Do not cover cars which are in storage outdoors. Materials don't breath and it will wreck your paint. Even if you use say a wolf car cover with breathable material, the car covers break down very quickly in our damp climate.
The best way to store outside is out of those air bubble things, that you put your whole car in. (however they require a pump 24x7 to keep it inflated).
Starting the car occasionally without driving it for more than an hour is a waste of time. You wear the engine as oil pressure doesn't build and you build up carbon.
If you are planning to store for more than a year:
1. Claybar and polish everything.
2. Remove all things that hold tension eg shocks, brake calipers (I would just take the whole assembly off and rebuild)
3. Drain everything including oil,tranny, brake fluids etc.
4. Drop all the pans and remove all the gaskets (you will need to replace them anyways, they will shrink).
5. Sell the tires (it won't be in great shape after 4 years anyways).
6. Put silicate all over the place to absorb moisture
7. Remove main fuses and document what you have removed.
8. Leave windows slightly open so it allows the interior to breath, of course make sure your interior is clean (including the foam paddings)
9. Put in a box all the things you need to start the car (other than fluids), new plugs, brake pads, etc (new shocks etc should be stored upright, so you should build a jig)
10. You need a large of static wrap to wrap the body etc.
Most storage places rent car sized storage for about $50 a month (in case you want to budget)
In my book, to do it properly takes a whole lot of time and effort. It will probably take more than a weekend. Since you want to make sure everything is dry.
If you lend the car to someone, you have to sign over your title. Do not just lend it to a friend, because if there is any accident, you are responsible for it.
Your car is not any collectible unless you have serious emotional attachment to it, just sell the thing.
Last edited by godwin; 03-11-2010 at 05:47 PM.
|