Your tips for covering an old restoration project?

[Batesy9891]

Hi all,

I'm restoring an old car - admittedly not quite a classic in most people's understanding of the word, but still old - and unfortunately I have no choice but to leave it outside this winter.

The lacquer and paint is deteriorating, as are some of the rubber seals here and there.

'm thinking I'd try to cover it to prevent some of the green muck from trees and standing water forming. But I'd assume that just putting a tarp over it would make it worse - trapped moisture, whipping the lacquer and paint in the wind etc.

So I'd like to hear any tips on covering it. I've heard various things before, such as:

- leave a window partially open to allow air circulation
- put a blanket between car and tarp to prevent scratches from whipping
- buy a cover with vents to help with ventilation

but I don't know whether these are just myths and I'd rather not experiment!

What's your advice?

Also, would you leave it on axle stands to prevent the wheels getting flat spots? It's unlikely to move for a few months.

TIA.

[rev-erend]

They all sound like good ideas..

You could also put it on axle stands to keep the tyres from flat spotting.

Get a couple of dehumidifiers.. these have proved very good

UniBond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber

I pop 2 in my car and one in the boot for the really wet periods.

[aeropilot]

Batesy9891 said:

Hi all,

I'm restoring an old car - admittedly not quite a classic in most people's understanding of the word, but still old - and unfortunately I have no choice but to leave it outside this winter.

The lacquer and paint is deteriorating, as are some of the rubber seals here and there.

'm thinking I'd try to cover it to prevent some of the green muck from trees and standing water forming. But I'd assume that just putting a tarp over it would make it worse - trapped moisture, whipping the lacquer and paint in the wind etc.

So I'd like to hear any tips on covering it. I've heard various things before, such as:

- leave a window partially open to allow air circulation
- put a blanket between car and tarp to prevent scratches from whipping
- buy a cover with vents to help with ventilation

but I don't know whether these are just myths and I'd rather not experiment!

What's your advice?

Also, would you leave it on axle stands to prevent the wheels getting flat spots? It's unlikely to move for a few months.

TIA.

Anything that is in contact with the car is bad news - end of.

Anything other than something like this

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cig81015-he...

and you'd be better of just leaving it exposed to the elements, and keeping it clean.