Winter weather protection when working on cars
Discussion
Hi,
Unfortunately I am one of those who don't have the benefit of a garage to use when maintaining my car. Where I live it feels I have not had a dry weekend for at least two months, making car maintenance a challenge.
Being on the Pennine range, the weather is often windy as well as wet.
Are there any recommended weather protection systems for whilst working on the car so that both the car, its exposed parts, and myself aren't completely soaked whilst it may also be gusting?
If there isn't then all the more reason I see why people spend fortunes on PCP and PCH as car maintenance then becomes prohibitively expensive relying on garages instead.
Thanks,
Unfortunately I am one of those who don't have the benefit of a garage to use when maintaining my car. Where I live it feels I have not had a dry weekend for at least two months, making car maintenance a challenge.
Being on the Pennine range, the weather is often windy as well as wet.
Are there any recommended weather protection systems for whilst working on the car so that both the car, its exposed parts, and myself aren't completely soaked whilst it may also be gusting?
If there isn't then all the more reason I see why people spend fortunes on PCP and PCH as car maintenance then becomes prohibitively expensive relying on garages instead.
Thanks,
I have a Coleman Event Shelter, that I use to demonstrate my testing business at classic shows, and as a portable garage at race meetings.
It has side walls, and has proved resistant to wind, but that has been on grass, so tent pegs and hold down guys have stopped it blowing away. Might not be as stable on a tarmac surface.
John
It has side walls, and has proved resistant to wind, but that has been on grass, so tent pegs and hold down guys have stopped it blowing away. Might not be as stable on a tarmac surface.
John
Some thoughts from someone who also has only a Driveway, not a Garage… and used to work in the road, approx a 30metre walk each way to my Shed; prior to moving house a couple of years ago.
And a bit of empathy too ! …albeit I’m not in a hilly area where I live.
Do you know which way the weather normally comes from? Here, the rain and wind definitely have a ‘usual’ direction across my Driveway. Can you position the car to give you some protection, or choose a task at one side of the car (Brakes for instance, one side at a time) where the car itself provides some ‘cover’.
…and maybe a Wind-Break too? I use poles, Wheel Rims, a kids’ SwingBall Game (pole and weighted Base) and a Dust-sheet with crude ‘Sleeves’ sewn into it, to screen myself off when I’m welding. Perhaps you could do something similar with a waterproof (ish) screen. I’ve also toyed with the idea of getting a Gazebo, with at least one ‘side’ but have yet to do so. I reckon a 3m x 2m Gazebo ‘d be optimum for me, if I ever do.
Is it MOT related work you’re doing? If so, ‘move’ the MOT. This involves nothing more technical than putting the car in for its ticket in a warm-ish month of your choosing, irrelevant of the expiry date. Remember to allow for the fact you’ll likely want to always submit it about 28 days prior to expiry.
For cold, but dry, conditions I use a Halogen Heater. I made sure I bought one with replaceable Elements. I find it worthwhile, positioned close to where I’m working. It is a bit weird of course having a Heater out in the open air, but who cares, if it helps.
And a bit of empathy too ! …albeit I’m not in a hilly area where I live.
Do you know which way the weather normally comes from? Here, the rain and wind definitely have a ‘usual’ direction across my Driveway. Can you position the car to give you some protection, or choose a task at one side of the car (Brakes for instance, one side at a time) where the car itself provides some ‘cover’.
…and maybe a Wind-Break too? I use poles, Wheel Rims, a kids’ SwingBall Game (pole and weighted Base) and a Dust-sheet with crude ‘Sleeves’ sewn into it, to screen myself off when I’m welding. Perhaps you could do something similar with a waterproof (ish) screen. I’ve also toyed with the idea of getting a Gazebo, with at least one ‘side’ but have yet to do so. I reckon a 3m x 2m Gazebo ‘d be optimum for me, if I ever do.
Is it MOT related work you’re doing? If so, ‘move’ the MOT. This involves nothing more technical than putting the car in for its ticket in a warm-ish month of your choosing, irrelevant of the expiry date. Remember to allow for the fact you’ll likely want to always submit it about 28 days prior to expiry.
For cold, but dry, conditions I use a Halogen Heater. I made sure I bought one with replaceable Elements. I find it worthwhile, positioned close to where I’m working. It is a bit weird of course having a Heater out in the open air, but who cares, if it helps.
Not advice, but I know how you feel.
I was doing the dreaded oil pickup seal on our 2.0 CDTI (A20DTH) Astra, in December last year.
I had a boot tray from my 307cc which I was lying on, although it was bouncing down with rain and I was in my overalls.
It was very cold, and very wet, mainly because rather than keeping me off the dirty ground, the boot tray had filled up with water and I was mostly just lying in it.
However, after a while, I stopped noticing and got on with it.
I want a garage.
I was doing the dreaded oil pickup seal on our 2.0 CDTI (A20DTH) Astra, in December last year.
I had a boot tray from my 307cc which I was lying on, although it was bouncing down with rain and I was in my overalls.
It was very cold, and very wet, mainly because rather than keeping me off the dirty ground, the boot tray had filled up with water and I was mostly just lying in it.
However, after a while, I stopped noticing and got on with it.
I want a garage.
t job) and changed oil & filter on 2 cars. It was dry and mild. If it was pissing down I would have left it.Hi all,
Sorry I only just found the topic again after it was moved.
Thanks for the comments.
To answer a few queries, the weather can be from any direction and there is much rainfall in this part of the country (we are only just behind the Lake District for annual rain fall but without quite the same scenery) often combined with strong gusts.
The work is normally not for the MOT but to repair and maintain, providing a car for work which I am also doing 20k miles commuting (plus 5-10k business).
I appreciate the feedback and had asked as was not sure whether I was missing a trick or some fantastic equipment that everyone assumes everyone knows about but not everyone does know about.
Thanks,
Sorry I only just found the topic again after it was moved.
Thanks for the comments.
To answer a few queries, the weather can be from any direction and there is much rainfall in this part of the country (we are only just behind the Lake District for annual rain fall but without quite the same scenery) often combined with strong gusts.
The work is normally not for the MOT but to repair and maintain, providing a car for work which I am also doing 20k miles commuting (plus 5-10k business).
I appreciate the feedback and had asked as was not sure whether I was missing a trick or some fantastic equipment that everyone assumes everyone knows about but not everyone does know about.
Thanks,
tapkaJohnD said:
I have a Coleman Event Shelter, that I use to demonstrate my testing business at classic shows, and as a portable garage at race meetings.
It has side walls, and has proved resistant to wind, but that has been on grass, so tent pegs and hold down guys have stopped it blowing away. Might not be as stable on a tarmac surface.
John
I use one of these too - if you want to use it on hard ground then you could make some footers out of some decking timber and screw the feet down, then 4 bags of sand would take care of it.It has side walls, and has proved resistant to wind, but that has been on grass, so tent pegs and hold down guys have stopped it blowing away. Might not be as stable on a tarmac surface.
John
Recently had a 4x4 repairing session in one, although you have to choose from front or rear of the car admittedly.
Krikkit said:
I use one of these too - if you want to use it on hard ground then you could make some footers out of some decking timber and screw the feet down, then 4 bags of sand would take care of it.
Recently had a 4x4 repairing session in one, although you have to choose from front or rear of the car admittedly.
I like this idea, going to look into getting oneRecently had a 4x4 repairing session in one, although you have to choose from front or rear of the car admittedly.
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