Maybe the season is beginning to change, and your classic car is not something you want to expose to the rigors of harsher climates. Or perhaps you are taking an extended trip or vacation and need to store your vehicle away for a few months. No matter the reason for storing your classic car, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure your vehicle is up and ready whenever you choose to drive it again.
Location
Before you store your vehicle, you need to ensure that you choose the right location for storage. The ideal place to keep your car stored away for a long period of time is somewhere that is dry and dark, with limited access. According to the experts at https://www.traminngarage.co.uk/classic-car-restoration-services-hereford-and-nationwide/ have a significant understanding of the importance of proper storage of your classic car. Many vehicles are brought into auto repair shops and restoration shops frequently for improper or negligent storage. Not properly doing so might require you to have to take extra steps of bringing it back to life after a period of hibernation that will only be done by professionals. Keep your storage area dry so as to prevent moisture related problems like mold, bacteria or other types of fungus from developing up while it is left alone for an extended amount of time. UV rays will be damaging to your tires and paint, so keeping your vehicle in a dark area will help keep it maintained for the duration of your storage. And you want to limit the ease of access to your vehicle to prevent animals, pests, and other people from your vehicle to reduce the chances of damage to it.
Washing
Before storing your car, there are a few things you need to do before you leave it to hibernate. You should always store your car with a vehicle cover, regardless of where the location is. This will ensure that it stays dust free. But before you cover your vehicle prior to placing it in storage, you should make sure to thoroughly wash and wax it. Following these steps will not only ensure your car is ready to be taken out on the road immediately, but will be an extra measure that helps minimize scratches from dirt when covering your vehicle or removing your car cover. If you see any chips or cracks on your windshield, an auto windshield replacement could be a part of your restoration budget.
Gas, and Oil
Before you leave your classic car to rest for a few months, you want to make sure all the necessary care is performed. Fill your gas tank as this will ensure there is as little air in there as possible. More air in your tank means moisture will build up and lead to rust problems. It is also good practice to change your oil and filters as this should prevent harmful and damaging chemicals that are being bad for your engine while you are keeping your car in storage. And if you think your engine needs to be replaced, you might want to check out this Cummins 6.7 performance engine.
Lift
If you are storing your vehicle for months on end, you might want to consider jacking up the car. The idea behind wanting to elevate your vehicle is that tires can develop flat spots over time while you keep your car stored away. These can usually go away after driving for a while, but not always. If you want to prevent flat spots and keep your tires in pristine condition, keep the pressure of the car’s weight off your tires and have your vehicle lifted off the ground during storage if possible. This will also help with your vehicle’s suspension as well, improving your car’s longevity
Sealing Exhausts
When storing your vehicle over the winter months or for extended periods of time, you should look to covering and sealing any exhausts or openings. Ensure that windows and doors are closed properly. Pests and animals like small spaces, as they seek protection from others and the weather, especially during colder months. Taking your time to properly put away and secure your vehicle for long periods of time will help you from finding uninvited guests when you bring out your vehicle again. You should take preventative measures by closing off access to your car’s heating system, and blocking up the air filter box and exhaust pipes with steel wool. This will help prevent rodents who will slip into the smallest of spaces from setting up a home in your car.
Battery Care
Long storage and extended periods of unused will lead to a weaker if not completely dead battery. To help prevent your battery from dying and to make sure it is good to go when you are set to take your car out of storage, you want to make sure you follow steps to keep it alive. You must remove the battery and store it somewhere away from the cold in your home to prevent any damage, or you should also buy something called a battery maintainer or battery tender. These will help keep your vehicle’s battery charged while it is being stored. These steps should help give you solutions for preventing a dead battery during the season where your car is idle and not being used. Also, having these solutions for keeping your battery charged also helps if you want to take your car out in the middle of storage for a quick spin, without having to return the battery and remove it again.
Long storage and extended amounts of unused will be detrimental to your vehicle. You need to take the proper steps to make sure your car is in good shape while you keep it stored away. This way, it is still running and maintained properly. This way, when you’re ready to take your car out for a spin, it’s as easy as starting it up.
