Do's and Dont's of car storage

prahunt · Post by **prahunt** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:14 pm

So just wondering what everyone's do and do nots are for storing cars?
I will be storing my Lude over winter and the intention is to bring her back on come March and the good weather

Are there are tips on how to ensure you don't get any seizures, unwanted vistitors, etc?
What do you do on insurance and tax?
Service before or after storage?
Windows up or down? Battery connected or out?
Do you still use a car cover even when storing inside? What are the benefits?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:20 pm

Where are you storing? In a garage? Wooden, brick or concrete?

Tax-wise, just SORN it.

You can have a car still insured/not taxed, but not the other way round (taxed/not insured)

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:26 pm

Store through the summer and drive through the winter. That way it doesn't Get chance to get damp and mouldy

prahunt · Post by **prahunt** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 6:32 pm

Would be stored in a concrete garage.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 7:11 pm

No covers. Windows up, but get those cheap disposable dehumidifiers and put a couple inside. Then check them from time to time, ideally without opening the car up, so put them close to the windows. Battery out as well. No point in leaving it in to drain. Also leave the hand brake off, so chock the wheels in case someone leans on it

Post by **BlackMwack** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:27 pm

Aren't concrete garages bad for paintwork?

Post by **paul bristol uk** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:47 pm

BlackMwack wrote:Aren't concrete garages bad for paintwork?

Only if they fall on it.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:51 pm

paul bristol uk wrote:
BlackMwack wrote:Aren't concrete garages bad for paintwork?
Only if they fall on it.

Damn it Paul!

prahunt · Post by **prahunt** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:55 pm

paul bristol uk wrote:
BlackMwack wrote:Aren't concrete garages bad for paintwork?
Only if they fall on it.

Couldn't help but chuckle.
On a serious note I was thinking of putting some padding round the walls to ensure no damage to doors.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:26 pm

Concrete garages are appallingly damp and dusty.

Take it from me, who had 2 cars stored in concrete council garages.
The paint on my Sunny was mint when it was parked up (literally, it was polished etc.) it is now completely drokked, just from being stored. It needs pretty much a full respray. The cx hasn't fared so badly, but the bonnet and boot were drokked on that anyway, so that's not really saying much

the paint on the cx I bought this year (stored for the same length of time, but outside) is in better condition!

Ask Phil if you want a second opinion on any of that...

If it's a concrete double garage, it'll be ok (more air, more circulation), if it's a single concrete style council garage, it'll get damp and filthy (whether it leaks or not). Personally I wouldn't put a car with fresh new paint straight into 'long term' storage in those conditions...