Storing outside
Discussion
As per my earlier thread, I'm a newbie to this - looking for the right Caterham to buy.
One of the issues I have though is that I have no garage. So I'll need to store the car outside on my driveway. My idea is to park it tight against the house, under the trees which will keep it away from all but the worst of a rainstorm, and then cover it in a snug cover. The driveway also has largish pebbles as the surface so the wheels won't be on a flat surface.
Are there any other things I could do to improve it's longevity? Is there a rust treatment I could have applied to the car perhaps? I'd ensure it was as dry as possible before wrapping it up, and I'd start it regularly etc. so what really concerns me is damage from any moisture more than anything else.
I've asked many people their opinions and they range from "don't even consider it" to "it'll be fine" etc. so I'm no better off. I even asked a guy at a Caterham dealership and he said it would not be a problem really, although not ideal.
I'd rather have the Caterham (and store it well outside) than not have it at all!
Thanks
One of the issues I have though is that I have no garage. So I'll need to store the car outside on my driveway. My idea is to park it tight against the house, under the trees which will keep it away from all but the worst of a rainstorm, and then cover it in a snug cover. The driveway also has largish pebbles as the surface so the wheels won't be on a flat surface.
Are there any other things I could do to improve it's longevity? Is there a rust treatment I could have applied to the car perhaps? I'd ensure it was as dry as possible before wrapping it up, and I'd start it regularly etc. so what really concerns me is damage from any moisture more than anything else.
I've asked many people their opinions and they range from "don't even consider it" to "it'll be fine" etc. so I'm no better off. I even asked a guy at a Caterham dealership and he said it would not be a problem really, although not ideal.
I'd rather have the Caterham (and store it well outside) than not have it at all!
Thanks
Best advice based on my having stored a project Se7en type car outdoors over a winter is don't do it. Correct me if I'm wrong Caterfield but because they are specialist cars there's no real consideration by the designer/manufacturer for rust proofing.
There are also too many nooks and crannies where moisture can build up and lurk to successfully apply your own.
If you must store outside then try to avoid storage under trees even if covered - they seem to invite dampness.
Preferably put it on a hard standing (even if you have to make one yourself) - that way rain etc. will drain off rather than sit under the car.
A mate stores his vintage car that way, covering it with a proper temporary garage which IIRC cost him
c.£500!
Better to rent a lock-up where at least the worst of the elements are avoided.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.
There are also too many nooks and crannies where moisture can build up and lurk to successfully apply your own.
If you must store outside then try to avoid storage under trees even if covered - they seem to invite dampness.
Preferably put it on a hard standing (even if you have to make one yourself) - that way rain etc. will drain off rather than sit under the car.
A mate stores his vintage car that way, covering it with a proper temporary garage which IIRC cost him
c.£500!
Better to rent a lock-up where at least the worst of the elements are avoided.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.
When you say "I'd rather have the Caterham (and store it well outside) than not have it at all!" do you mean wrap it up until you can use it or are you thinking in terms of a useable solution to not having a garage? If you plan taking the car out regularly and giving it a good airing, that's going to be more beneficial long term than leaving it stashed under cover.
good point.
In summer I'd use it as much as possible, and in winter it would (hopefully) be out every weekend that was dry. What concerns me are the periods it is stored (wrapped up) when I can't use it. But over a winter period I'd like to think I could take it out for a drive once a month at least.
It certainly would not be to store it over the whole winter without use.
In summer I'd use it as much as possible, and in winter it would (hopefully) be out every weekend that was dry. What concerns me are the periods it is stored (wrapped up) when I can't use it. But over a winter period I'd like to think I could take it out for a drive once a month at least.
It certainly would not be to store it over the whole winter without use.
Mine lives outside under a cover on the drive. No problems so far. It takes more care than a garaged one but I'm happy looking after it. It will be in better condition than a poorly maintained garaged car! 
Make sure you keep it clean, use something like ACF50 as a corrosion inhibitor once a year. I don't take mine out if they have been putting crap on the roads but I would do the same if it lived in a garage.
Make sure you keep it clean, use something like ACF50 as a corrosion inhibitor once a year. I don't take mine out if they have been putting crap on the roads but I would do the same if it lived in a garage.
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