What You Need to Know About Classic Car Storage
By Tim Tetaj, September 18, 2017
Just because you are not taking your classic car out for a spin every day doesn't mean that you can expect it to be safe from the damaging effects of the elements. Without the right protection, classic cars may quickly deteriorate over a short period of time. To prevent this from happening, here are some classic car storage tips that will help you keep your baby in top condition.
Classic Car Storage Tips
Give your car a thorough detailing. It is always a good idea to give your car a good detailing before storing it. Wash all traces of dirt and road salts from the body and undercarriage and give paint it a good waxing. Vacuum the upholstery to make sure there are no leftover food crumbs that might attract critters, and lubricate all rubber parts to prevent them from cracking or rotting. Do this early in the day to give your car ample time to dry before putting it in storage.
Drain your fluids. Change or drain your fluids if you are storing your car for long periods of time. For best results, drain your car's fluids while it is still warm so that it can pick up all traces of contaminants. You should also drain the cooling system and then refill it with anti-freeze to better protect it against corrosion.
Keep your gas tank full. If you are storing your car for a few months, make sure your gas tank is full to reduce the amount of moisture that can be absorbed by the gasoline, and use a gasoline stabilizer to prevent fuel deterioration. However, for long term classic car storage (more than 6 months), consider draining the fuel tank thoroughly to prevent it from clogging your valves and carburetor.
Bleed your brakes and clutch systems. Old brake fluids may contain contaminants that may cause your system to deteriorate so it would be best to let it bleed. Refill it with fresh brake fluid before parking your car for the long term.
Grease the joints. If your car has lube fittings, fill the universal joints with fresh grease before storing it. Pay special attention to your front wheel bearings, as well as your steering and suspension fittings.
Take care of the smaller details. Before finally covering up your car, make sure you roll down your windows to allow air to circulate. Place boxes of baking soda or mothballs to absorb moisture and keep vermin out by stuffing an old rug up the tailpipe.
Provide proper protection. Ideally, you should store your car in a cool, dry environment to protect it from the elements and other external factors that may cause it to deteriorate. Thus, an indoor garage would be your best bet. Whether you are storing your car indoors or outdoors, consider using a high quality car cover since it can provide an added layer of protection to help you keep your classic car in top condition. For best results, choose one that provides ample protection against external factors while allowing air to circulate.
