Chim, living outside ?

[J4CKO]

Looking at getting a Chim, how do they cope with living al-fresco ?

My 944 cab just about copes with a cover, it doesnt leak but the raid doesnt do the bodywork much good, is a Chim going to leak like a sieve and start to deterioate ?

[Kitchski]

Mine's alright. Only thing about it that's good at the moment - it doesn't leak!

It was living outside for a couple of years prior to purchase too, but it's a bit of a project. Ideally I'd say no, they're indoor cars.

[Mark.]

Ours was outside for 6 years or so without any real issues. It sometimes sprang a leak and sometimes I fixed it. Once we moved and had a lovely big garage to put it in the battery died after 6 months, because we used it less.
It'll be fine outside.

[StarmistBlue400]

Mines been outside for a handfull of days due to not having a garage and it seems to let water in at the sides (where the Velcro is, anyone know a fix?)

Other than that its pretty water tight but I cant wait to get back home so I can store it in the garage.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Mine lives outside, under a Hamilton cover.

If I had a garage I'd keep it indoors, though. I think it's the sun and extremes of temperature that do more harm than the rain. The veneer on my dash has cracked a lot since I've had it, but maybe it would have done that anyway.

[QBee]

StarmistBlue400 said:

Mines been outside for a handfull of days due to not having a garage and it seems to let water in at the sides (where the Velcro is, anyone know a fix?)

Other than that its pretty water tight but I cant wait to get back home so I can store it in the garage.

Mine is wet behind the seats too. Not sure if it's the Velcro area or the seal between the targa hoop and the roof, which is somewhat knackered.

[StarmistBlue400]

QBee said:

Mine is wet behind the seats too. Not sure if it's the Velcro area or the seal between the targa hoop and the roof, which is somewhat knackered.

Cheers, I guess its the usual 'they all do that sir'

[Mark.]

StarmistBlue400 said:

Cheers, I guess its the usual 'they all do that sir'

Do you guys have the 'elephant ears' a kind of rubber flap that sits just in front of the hoop and channels water down the outside of the door sill?

[Julesprivate]

Mine lives outside, the previous owner would have a fit if he knew!

I have a "half cover" for in the summer and a full cover for the winter or periods when I know the car isn't going to be used (so it's never been on yet!).

The half cover is useful as I'm more concerned with (a) Birds! (b) UV damage to the rear screen and interior and it is easy to put on.

The full cover used to be on my S and it worked really well.

I don't have any room in the garage for the Chim, it's full of bikes so the Chim will always live outside. I only had the half cover last winter so I just (carefully) swept the snow off the rear window to keep the weight off it. I also didn't put the roof down until I was happy the rear screen had warmed sufficiently to flex.

One thing to bear in mind is that tree sap and bird poo are VERY acidic, so clean them off quickly or they'll eat through the lacquer. A full cover will prevent that, but then you might have the third issue of cats spraying!

[WOO5IE]

StarmistBlue400 said:

Mines been outside for a handfull of days due to not having a garage and it seems to let water in at the sides (where the Velcro is, anyone know a fix?)

Other than that its pretty water tight but I cant wait to get back home so I can store it in the garage.

I would think that the roof needs a waterproof treatment. This is where they leak if it needs re-proofing. I use Autoglyn Cabriolet Cleaner and Waterproofer.

Look on Ebay .

Mine leaked from there when I first got it and never now leaks, I treat it every couple of years . I do have a cover but even when it gets wet it doesnt leak. I agree the rain is the least of the issues its Sun, Birds ,cats and Temp that affect it more.

[StarmistBlue400]

Mark. said:

Do you guys have the 'elephant ears' a kind of rubber flap that sits just in front of the hoop and channels water down the outside of the door sill?

I will check, I think Ive seen them.

I have reproofed a couple of time, maybe I will spend more time on these areas.

[ToneyCaroney]

WOO5IE said:

I would think that the roof needs a waterproof treatment. This is where they leak if it needs re-proofing. I use Autoglyn Cabriolet Cleaner and Waterproofer.

Look on Ebay .

Mine leaked from there when I first got it and never now leaks, I treat it every couple of years . I do have a cover but even when it gets wet it doesnt leak. I agree the rain is the least of the issues its Sun, Birds ,cats and Temp that affect it more.

+1 on this. Leaks through the stitching around the velcro area. Needs extra attention with proofer there.

[Podie]

StarmistBlue400 said:

QBee said:

Mine is wet behind the seats too. Not sure if it's the Velcro area or the seal between the targa hoop and the roof, which is somewhat knackered.

Cheers, I guess its the usual 'they all do that sir'

We've had an S, two Chimaeras and a Griff - none leaked (and nor does the Griff which we still have). One of the Chimaeras lived outside for 2 years and was never garaged.

Worth getting a hood cover for winter months, but if the seals are good and the hood proofed you shouldn't have an issue.

[QBee]

Hmmmmm. I did a treatment and it still leaks. I will re-treat that area and see if that fixes it

[Podie]

QBee said:

Hmmmmm. I did a treatment and it still leaks. I will re-treat that area and see if that fixes it

The stitching is often a weak point.

[Mark.]

Podie said:

The stitching is often a weak point.

Fabsil, and plenty of it over all the stitching.

[J4CKO]

ers, so leaks arent a given then, my 944 leaked when I got it, the roof just needed treating, Autoglym hood restorer is great !