If you live in the Midwest, Old Man Winter is once again giving us the cold shoulder, which means car enthusiasts have a lot of work to do. Storing your classic car in the proper environment is crucial for keeping it in mint condition, especially if you live in a wintery climate.
Here are nine things to consider for storing your car in an optimal space.
1. Opt for a heated storage space
You know the effects the elements can have on a classic car. Ultraviolet rays break down rubber and vinyl over time, and can also fade paint. Rain, snow, and sleet—especially in the Midwest, where precipitation can be acidic—can lead to rust and water spots. Water can also break down the car’s finish.
Just because you store the vehicle indoors does not mean you are resistant to the elements.
Oscillating temperatures can wear on your car’s rubber, oil, and detail. Vinyl expands and contracts if regularly subjected to extreme heat and cold, and can end up cracking. Surfaces can also become weathered.
Choosing a heated storage space means keeping your classic car in more pristine condition. The best way to avoid those oscillating temperatures is to store your car at 50 degrees (the norm among classic car enthusiasts).
Also, opting to keep your storage space heated means you can clean, condition, wax, and dress the tires in winter months without long johns and a puffy coat!
2. Design your building to meet your needs
A lot of people who store their cars also have a workshop or maybe even a “man cave” area in the building with a bar, couch, television, and refrigerator. Your heated storage space can double as a great spot to hang out and socialize.
The size and design of your building will depend on the number of cars you’re storing, and whether or not you decide to also store tools, lifts, or a work bench.
3. You may want to opt for a gravel surface in an unheated building
Moisture can be tough to control in an unheated building. Storing your car on a gravel base instead of a concrete one can decrease the level of moisture inside an unheated storage space.
New concrete takes one or two years to fully cure, which gives off a lot of moisture.
Additionally, if the cured concrete absorbs any precipitation on its edges—whether from soil or rain—it can spread throughout the entire slab, adding excess moisture to the air in your building.
4. Park your vehicle on a thick piece of plastic
Use plastic or foam insulation as a moisture barrier. You do not want moisture from the floor to destroy your car’s underbody, exhaust, or brake components.
5. Make sure you have enough stabilizer
Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas and run your car for 15 minutes (outside or with all garage doors open). This ensures your fuel system has enough stabilizer throughout your vehicle before storing.
6. Keep your car’s moving parts lubricated
First, we recommend taking out your battery and storing it elsewhere. Use a trickle charger to keep it topped off.
Then, once a month, take the battery to your car’s storage space and run the car for 10 minutes. This keeps the pumps and other moving parts lubricated.
Keep in mind the exhaust needs to be managed. You want to avoid filling your storage building with exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide.
7. Ensure adequate ventilation
If you plan to paint, drain gas, or introduce other toxic fumes in your storage space, make sure it is properly ventilated.
An uninsulated building should have a vented roof, vented eaves, and adequate window and door ventilation to ensure airflow when working with toxic fumes.
8. Have a floor with drainage
With the ability to wash your car inside, you can take it out during the winter and wash off the corrosive salt elements immediately upon your return.
9. Choose a post-frame building for more height
If you plan to stack classic cars on top of one another using a lift or platform, or would also like to store a boat and RV, opt to build a post-frame building, aka a pole barn.
Post-frame construction is stronger and allows for taller buildings than stick-built construction because it uses laminated columns for the truss supports in comparison to a single stick of lumber. It will allow for greater height than a stick-built building.
For anything beyond a traditional garage size, it would be a lower cost given the number and strength of trusses engineered into your building.
10. Take These Considerations to the Next Level
As you can see, storing a classic car isn’t just about detailing, draining, and greasing. It’s also about factors like heating and ventilating—and choosing the right building design for your needs.
For a smooth ride come spring AND a storage space as exceptional as your car, a pole barn could be a great option. Just know that pole barn construction is no small undertaking, and everyone has different timelines, capabilities, and budgets. If you’re thinking about building one, remember that you don’t have to go it alone.
If you’d rather work with an expert, take the next and start a discussion with a local Wick builder.
