No Garage, Best winter protection options?
Discussion
Hi all, I’ve just bought a Boxster and was wondering what the general consensus was on protecting the car during the winter months seeing as I don’t have use of a garage.
Do i ....
A, Get some wax on the car and just leave outside
B, buy a quality car cover
C, consider a ”carcoon” type product although I’m not sure my wife would be happy with one on the drive
What’s people’s thoughts and experiences?
Do i ....
A, Get some wax on the car and just leave outside
B, buy a quality car cover
C, consider a ”carcoon” type product although I’m not sure my wife would be happy with one on the drive
What’s people’s thoughts and experiences?
Hi. I’d protect the hood with some Gtechniq I1 and polish and wax the paintwork. If you really want to go for it even ceramic coat the paint. A good quality outdoor cover from Specialised covers may work but I’m always concerned that they may rub paint work edges in this wind also you must always put the cover on a clean car. Hope this helps. Chris.
Rollin sean said:
Hi all, I’ve just bought a Boxster and was wondering what the general consensus was on protecting the car during the winter months seeing as I don’t have use of a garage.
Do i ....
A, Get some wax on the car and just leave outside
B, buy a quality car cover
C, consider a ”carcoon” type product although I’m not sure my wife would be happy with one on the drive
What’s people’s thoughts and experiences?
Are you not planning on using it at all for a number of months?Do i ....
A, Get some wax on the car and just leave outside
B, buy a quality car cover
C, consider a ”carcoon” type product although I’m not sure my wife would be happy with one on the drive
What’s people’s thoughts and experiences?
If you’re not planning on using it over the winter I’d give it a thorough wash and wax, stick some silica gel sachets inside, fill the petrol tank to the brim and buy a good quality cover for it. You’ll also need to get a good battery conditioner (a Ctek or similar). Oh yes, over fill the tyres to stop flat spots.
Cheib said:
How much is a quality car cover ? I am short a garage at the moment so one of my cars goes into professional storage over the winter. £22 a week...heated, on charge etc. Obviously a cover would last many years but three months in storage is £250.
Where is this, or could you PM me the details? Seems remarkably good valueSV_WDC said:
Cheib said:
How much is a quality car cover ? I am short a garage at the moment so one of my cars goes into professional storage over the winter. £22 a week...heated, on charge etc. Obviously a cover would last many years but three months in storage is £250.
Where is this, or could you PM me the details? Seems remarkably good valueWill send you a PM
My car sat under a Noah fabric outdoor cover for weeks or even months on end with absolutely no moisture ever observed on the car itself. Or in it. There was significant snow and/or ice and/or rain during those hibernation months. There were times I'd even brush six to eight inches of snow off the cover with a broom, put the cover away and drive off down the just cleared road. The cover had a soft inside cover almost fluffy. As long as the car was not put away dirty, no harm to the finish. It attached via a one man stretch it out over the edges of the car and elastic edges of the cover kept it secured in winds. It came with a steel cable with locking provisions so it didn't get stolen. The cable would attach to grommets in the cover and stretched under the middle of the car.
5 winters and it was as good as new when I included it in the car sale. So was the car's finish.
5 winters and it was as good as new when I included it in the car sale. So was the car's finish.
I use two outdoor carcoons due to my garage being full and they do the job well. But they do look an eyesore which isnt an issue for me as i have suitable space but.... If you get one either buy one in stock or a used one as you will not see it till next year - good product useless company with broken promises.
I havent used but a permabag maybe worth a look. Expensive but not as intrusive. The Noah cover sounds good from previous post experience.
If non of these work for you then i would pump tyres, wash regularly to get the green crap off, battery conditioner, start once a month and get fully hot- heater on a/c on etc then leave it. Remove wheels wrap brakes with cloth and tie a heavy bag over it, wheels back on. If you just leave it the discs will be in a poor state. This is the minimum you could go further but it gets to be over the top
I havent used but a permabag maybe worth a look. Expensive but not as intrusive. The Noah cover sounds good from previous post experience.
If non of these work for you then i would pump tyres, wash regularly to get the green crap off, battery conditioner, start once a month and get fully hot- heater on a/c on etc then leave it. Remove wheels wrap brakes with cloth and tie a heavy bag over it, wheels back on. If you just leave it the discs will be in a poor state. This is the minimum you could go further but it gets to be over the top
Edited by kilarney on Sunday 9th December 08:24
I'm happy with my outside Carcoon (heading into its 5th winter). It's a good solution if you only use the car occasionally and have a power point close by. You need enough space to be able to walk around it to zip up. Putting the car away with a warm engine ensures everything dries out nicely. The included battery conditioner is an added bonus. I've no connection with the company (who've been v good on customer service by the way).
AinsleyB said:
My car is put away clean, the cover is clean...
This is the most important thing. I’ve used covers for years and most protect the car very well, without any hint of paint damage, provided the car you put underneath is clean.I’d also strongly suggest you don’t spend too much on a cover - none of them last forever, probably 4-5 years at most before the fabric weakens and they become prone to ripping or letting through water.
I’d also avoid any cover described as breathable (these let in moisture as well as letting it out; the moisture then dries leaving residue on the inside of the cover) or lightweight (this means they flap constantly in the wind).
My current cover is thick, properly waterproof (soft inside), generic (not tailored to the car) and has a couple of vents on it to encourage airflow. It does the job very well.
Rollin sean said:
How do the Carcoon's cope with very windy weather? Does the inside not constantly get rubbed against the paintwork of the car?
Apart from it being an eyesore on the drive it certainly seems a great solution.
Mine's in a relatively sheltered position but does move around in strong winds; but due to the nature of it's inflated shape it doesn't seem to rub. However, as an added precaution I put a light weight tailored indoor cover on first, folding the wing mirrors too. As I said, not ideal for frequent use but great for occasional. Apart from it being an eyesore on the drive it certainly seems a great solution.
SV_WDC said:
Cheib said:
How much is a quality car cover ? I am short a garage at the moment so one of my cars goes into professional storage over the winter. £22 a week...heated, on charge etc. Obviously a cover would last many years but three months in storage is £250.
Where is this, or could you PM me the details? Seems remarkably good valueMine lives outside all year round, and has done for last 5½ years. It’s absolutey fine just as it is, being driven when the sun is shining to get it nicely warmed through. It ias a solar battery charger which is propped up facing south, this plugs into lighter socket, this keeps the battery ok if it donesnt get driven for a few weeks.
Even if not driving I might open the doors and boots on a dry day to get a change of air.
And it’s hard to beat a good top down drive on a cold crisp bright winters day.
Tip. Wear a hat
Even if not driving I might open the doors and boots on a dry day to get a change of air.
And it’s hard to beat a good top down drive on a cold crisp bright winters day.
Tip. Wear a hat
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