Moisture mate for winter layup

[TimJM]

Usually over winter my car doesn't come out much (unless we have an really nice day) and I was thinking about putting something like this in the footwell to keep it all nice and dry inside:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Does anyone bother with something like this or am I wasting my time (it is in a garage so not in the rain anyhow but was thinking about damp protection)?

[TVR500Morgan]

I've just put a load of silica gel packs in mine all along the dash in the footwells and on the parcel shelf bit. They actually seem to be doing a really good job, I have a full outdoor cover on it but it still got really damp inside. It's bone dry inside now.

[alex_gray255]

I use it every year and yes, is necessary - at least for me.

First year I had my Tuscan I didn't use it and by the end of the winter period
it had interesting fibrous things growing inside.

Now I use it every year and never had a problem - I also ventilate the car occasionally
which also helps...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by alex_gray255 on Friday 16th November 18:54

[Harrytsg]

It might sound silly, but I have 2 socks full of this

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/silica-gel-non-clum...

(Only use the fresh stuff)

Under the seats, and don't have a problem with moisture..............but I also use my car all year!

Which is what you should do.

[alex_gray255]

Errr... No.

Not around where I live - no way is that ever going to happen during the winter period.

Narrow Country lanes + very twisty corners + never treated + powerful Sagaris + very slippy/icy = very expensive problem/short life.

No thanks.

[Harrytsg]

Your only a couple of junctions up the M11 from Epping, it can't be that much more Arctic.

Cars are meant for

[EGB]

Can these be reused after drying out with moderate heating? If so, how? Cook up in an AGA or a big frying pan. Cat litter looks good. Could even use it myself! Also used in Bog In A Bag. Useful on M25, Jams.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=bo...

Clarkson used it on Top Gear. He and his team need it!
Salty winter roads are a no no for TVR chassis unless zinc galvanized.

Edited by EGB on Friday 16th November 19:37

[Colin L]

Use mine all year round, but then I got a heated garage, plus the beer fridge, wine cooler and the hammock for those days the wife says go live with car then LOL

Heated garage is the way to go

Colin l

[TimJM]

I know I should use it year round but I don't like the idea of salt plus other nobs driving on wet roads.

I did have a 4.5 cerb that was a year round daily driver (I just made sure the chassis was properly treated every year) but I don't drive now in the week. I only drive for pleasure on Saturdays (shooting Sundays in the 4x4) so even if I used it every week it is still going to spend a long time in a cold garage.

I suppose I could turn the heating on in there...a £5 box of stuff in the foot well sounds cheaper though.

[Harrytsg]

...........and you can dry it out on a radiator if it (when) it gets damp.

[heightswitch]

You can buy a very similar product at Lakeland. or from their mail order catalogue and re-fill crystals...Most caravan shops also sell them. They do tend to work quite well.
N.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21538/Moisture-Trap

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 16th November 20:24

[alex_gray255]

Harrytsg said:

Your only a couple of junctions up the M11 from Epping, it can't be that much more Arctic.

Cars are meant for

Well, the next time I spend a week stuck at home due to being snowed in, I'll keep that in mind...

Edited by alex_gray255 on Friday 16th November 20:54

[Laser Sag]

alex_gray255 said:

Errr... No.

Not around where I live - no way is that ever going to happen during the winter period.

Narrow Country lanes + very twisty corners + never treated + powerful Sagaris + very slippy/icy = very expensive problem/short life.

No thanks.

Alex surely you actually need to have your car at home and not being worked on to be able to say you are not going to use it;)

[alex_gray255]

Laser Sag said:

Alex surely you actually need to have your car at home and not being worked on to be able to say you are not going to use it;)

^^^^^^^^^^. ....and that

[weeman6556]

Hi there, I got quite a bit of moisture in my book before I set up for the winter. I used the versions from homebase! They worked a treat!!! But took about 1 month to work. But tbh in your garage the car should be dry enough.

[scotty_d]

I have a dehumidifier running in my garage all year round, I leave the windows down and it works very well.

[DanR100]

A bowl of salt will suck up all that moisture!!!

[rigga]

scotty_d said:

I have a dehumidifier running in my garage all year round, I leave the windows down and it works very well.

Me too

[FlipFlopGriff]

Tesco sell small non powered dehumidifiers containing silica gel and hold up to 450ml of water. Work well in the footwell when not in use and less than £1 each so you could afford to pout on in each footwell. think they may only seell them in the largest outlets and they are in the section with the bargain bucket items (about £1 each), like sink plugs, magnetic extending aerials.
We've got 2 dehums in the house going constantly (old and damp house) but they cost a lot to run (nearly £600 pa for the both of them).
FFG

[TimJM]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Tesco sell small non powered dehumidifiers containing silica gel and hold up to 450ml of water. Work well in the footwell when not in use and less than £1 each so you could afford to pout on in each footwell. think they may only seell them in the largest outlets and they are in the section with the bargain bucket items (about £1 each), like sink plugs, magnetic extending aerials.

Hmm - good idea but no Tesco near me. It would be nearly £10 in petrol to fetch them! I wonder if they do them online?

FlipFlopGriff said:

We've got 2 dehums in the house going constantly (old and damp house) but they cost a lot to run (nearly £600 pa for the both of them).

If you aren't pulling more than 270 litres of water out of them per year you would be better off buying the Tesco stuff!

Seriously, would it not be cheaper in the long run to fix the damp issues? It would certainly be better for you health!