covering car for winter storage?

mdross1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010, 02:46 PM

Up until last year always covered car in storage,this year car is sitting in front of our everyday driver on jack stands.Considering it has to be cleaned every spring no cover this winter so I can enjoy looking at her every time I walk by or drive in/out of the garage.Everybody that sees it has to say something adding to the experience of owning such a great car.

mkassab · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 06:00 AM

You should NOT store your car on Jack Stands (unless it’s #4 below)! Doing it this way has the shocks/suspension fully extended and that's not good. I have 4 good options for you to consider:
1. fill tires to max tire pressure and keep weight on the cars suspension
2. if your still worried about your tires, roll the car to help prevent flat spots every few week
3. if 2 isn't good enough, buy a set (4) tires cradles pads.... something like this http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...FcG77Qod0T_m0Q
4. put jack stands under your suspension (this can be tricky and dangerous if not done correctly) to keep the car's weight on the suspension.

Porsche recommends #1. I do #1 and #3.

Mark

mkassab · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 06:03 AM

just found two more items:

http://www.autogeek.net/tire-supports.html

and from a Corvette forum.... I thought this was a very good option:
...I would jack the car up put wood blocks under the suspension arms just thick enough to keep the tires from touching the ground. This will keep the suspension loaded as it normally is with the tires off the ground. This set up will allow you to start the car and run thru the gears provided your storage spot has sufficient ventilation.

Mark

mrmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 06:41 AM

Forget jack stands, a 10X18 plastic tarp and some scrap carpet is all you need to store the car inside your garage. Plastic tarp keeps the ground moisture from wicking up through the concrete floor (even treated/painted floor allows moisture to seep through), the carpet (I suggest really ugly,thick, shag remnants) keeps your tires (maximum inflation) from flat spotting. Simple yet effective. If you want, for added protection, you can throw two sheets of 4X8 plywood down on top of the tarp. The plywood will absorb any ambient moisture around your car.

Bill S.

Fullchat289 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Forget jack stands, a 10X18 plastic tarp and some scrap carpet is all you need to store the car inside your garage. Plastic tarp keeps the ground moisture from wicking up through the concrete floor (even treated/painted floor allows moisture to seep through), the carpet (I suggest really ugly,thick, shag remnants) keeps your tires (maximum inflation) from flat spotting. Simple yet effective. If you want, for added protection, you can throw two sheets of 4X8 plywood down on top of the tarp. The plywood will absorb any ambient moisture around your car.

Bill S.

Seeing as you were the latest person to post in this thread, I had to open it up to read your response b/c I would have put money on you telling the OP to forget storage and just drive the car throughout the Winter....although maybe a bit harsh of a recommendation for a person in Maine... I still have to say you dissappointed me Bill...

- Allen.

mrmustang · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullchat289

Seeing as you were the latest person to post in this thread, I had to open it up to read your response b/c I would have put money on you telling the OP to forget storage and just drive the car throughout the Winter....although maybe a bit harsh of a recommendation for a person in Maine... I still have to say you dissappointed me Bill...

- Allen.

That is the other reason to store it the way I said to, as it leaves it ready to go when I am

kayakjack · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkassab

You should NOT store your car on Jack Stands (unless it’s #4 below)! Doing it this way has the shocks/suspension fully extended and that's not good.

Just curious - if you took the wheels off the car removing that weight from pulling down the suspension, wouldn't it be fine the leave the car on jack stands.

Not that I would do it. I use my car year 'round. Just wondering.

Jack

HI Cobra · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 11:40 AM

Wouldn't the springs extend everything to the max so taking the wheels off
wouldn't make any difference?

mdross1 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 01:56 PM

My car is normally sitting on the floor has been since built in 93,this season it's on stands one set under rear differential, other set under lower control arms almost touching tires.Suspension is loaded properly,actually long term store all my cars that way.All the years been storing cars over Maine winters never had tires flat spot.Drive a Cobra through a Maine winter,now that's a funny one I don't care who you are.

mkassab · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakjack

Just curious - if you took the wheels off the car removing that weight from pulling down the suspension, wouldn't it be fine the leave the car on jack stands.

Not that I would do it. I use my car year 'round. Just wondering.

Jack

As I've read and understand, it's not the weight of the wheel/tires.... it's the fact the shocks are at full extention.

Mark

Blas · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 08:10 AM

As I remember, only steel-belted radial tires had prolonged problems with flat spots after a long storage periods. Non steel-belted tires should round-out again after a couple good "heating ups" on the road in the spring...As to the covering of the car question...There is a lot of airborne dust and dirt that will settle on your paint and interior over the winter with the car uncovered...covering is probably more a decision of whether you care or not about issues like that...
Blas

xlr8tr · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 10:31 AM

Here's an inetresting option- covered, yet still visible:

http://www.carcapsule.com/

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

As I remember, only steel-belted radial tires had prolonged problems with flat spots after a long storage periods. Non steel-belted tires should round-out again after a couple good "heating ups" on the road in the spring...As to the covering of the car question...There is a lot of airborne dust and dirt that will settle on your paint and interior over the winter with the car uncovered...covering is probably more a decision of whether you care or not about issues like that...
Blas

Yep. Mine stays in a sealed, moisture controlled, bag from Thanksgiving to Easter. Once a month or so I will roll it forward, or back, a few inches in the bag even with the steel belted radials (I do put an extra ten pounds of air in the tires). The car comes out in the spring just like it went in during the late fall. The battery is disconnected via a quick switch, a bottle of StaBil is in the full tank of gas, and it fires right up.

mdross1 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 04:34 PM

We all have our own ways of doing thing for sure.As long as we are all on the road in the spring and enjoy our toys is the bottom line.Speaking of us that live in the snow belt.My toys give me the satisfacton I always felt they would,and keeping them mechanically sound is a part of that feeling.Some of that contentment also comes from building them.Hiding them under covers or not being able to get near them was something that always bothered me.As I said before they always need cleaning in the spring so why not enjoy them to the fullest.