Driving a classic in the current weather

[sawman]

I reckon the continual moisture you might get in a garage is probably more damaging than outdoors, but the issue with outside is just general weathering, so probably a carport is a better compromise - maybe with a solid wall in the direction if prevailing weather??

It also depends on how weather proof the car in question is....

[DonkeyApple]

The beat solution has to be the living room. Dry, warm and you can pretend you're at a drive-in all winter. Downside could be the loss of 50% of everything you own.

[jdw1234]

Now you are talking.

Park it in wife's wardrobe or rip out kitchen!!

[DonkeyApple]

jdw1234 said:

Now you are talking.

Park it in wife's wardrobe or rip out kitchen!!

I think it's pretty obvious that if you have a telephone you don't need a kitchen. Good luck with the pitch.

[Yertis]

I went for a spin in the TR6 on Saturday – the main problem I find with old cars is that they are cold and run crap for ages before warming up.

[Gabby123]

Other products to consider are Wurth wax spray and lithium spray. Chases water off and dries to surface as well.

[AndrewCrown]

Gents
I thought I was being dash clever by buying one of those pop up garages when I ran out of garage space..
All was fine until the winter set it... now it is condensation world in there.. Whilst keeping leaves and dust off.. it leaves the car body almost permanently damp... which reacted with the polish.. and was generally sh*t

So now it has a car cover on also.. though I'm thinking that probably isn't enough either..
However on explaining this to the Mrs... she actually suggested it might be a good idea for us to get one of those green oak barn garages you see at Goodwood.. happy days... something to save up for!

[RichB]

AndrewCrown said:

Gents, I thought I was being dash clever by buying one of those pop up garages when I ran out of garage space.. All was fine until the winter set it... now it is condensation world in there..

Doesn't help that it's on grass which, of course, remains damp all winter. Probably better just leaving it in the outside air and just washing it and keeping it clean of winter dirt.

[AndrewCrown]

Rich

Sorry the photo is deceptive... that 'was' moss covered tarmac... now all jet washed and just tarmac...

RichB said:

oesn't help that it's on grass which, of course, remains damp all winter. Probably better just leaving it in the outside air and just washing it and keeping it clean of winter dirt.

[RichB]

Oops sorry! Ah well, it will be nice if you get a new oak garage...

[PositronicRay]

The trick is ventilation try leave the "door" open.

[nta16]

PositronicRay said:

The trick is ventilation try leave the "door" open.

or try one of these that allows for ventilation - Cover Systems' Folding Garage - http://www.foldinggarages.co.uk/carfoldinggarages....

[vpr]

I left a car in a huge barn with open door and vents in the sides but the car remained ringing wet. Far better to leave it outside

The best garages are indeed wood as they absorb any dampness

You need a constant temp

[Humper]

I have a brick garage at the house, i run a dehumidifier 24/7 in the winter months, doesn't cost a fortune. My other sheds elsewhere for storage are wooden with a wooden floor,lined with plywood, it makes a huge difference, they have the wee boxes with the granules but rarely need changing. I empty the dehumidifier twice daily at the house and it's heated when I'm working in there and has double glazed window and side door.

[v8250]

AndrewCrown said:

Gents
I thought I was being dash clever by buying one of those pop up garages when I ran out of garage space..
All was fine until the winter set it... now it is condensation world in there.. Whilst keeping leaves and dust off.. it leaves the car body almost permanently damp... which reacted with the polish.. and was generally sh*t

So now it has a car cover on also.. though I'm thinking that probably isn't enough either..
However on explaining this to the Mrs... she actually suggested it might be a good idea for us to get one of those green oak barn garages you see at Goodwood.. happy days... something to save up for!

Andrew, these car tents are superb devices but are no good when sat on grass. I used one for many years when I ran out of garage space. No damp, no condensation...but the car and tent were sat on a concrete base. Try buying some 1200 grade damp proof membrane sheeting for the car to sit on and raise the sides of the sheeting to form a 'bath tub' inside the tent, attaching the raised side of the sheeting to the tent inner. You'll still get good airflow through the tent. The other option would be to buy an air chamber type device that sits inside the tent, though that'll be a little more costly.

[RichB]

v8250 said:

... these car tents are superb devices but are no good when sat on grass...

I refer the gentleman to the answer Andrew gave 6 posts previously.

That or "read the thread"

[vpr]

I kept a car in a hard plastic covered trailer and that was damp too.

Circulation is the key

[Old Merc]

To me the whole object of owning a classic is to keep it immaculate and preserve it,especially if you have spent £££££££`s restoring it.I see no pleasure in driving your pride and joy in freezing crap weather on filthy roads.My classic was stored in an old wooden barn,which was paneled,had plenty of ventilation and had a concrete floor,absolutely perfect place.Mind you I went to extreme measures making sure the car was bone dry,plenty of WD40 in places,dust cover,etc etc before it went into winter hibernation.Every Easter it was a quick polish and ready for the first rally/show or what ever,hood down and out for a drive in the sun.Providing it was not raining!!

[AndrewCrown]

V8...

Thank you very much for the advice... I think the membrane is a great idea... (To go over the Tarmac ) That will be a good Sunday project... I've just a had a look for an airchamber too... I only knew about the bubble things.. http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Car-Airchamber-all-siz... Ok a bit pricey... but not that bad...
Cheers
A

v8250 said:

Andrew, these car tents are superb devices but are no good when sat on grass. I used one for many years when I ran out of garage space. No damp, no condensation...but the car and tent were sat on a concrete base. Try buying some 1200 grade damp proof membrane sheeting for the car to sit on and raise the sides of the sheeting to form a 'bath tub' inside the tent, attaching the raised side of the sheeting to the tent inner. You'll still get good airflow through the tent. The other option would be to buy an air chamber type device that sits inside the tent, though that'll be a little more costly.

[Riley Blue]

Old Merc said:

To me the whole object of owning a classic is to keep it immaculate and preserve it,especially if you have spent £££££££`s restoring it.I see no pleasure in driving your pride and joy in freezing crap weather on filthy roads.My classic was stored in an old wooden barn,which was paneled,had plenty of ventilation and had a concrete floor,absolutely perfect place.Mind you I went to extreme measures making sure the car was bone dry,plenty of WD40 in places,dust cover,etc etc before it went into winter hibernation.Every Easter it was a quick polish and ready for the first rally/show or what ever,hood down and out for a drive in the sun.Providing it was not raining!!

I'm the exact opposite. I spent £££££££s restoring my Riley for year-round, all-weather driving. That's how it was used when it was new, that's how it should be used now. 'Pride and joy' isn't a term I use about it. It's a car that means a great deal to me and I would be very upset if anything happened to it but it's a car, it was designed, made and originally bought to be driven - that's what I do with it, as often as I can. In the current weather (very wet and windy) I see no reason not to drive it.