Cold Storage - Car cover or not?

[Chateau Slate 66]

I'm sure this subject has come up before but I could not find what I was looking for when I did a search.

I will be storing my car indoors, unheated (Minnesota) for the winter and I was wondering if it is best to cover it or leave it uncovered. I am concerned after reading on the net about moisture build up even with covers that say they are "breathable". Critters are not a concern and I can't spend the money for the air dome covers.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[camarojoe]

Covering them is definitely better than not covering them for winter storage, even indoors... Just get a decent breathable cover and you'll be fine. I've always liked the Evolution material as it's nice and thick, but I recently got one made of "Noah" fabric for my hotrod and while its alot thinner, it's supposedly just as water/weatherproof and takes up 1/4 the space when its rolled up and not in use. Regular old cotton is actually fine if its stored indoors... just dont use anything plastic. You'd be amazed how much filth can build up on a car in 6 months when left uncovered, even indoors!

[68l30]

I say cover it.....I like to remove anything that can also act as a moisture barrier (floor mats, trunk mat)and be sure to use a barrier under the car for the same reason. Plywood or plastic sheeting works great.It keeps all the moisture from the cement from forming on the underside of your car..I've been using a Car Jacket with a California Car Cover (duststop) for years. The car looks as nice coming out as it did going in...I also like to tape the exhaust shut,bag the carb, and add a few bags of rat poison and some Irish Spring soap to the garage/car...Rodents hate the smell and if they do show up they don't last long..Ever see a rodent eat up a car? Not a pretty site...Remember to fold down the sun visors. They make a nice table for unwanted guests that like to eat headliners and stuff...I've seen this dozens of times in junk cars..Been doing this for almost 25 years and never a problem...Good luck!

Steve

[Xplantdad]

Steve, Good info...I would have never thought of a lot of those pointers...

That would explain the picnic table on my passenger side sun visor

[68l30]

Better safe than sorry...I have a friend who stored his Chevelle in his home garage,safe you'd think...Not....A critter free garage had critters.Ever smell mouse pi$$ from the heater ducts? It stinks!I like to remove all the "paper" from the car as well. Ever see a glove box nest? I've seen spiders, snakes, bee's, rats...even a groundhog..LOL..Pay attention to cars that have sat for a few years. You may never feel safe..

Steve

[Xplantdad]

And here in AZ we get everything you listed above. Good tips!

[JQ]

Snakes! Great tips

[Johnny Horsepower]

cover it! and to add to other suggestions: I like to throw a couple of fabric softner sheets in my boat in cold storage..keeps it fresh. And for underneath the car I would do flattened cardboard boxes. Wipers should be seperated from the glass with small pieces of wood, so rubber doesn't stick and if you are not going to put it on blocks I like to over inflate the tires by 5 psi or so to keep flatspots down. don't forget to disconnect the battery or have it on a good float charger. and stabil the fuel remembering to run it for 15 mins or so to get it through the system.
That's all my brain can dish out now. There are more elaborate things to do but you can decide on what you deem neccessary.
Good luck.

[Chateau Slate 66]

Thanks again for all the help!

[Mr. Chevy]

Invest in a dehumidifyer.. I bought an LG Model last year and it works great. I spent a little money, it is the "flagship" of their fleet, but it can work in temperatures as low as 32 degrees. Hang a couple cheap 4 dollar humidity/thermometer gauges from Home Depot around the garage and you will be amazed at how much the humidity level drops!! Thats the key to keeping the moisture OUT!! I keep my dehumidifyer running all the time on high and have it set at 35% humidity level. This keeps the entire garage at about a 40% humidity level which is considered in the dry range. I would also suggest "sealing off" the garage. Use the garage soley for the car storage. Do not open and close the door during the winter or have your everyday driver parked with your classic car. I think this is the most detrimental to the car!!

All of the listed tips are great! I have a partially insulated, non heated garage that is sealed off entirely for the cars/bikes. I layed huge sheets of plywood on the concrete floor and put down an indoor/outdoor style carpet over top of same. I leave it like this all year and it looks nice also. As for the covers, I just use a cheapy Budge car cover that you can buy at Murray's Auto parts for the car. I did not cover 2 of my Harleys last year in the garage and I did not notice any difference believe it or not from when I put them away. Because the garage is sealed off it does not get dusty. I'm not saying that it does not matter if you cover or not, it all depends on your set up. I would suggest a cover.. As for Stabil in the gas I think if you use a good grade of gas and the car does not sit for longer than a year, you will be ok.. Make sure the gas tank is filled up all the way. Get glue traps for the mice. Home Depot sells them and they work great. Once they get in those things they can't get out and eventually die there. If you use the pellets or cubes, this will not kill them right away it may take a day or two and then can crawl in somewhere and die and then stink to the high heavens!! "Knock on wood" I don't have a rodent problem but I always take precautions!!

Rich