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.
How do you prepare a classic car for winter storage?
Carrying out pre-hibernation checks is 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 and 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) Reduce 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 from 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.
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 concerned about the best way to maintain your classic car, consider consulting with the team at Stratton Motor Company, who can discuss Classic Car Storage Options in Norfolk with you.