For those who have ran out of storage space, how have you best prepped your project for outdoor storage. For the last 5 years my project has been just covered with a tarp. What else can I do? Would it make sense to build a raised platform with a vapor barrier for car to sit on? car is at my parents home. Im mostly worried about rust and rot. No interior
Many previous threads on this, (mostly about sheds/garages/barns) mainly related to rodents, snakes, and bums. A barn is lucky to have: My cousin went out to the barn, opened the door of his '32 Fordor to find a derelict wino in the back seat. Empty wine bottles, garbage, etc. Guy was living like a rat... he got a .357 eviction.
Up in my neck of the woods business put out piles of pallets,,,free for the taking. My buds dad framed his whole 25 x 30 shop using pallets. They are also good for building a platform for storing a vehicle,,,You just have to keep in mind when you tarp a vehicle air has to circulate,,even those portable garages require venting and most have none. Go figure a big *** plastic bag is just a moisture trap.
In my opinion, you're better to store it outside with no cover, than to cover it with a tarp that doesn't breathe. All you do is trap evaporating moisture under the tarp. Kinda like keeping it in a sauna.
very true.. getting it up off the ground is a huge plus.. If you are worried about prying eyes or theft..than I'd find a way to get it inside a structure
So basically find a way of modifying the tarp by adding vent flaps to it? I was thinking about laying two pieces of 1/4" thick 5' by 10' rubber mats underneath the car. Wasn't sure what good it would do. I think i should be set then, I appreciate the quick response, thanks!
F.Y.I.: Those tarps deteriorate and will let water and/or moisture in. I know, I lost one car because of a tarp.
Also, I've seen cars under tarps have their paint rubbed off by the subtle movement of the tarp with normal winds, etc.
If all you are looking for is temporary storage go down to Tractor supply and get one of these. inexpensive,different sizes . In your area might have to put in a few extra braces to support the snow but it keeps everything not in contact with the car.
Have had great results storing my projects outside in the winters by coating the whole ch***is, suspension, etc with a heavy dose of WD-40. Load up a gallon in a simple pump-up bug sprayer and have at it. When you are ready to undo it, simply load the bug sprayer with Simple Green to rinse off the WD. Works great !
Considering that you're in Ct, unless you want it to develop mold, rust, corrosion, and other fun ****......rent dry storage space. Those temporary garage tents from Tractor Supply **** for this purpose. In our neck of the woods (New England area) they too trap moisture like tarps do. I tried it, no bueno.
A tarp actually touching the body, chrome, etc. is very bad. Protection from water and sun with room around it for air to circulate is the best way to go other than having it in a building.
protecting the underside from ground moisture is just as important as protecting the top side. Moisture barrier under the car is effective, also make sure how ever you cover the top side, allow for any moisture to escape through evaporation and air movement from under the cover
I know they make zippered car storage bags, but I've never seen an outdoor rated one. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I think you need to get your project done. 5 years? But yes, get a $200 pop up temporary shelter untill them. I have one for storing my boat. 8 years and still standing.
I found tarps always seem to attract wasps and those ****ers can get real nasty when you want to get access to your parts.
whats wrong with an actuall car cover. about 130 for a decent one. lets car breath without trapping moisture in.
^^^^^ I'm lucky to live in Texas! It's a fairly dry climate, and my problem is mostly the **** from the trees in my yard and the Texas sun. I keep my 47 and my O/T Vette both under covers on the driveway. At least for the moment. When I get rid of the junk in my garage, the Vette will come inside as it's a convertible. One thing I do is cover them, like this weekend, when I know rain is coming. Then when things dry out, I uncover them to let them breath, and to let the covers dry completely. I wash the cars on the driveway a lot! Not the best solution by far, but the little town I live in won't let me build any more on my lot. I believe car covers are a good temporary solution. The covers give themselves up in the elements pretty quickly though, and long term that is going to get pricey!
what ever you do, make sure that air curculates and never set a car on stone, stone driveways and parking lots will **** up your car faster then you can say ****! they hold moisture, and than wick it back out.. I would suggest you would be way better off if you just got it up off the ground, and didnt cover it at all.. no matter how you vent it..once the snow gets on it, your vents will be useless, same with any amount of heavy rain
Yup. And after a cool night followed by a warm humid day (pretty frequent occurance up in this area), the car will be covered in condensation in one of those tents. Been there, done that, never doing it again.
Vent flaps won't do it. If the tarp is laying right on the roof of your car, it's holding moisture against it every night when the temp is above freezing. Better would be to build a frame around the car that will hold the tarp and make sure THAT has vent flaps.
He's one of our young guns goes to school works part time and is building his car on his dime,All of that means little money and little time to work on the car and he does most everything he can himself but is smart enough to go to a pro for some things like welding.
Not to get off topic, but if he's a young gun, my suggestion is to spend the money he pays a pro welder and buy his own, then learn to use it. In the end, he'll save money and probably get that project finished a lot sooner. And as a builder, those skills will set him free. (I'm talkin to you Mink ) Tarp under car=good Tarp over car=bad BUT, I'd take a long 2x4 and support it on each end by a block or something. Then lay a tarp over it to form a very low tent like thing. Then drive the car over it. The reason I'd do that is to slope the tarp away from the center of the car so that any water that gets under it runs off to the sides instead of pooling under the car.
I was thinking on the same line as roddinron. Rig a tent frame type structure just high enough so that the tarp will clear the top and body of the car and not touch allowing air to flow though. Quite often around here a guy can find one of the frames from one of those tarp carport things for free or real cheap. I paid 35.00 for mine and another 30 for a tarp to cover it. If a guy cut the legs short enough to just have it above the car rather than be able to walk around in it it shouldn't catch the wind too much.
I used that "Garage in a box" like Brad Chevy posted. Worked great. Even had room for extra parts. I put down a vapor barrier then covered it with gravel. Think I had 350$ in it all told. Only drawbacks was the wind (you really have to anchor it down) & I had to knock the snow off.
I have a Costco 10'x20' canopy that I not only store a car in, but built my g***er in: Now it's used as storage for my OT Camaro. It's been up two winters+ so far, and when it's zipped shut and my propane heater is running I can work in there in a T shirt.
^^^...I also have one of those in front of my garage for storing my trike and misc. model a project parts. It's been up for about 5 years now and I don't have any issues with it. It breathes just fine, and it's not like it doesn't rain here in Oregon!
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