many staying out.

I'll be keeping the Spider out - nowhere to put her anyway. Hopefully almost daily driving will shake off the damp and leaves.

MercMad

Daily driving is the best thing for them, sure isn't that what they were built for !!

MercMad

Daily driving is the best thing for them, sure isn't that what they were built for !!

3ps

phew... I'll be putting up 12k+ per year on mine and I think I'm too lazy to put the car cover on it every evening!

tc20

Mine will be outside, and when i get it going again :rolleyes: it is my daily driver. Have thought about getting a cover, but as 3ps says, i dont think i could be arsed to put it on every night and take it off again come mornin'

Eric318

one thing that works well, is to wash the car every month or so and then to liberally spray WD40 EVERYWHERE, all nooks and crannies, under, over, inside etc. One large can per session.

WD40 actually stands for Water Dispersant 40, the 40th experiment by NASA to fing something perfect. Its lubricating properties made it a commercially viable product. Still, works very well at keeping moisture away, or taking its place.

commited

Mine has to stay out

Under a cover though, which isnt so bad!

dubtom

Fortunatly mine is in a warehouse at the minute, not sure for how long though.It spent last winter out doors under a cover, i drove it regularly, but i still felt that damage was done. The paintwork seemed to dull slightly and my doors bubbled a bit.If I have to, I'll put it in an underground car park i have a pass for.

hk797

Leaving my 350slc out as no other option.

Good excuse to bring Tiny for a spin every day.

Probably should get a cover though.

Had a quick look in Argos and some classic mags ... big difference in pricing.

Any advice on covers, ball park figures and where best to buy?

mustang68

Eric318 wrote:

one thing that works well, is to wash the car every month or so and then to liberally spray WD40 EVERYWHERE, all nooks and crannies, under, over, inside etc.

Do you put it on the paintwork too??

Dades

Aren't car covers as good at keeping the moisture in as keeping it out?

I also think they attract knackers.

Eric318

mustang68 wrote:

Do you put it on the paintwork too??

Only where water is likely to find its way in, not on the panels. But places like behind the side chrome strip and any attachement to the body (lights, wipers bezels, water gutters, etc.), or wherever the paint is chiped.

WD40 does not make your paintwork look pretty, but the excess can be wiped off easily if done early, less easily if you let settle. Either way at least you get protection.

atlantean

The Atheist wrote:

Aren't car covers as good at keeping the moisture in as keeping it out?

I also think they attract knackers.

There are different types of covers - some are more breathable than others which don't trap moisture.

Also, look of one that has a soft inner side. The cheap nylon ones when tied down allow the wind to get under them and so they constantly rub against the paint work. This in turn causes the paint on the edges to be rubbed away - not what you want to uncover in the Spring!

And yes - they can be a knacker magnet

barryi200

where can one get a decent carcoon - are they costly??? are we talking a grand for one?? Can one get a double carcoon - will have to do something for the i200 and the cossie

mustang68

Carcoons come from carcoon.co.uk

Mine for the Mustang was about €700, it has two skins so it can be outdoors, I found it very good, car was completly dry in it. Its not for putting your car in if you want to use it more then once a week, even though it only takes about 10 mins to get out and 15 to get back, it is a royal pain.

Try and keep it somewhere reasonable sheltered, my one was blowing about a bit and a corner of my car has very poor paint, which it rubbed off since then I put a t shirt or something on the rub zones and I'm fine.

Never heard or a double one, sure they would do a custom one for you. I think it would be inpractable: to take one car out in, the other whould have to go too.

barryi200

mustang68 wrote:

Carcoons come from carcoon.co.uk

Mine for the Mustang was about €700, it has two skins so it can be outdoors, I found it very good, car was completly dry in it. Its not for putting your car in if you want to use it more then once a week, even though it only takes about 10 mins to get out and 15 to get back, it is a royal pain.

Try and keep it somewhere reasonable sheltered, my one was blowing about a bit and a corner of my car has very poor paint, which it rubbed off since then I put a t shirt or something on the rub zones and I'm fine.

Never heard or a double one, sure they would do a custom one for you. I think it would be inpractable: to take one car out in, the other whould have to go too.

can you get one that circulates heated air...checked out the site...i would have mine indoors in an enclosed shed, which is not well insulated in places! plenty cold air at times in the winter which can lead to dampness...
has anyone put a raised deck in made up of plywood to keep the dampness/moisture away from car??

hk797

Hunting around I came across this on ebay.

Would probably go for it if I had the space.

Subject to SWMBO's approval of course

alfarocks

hk797 wrote:

Hunting around I came across this on ebay.

Would probably go for it if I had the space.

Subject to SWMBO's approval of course

Not much better then a regular car cover I'd say, the bottom of the car is open to the concrete. At least with the carcoon, the whole vehicle is encapsulated within the waterproofing.
I just hope the damn thing does'nt get wrecked now that firework season is upon us again.......

hk797

alfarocks wrote:

Not much better then a regular car cover I'd say, the bottom of the car is open to the concrete. At least with the carcoon, the whole vehicle is encapsulated within the waterproofing.
I just hope the damn thing does'nt get wrecked now that firework season is upon us again.......

True ... although you need a garage to use the carcoon in the first place ... so for those without that garage then the portable garage is probably a better option than a cover if you use your car once a week ... saves having to waste 15 minutes putting it on and taking it off ... also stops the wear and tear on the paintwork mentioned above ... on the fireworks silly season i hear ya ... the words hey mister can yer dog put out a fire comes to mind :rolleyes:

mustang68

barryi200 wrote:

can you get one that circulates heated air...checked out the site...i would have mine indoors in an enclosed shed, which is not well insulated in places! plenty cold air at times in the winter which can lead to dampness...

Heat or cold isn't the issue, moisture is. A garage with a concrete floor and walls, regardless of temp will trap moisture. Ever left a book in the garage for a few weeks? You'll come back to find it damp, bigger and wrinkled. Most people automatically associate a hot enviromment with a dry one, ever been in a steam room? The hot air can hold more moisture then cold air.

The carcoons cut out the moisture, whatever the temp and thats what you want, if your going to start messing around with heaters, invest in a dehumidifier instead and seal up the garage. It frightening when you start to empty liters of water out of one of them.