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I just drove my 1965 4 door from California to Albany, NY and am going to have to park it outside for the winter behind a friend's house. I've never used a car cover, so am looking for advice about what would be best for this climate. Do I want one that breathes? Is totally waterproof? I don't want to trap moisture or condensed moisture that could cause rust. I guess most important is to park it on gravel for drainage, but until I can get that set up (a month), wondered if it was better to put a sheet of poly under it rather than have it sit on what is right now moist earth. Suggestions? Musts to avoid? Past experience welcome. thanks
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A bit late to the party; but, my 2 cents!
My personal experience for my 'summer' cars is car cover plus sealed car bag plus garage, so not applicable. However, my son was not so lucky. While away at university, his RSX was stored outside at his grandmother's place from September through to April. We used a NOAH fabric cover on his car which is breathable. The NOAH fabric is moderately heavy / bulky which makes it slightly awkward for removal and installation; but, the heavier fabric with form fit cut means that it does not flap in the wind (we have lots of that here) so the paint does not get abraded by the cover during wind storms. The car cover is typically covered with snow from the beginning of December to mid March. In mid March I go over and remove the snow because as the day time temperatures increase we don't want the snow melting in the sun and forming an ice cover on the cover. Four years of doing this and the cover and car show no ill effects from storage.
Storing the car where it will be in shade helps. Exposure to sun is what kills car cover fabrics. If you live in a snow cover area, shade will reduce the risk of snow melting and then freezing on the car. The car covers are not water tight so if the ice starts melting the water can permeate through the fabric and can re freeze at night with the risk that it will stick to the paint surface. At that point you cannot remove the cover until you have had a complete melt of the cover.
In addition to the car cover:
- we plugged up the intake with a plastic bag and wrapped the tailpipe with plastic and tape to stop the engine from breathing in moist air during the inevitable temperature changes during the winter.
- oil change immediately before going into storage to minimize moisture in the engine during storage.
- battery disconnected.
- pump up the tires by +10 psi to allow for pressure drop during low temperatures and reduce the risk of a bead leak during the inevitable (at least here) drop below -30 C. Increased pressure also seems to help with flat spotting during extended storage.
- sprayed all the gaskets and exposed rubber with silicon spray.
- fuel stabilizer in a full tank of gas. This is not so important on a modern car because of the sealed fuel systems. This is important on a vintage car with its vented gas tank which can breath atmospheric air during temperature changes.
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There has always been a debate over the advisability of car covers and there seem to be as many pros as cons. I keep one on my vintage Camaro in the garage to keep sawdust off it and remove it half a dozen times in the summer to take the car to shows and club events. It's a cheap breathable one and does not promote condensation. Having a cover outside in the summer may prevent damage from tree sap and bird droppings, but snow in the winter is harmless unless you have water leaks. I don't even think it would make a lot of difference to rust spots. You do want good air circulation under the car to reduce corrosion.
--
1992 745, >500k km (now gone, but not forgotten)
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Danny,
I wouldn't write the car cover idea off entirely. I've purchased several covers from California Car Cover and have been happy with all of their products. I'm currently using a 'Stormweave' on my Boxster. At $360, not cheap but form fitting and they last several years, even in my seaside New York climate (with occasional deluges of snow). Despite what others say, as long as you don't park your car on turf or the like, you'll be okay. A good cover will breathe. The Boxster is coming on to 17 years old now and is still occasionally mistaken for new (obviously by people that don't know Porsches). In any event, garage isn't an option yet but car is doing fine without one. Good luck.
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Although I am still on the lookout for a garage space, earlier this week I was able to grade/rake the area, lay down some landscape fabric, and spread 3" of crushed stone. In future I may be able to erect some sort of roof to shed snow. Right now I'm leaning against a car cover. Without spending beaucoup bucks, I'm afraid a cover cover won't do much more than keep off dirt and leaves, etc., but would trap moisture. I think as long as the ground underneath can drain, I should be okay. Maybe if a big snow is forecast, I'd throw something over it and then remove snow as soon as I am able.
I really appreciate everyone's input.
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I'm not really a fan of car covers unless the car is garaged, then they keep the dust and spider poop off. Covers outside shuffle around in the wind and can seriously abrade the paint. Condensation can be a problem too. What I would say is to spend a few days getting the car as clean as possible, including getting any mud and dirt out from under the wheel arches. In fact, anywhere that dirt collects. Polish and then give it several coats of wax. If you aren't into detailing, now is a good time to see what it's all about. Pick up a few cans of Fluid Film and spray down the underside and all of the suspension. Depending on what its like under there you may want to remove any loose underseal and apply some red oxide or similar rust proofing paint beforehand. In the meantime, I hope you find some good storage.
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Hello Danny,
From my experience inexpensive Noah cover is very nice, works great I'll be it expensive. The cheap Walmart jobs are fine for the purpose of keeping leaf and other tree debris and bird poop Etc off your car. However if you are in an area with squirrels and other rodents you might as well just get the cheap Walmart job because one of the things that you learn the hard way is that the squirrels with their razor sharp teeth and Nails tear the heck out of a car cover.
I have found them to be quite worthwhile
Marquis
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Are you a VCOA member? Even if not, maybe reach out to a local chapter there around Albany (Heck the VCOA national HQs is someplace in NY state...) but a ‘65 from CA (even sight unseen) seems like a shame to subject it to an Upstate NY winter.
If all else fails, my wife has family in Canastota, about a hour west of Albany, just east of Syracuse. Maybe they can find space in a barn or garage... let me know if you want me to rattle their chain.
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Thanks for your kind offer, but I'm actually trying to find an inside spot closer to NYC. I expect to be driving it into the fall and keep it inside off the road through the winter.
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posted by
someone claiming to be CB
on
Fri Sep 28 14:51 CST 2018 [ RELATED]
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Albany SSnowsnowsnow. Upstate NY baby.
have you looked around for garage space to rent --- 4 or 5 months?
cost of a decent car cover and all that digging out you'll be doing.
put it in a barn/garage.
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Based on my experiences with covers over more decades than I care to admit --- they are most effective in the state that you moved FROM - CA. They're great for keeping the sun off of a car. I would absolutely not cover one and just leave it for months if precipitation or "dew" is occurring on a regular basis. Before garages, there was nothing quite so exciting as rushing out to REMOVE the cover before it rained or checking the forecast to decide whether to put it on at night or not. The covers get wet, moisture gets through -- and then if the sun comes out and the moisture is trapped against the paint, it can damage the paint, especially clear coat.
If you absolutely have to keep it out of the rain/snow - beg/borrow/steal/rent a car port or some garage space.
FWIW - I had damaged paint on the roof of our then new Mini Cooper Clubman a few years back. Took it into the dealer for a warranty item. While there, either someone placed or the wind blew a piece of plastic over a portion of the roof. The car was there for a week waiting for an ordered part. So it sat - rained on/off with the plastic trapping the moisture between it and the paint. Permanently stained the clear coat -- they had to repaint the roof. Granted - plastic's even worse than a cover in this regard, but you get the picture.
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