Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?

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    Author Topic: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?  (Read 3694 times)

    Offline MyMopar

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    Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « on: August 18, 2008 - 01:43:55 PM »
    I need some help with the proper way to store a project car outside.  This winter I will be redoing my Challenger, but I have my wife's convertible that she just got that will need to be parked inside for the winter.  So my 69 Charger which is in need of a complete resto will have to be stored outside for the winter. 
    Now winter Im talking about New England so it will see lots of snow, rain and ice.  The location outside is right next to the garage, it is an area of dirt and kind of sandy soil.  What steps should I take? 
    Should I put the car up on jackstands?
    Should I make wooden blocks and park the car up on that?
    Should I put plywood down under the entire car or just around the perimeter to keep splashing dirt down?

    What have you done?  My main concern is not the weather, but animals making it a home.  I planned to put down so ant and grub powder under the car and using some type of rodent repellent to keep them from getting in the car.
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    Offline Street_Challenged73

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #1 on: August 18, 2008 - 02:20:29 PM »
    I don't really know what you'd want to do to keep it up off the ground, but to keep rodents out of it place several dryer sheets throughout the car.  The best part about doing that is come time to work on it, the interior smells Bounce or Snuggle's fresh. :2thumbs:  I've been using them in my Stealth and must say I don't notice anymore signs of mice around my engine (they previously chewed some of my firewall insulation :villagers:), so the stuff must be working.
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    1973 Dodge Challenger......................The ongoing project. (00/----\00)
    1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo....The sunny day cruiser (RTBoost)
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    All-American Muscle: 'Cudas and Challengers...Still the Elite and always will be.

                                                                                                 
                     
    Street_Challenged73 from Wisconsin

    Offline 72hemi

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #2 on: August 18, 2008 - 02:22:03 PM »
    I would put down plywood.
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    1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
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    Offline darkhawk

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #3 on: August 18, 2008 - 02:30:11 PM »
    What about covering it up.  I usually tarp my project cars up with it up on railroad ties and with some rodent repellant in the car.  To date no issues, but I'm open to better suggestions!
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    Nigel
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    Offline plumcrazy704406

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #4 on: August 18, 2008 - 02:44:24 PM »
    put your car on a bed of vapour barrier,2x4's and 3/4"ply for a floor,overinflate your tires or block it your going to. Any fluids that need to be looked after? If at all possible keep the air moving slightly under the car(this goes for inside or out). Although snow will insulate, watch out for the sunny days when it's melting. It's not usually the cold that will cause the biggest prob's, but the moisture and the rodents. Use the bounce  sheets for the critters. For those in the country with deer prob's, bounce works great on the flower beds they like to eat during the winter months. Your wife will love ya, or be lovin ya! 
     :woohoo:
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    Offline 67vertman

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #5 on: August 18, 2008 - 08:48:11 PM »
    As for tarpping it, I wouldn’t use those cheap blue tarps.  Get your self some heavy duty plastic sheeting, a minimum of 10 mil thick.  The sheets are wide enough and long enough to wrap the whole car with no seams, and I would do a double layer.  Then secure it well, so it doesn’t blow off in the wind, bungee cords or straps works best.  Check the car regularly (every two to four weeks) to see if water or moisture is trapped under the tarp, if so the first dry day you get, take the tarp off to let it dry out.     
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    Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

    I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

    First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

    Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

    Offline Topcat

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #6 on: August 18, 2008 - 09:04:41 PM »
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    Mike, Fremont, CA.

    Offline 422STROKER

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #7 on: August 18, 2008 - 09:05:28 PM »
    How about a 1 car temp garage?  The ones with the round roof.  Cost a few hundred bucks but it can be used as a spray booth later too. :smilielol:

    Tom

    Plastic on the ground on top of plywood arranged to drain.  Maybe a good Quality Car cover to let it breath.

    Also I looked into a Bubble system with dessicant bags, there are some that can be used outside. :money:
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    Tom
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    Offline moparclown

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #8 on: August 18, 2008 - 09:19:26 PM »
    My 69 has done a few winters outside in New England.I don't use a cover because they trap moisture and then freeze to the car.I did wash it when a warm day would arrive.I would put down plywood and some rodent deterint and leave it uncovered :2cents:
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    Offline MyMopar

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #9 on: August 21, 2008 - 10:31:52 AM »
    Quote from: Street_Challenged73 on August 18, 2008 - 02:20:29 PM
    I don't really know what you'd want to do to keep it up off the ground, but to keep rodents out of it place several dryer sheets throughout the car. 

    That is a great tip!  I'll give it a try.



    Quote from: moparclown on August 18, 2008 - 09:19:26 PM
    My 69 has done a few winters outside in New England.I don't use a cover because they trap moisture and then freeze to the car.I did wash it when a warm day would arrive.I would put down plywood and some rodent deterint and leave it uncovered :2cents:

    I know the moparclown lives about 40 minutes northwest of me and see's a bit more snow. 
    Like I said it is a project car which will get all new qtr's, floor boards, trunk floor, valance, rear window work, rocker work and some fender and door work.  I'm not looking into spending a lot of money to store it outside.  I also don't want it to get any worse than it is. 

    Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll go with the 2x4 and plywood route.  I have a breathable car cover so I may go that route for a cover and keep an eye on it.
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    1973 (OO/=====\OO) <---SOLD
    1997 (O|||||O) <---SOLD

    Smoke tires, not drugs!

    Offline tactransman

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #10 on: August 21, 2008 - 11:21:12 AM »
    I wouldn't want rain getting directly on the body if it were mine. These tarps are rubber coated and is what I would put over it. Make sure it has plenty of air space under the car. Remove the tarp when the weather is going to be nice.  :2cents:

    http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_224712+224714+771492
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    Terry-tactransman 
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    Offline Super Blue 72

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    Re: Keeping project car outside for winter, how to store it?
    « Reply #11 on: August 22, 2008 - 03:12:56 AM »
    I live close to Boston and this is what I do.  Whether or not it's correct...I dunno.  :dunno:

    My car is on cement so no problem there but for your car as other's have suggested, plywood/plastic moisture barrier/etc...anything to keep moisture from the ground up. 

    Up top, I have a breathable car cover first.  Due to possible cowl leaks, I then have a sheet of plastic over the car cover.  (you know, the stuff that everyone bought when they though there was a thread of a bio-terrorism attack.  I still have a lot left..  :banghead: )  This prevents any water/rain/melting snow into the cowl area and trunk, oh yeah, did I mention a possible trunk leak.  :clueless:  Now, loosely on top of the car cover and plastic, is one of those cheap blue tarps.  I use cinder blocks on the 4 corners and since it's parked next to a stockade fence, I attach one side of it to the fence to make a "lean to" sort of thing where when it snows, I can walk under one side and push off snow from under the tarp. So 3 loose layers.

    As tantransman mentioned, I uncover the car to air it out here and there, of course harder to do when it snows.

    I had a mouse hotel when I got the car but I put moth balls (Napthalene) here and there and rodent glue boards with bait and haven't caught one Mickey yet so I think the moth balls are working.  Might be an idea to cover/block off tailpipes/air filter snorkel/etc.

    Side story:  I used to work at Acura and there was an old Acura Legend that had no power.  End of story was that a mouse had evidently filled the whole air filter housing/resonator assembly/cold air intake with about 3 pounds of cat food.  :faint:
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