Classic Car Storage Norfolk, Winter Covered

None of us wants to put away our favourite classic car for the winter months, but we understand that salty roads and classic motors do not mix, especially icy roads and penetrating muck. Whether its a classic Bentley or special Aston Martin 

How do you prepare a classic car for winter storage?

Carrying out pre-hibernation checks are essential to ensure that your pride and joy wakes from its slumber in the best condition possible. We have prepared a few tips to help you. 

1) Grime first, remove all residual muck 

The golden rule is to clean your car; dead bugs can be acidic dirt can tarnish Chrome. Protect your brightwork with a thorough wash and wax, then soak up all excess water from seals and rubbers. Use the opportunity to feed leather interiors and clean surfaces and carpets. 

2) Reduct rodent appeal, with food removal

Do not provide an invite, remove all food from the car, unnecessary blankets, paperwork and anything that would make mice bedding - Get rid... Mice and rats can ingress through openings, so block all obvious entry points such as exhausts and close vents. Steel wool can be perfect for exhausts as mice will not chew steel wool. 

3) Humidity is key

Moisture is the enemy, and damp sheds are not the right environment for your car. Slow rot and encouraging rust will undo all your hard work and efforts to this point. As the custodian of an old car, your job is principally to maintain it for the next generation, and this is also a life-long challenge. Leave a window cracked to stop condensation growing mould. Use a bespoke car cover if you have one, designed for your vehicle as this will reduce sitting moisture, dust and dirt while in storage. 

4) Inflate the tyres before storage

Flat spotting happens when tyres lose pressure, so pump them before storage; this will help maintain them until you bring the car out of storage. If you can jack the car up to lessen the contact with the floor, this removes the issue of tyre degradation. You may choose to consider wheel alignment too. 

5) Stop! - Do not use the emergency brake

Leave the handbrake off, and you may have heard this before, but leave the handbrake off as this can seize up and be difficult to fix. Then check your brake fluid and leave your classic car in gear while in storage. 

6) Change the oil and filters

Changing the filters and the oil removes the corrosive dirt and metal compounds from settling in the engine. Make sure you do this as a priority. 

7) Trickle charge or disconnect the battery

Battery health can fade quickly in cold environments, to a point where it is difficult to recover the cells, so consider trickle charging or completely disconnecting your battery for optimum results. 

8) Anti seize & anti freeze

Treat all grease points and use silicon grease on rubber seals. Top up anti-freeze ready. Lubricate hinges and locks.

9) Lift wipers off the glass

Consider using a soft block to keep the wipers off the glass to avoid fusion or remove them altogether. Although it is so important to take this step, be careful when you start your car that the wiper arms are not in contact with your window, or you may get two perfect semi-circle scores across your windows. 

Consider professional Classic Car Storage

If you are worried about the best way to maintain your classic car, consider speaking with the team at Stratton Motor Company, who can discuss Classic Car Storage in Norfolk with you.