parking car outside for the winter ?

blazer 2010 · Nov 28, 2014

I have to park the car outside for the winter on some grass and dirt,we,ll get snow ,rain etc for a couple months.I was wondering if parking the car on a sheet of poly or a tarp would help with moisture or just trap more moisture underneath.Will have a car cover on top.

Dako · Nov 28, 2014

Don't do it. I have a buddy who thought putting a tarp underneath, then wrapping from the top would preserve his `66 442 while outside would help 'preserve' it. When he unwrapped it several months later, the rust and corrosion was WAY worse than what he had experienced the 6 months it sat outside totally exposed. Your car will fare much better if it has the chance to 'breathe'. That tarp will sweat, providing more moisture, not less.

nm9stheham · Nov 28, 2014

If the tarp is laid and kept flat so air can freely move under the car, and not wrapped up around the car, it may help. I would punch some holes in the ground tarp to let it drain. Parked over grass and dirt can be pretty bad to keep the underside of the car moist; if the sun comes out and the air warms a bit, then the humidity increases and condenses on the underside of the cold car.

Not sure if a light colored tarp is better or a dark one; a black one could absorb heat form the sun and re-radiate it up under part of the car.

Any way to put a several inch of gravel down where the car is parked to keep the moisture further away from the car?

cr8crshr · Nov 28, 2014

Search out a suitable indoor arrangement maybe?????

Cranky · Nov 28, 2014

You would come out ahead to rent a storage building for it....and one that has a concrete floor and not dirt.

SublimeSixpack · Nov 28, 2014

If parking over dirt and/or lawn I think staking down a large tarp on the ground couldn't hurt. Park the car on top of it, then be sure and use a high quality car cover (Noah Fabric is a good choice) on the car.

HawkRod · Nov 28, 2014

I don't have any good answers for you on the best way to protect the car in your situation. I will tell you that from experience, parking a car over grass/dirt is a great way to rapidly accelerate rust. My advice is try really hard not to do it - better if you can park it on asphalt or concrete, or of course, indoors.

I know that is easy to say and may be impossible in your situation. My understanding is the grass and dirt provide an almost unlimited amount of moisture that can continually condense on the bottom of the car. This provides lots of moisture to help speed rust.

I agree with others that if you use a tarp it must be laid flat and allow for air circulation, but I honestly don't know if it will help or hurt.

My father-in-law has used car bubbles for his cars with great results (admittedly inside a building, but with a dirt floor and no heat or A/C). I am not sure if using one is allowed in your neighborhood (and may attract unwanted attention too), or if it will work well outside - I'm just brain storming ideas...

clemul · Nov 28, 2014

Park it over sheets of plywood if you have any laying around...

mopar 3 B · Nov 28, 2014

Rolled roofing with planking on top to drive car on is way better than a tarp and will not be effected by the elements near as bad as a tarp. Have done this on the rock floor in my garage with no rust problem. Will your neighbor hood allow temporary tent structures check Harbor Freight for less than 300 maybe just what you need.

451Mopar · Nov 28, 2014

If the car has a good paint job, find some indoor parking is your best bet. I parked my charger outside one year with a good car cover, but the wind would sometimes blow hard to where the straps holding the car cover on rubbed the lower rockers and scratched (rubbed/marred) the clear coat pretty bad. That was with a California car covers Noah fabric cover.

soundhd · Nov 29, 2014

do yourself and your car a favor and buy a car storage bag to keep it in............your best solution to having to park a classic car/truck outside (or inside for that matter) for a long period of time.

blazer 2010 · Nov 29, 2014

OK thanks for the ideas,I think the tar paper sounds like a good idea with some plywood

parking car outside for the winter ?

blazer 2010

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Dako

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nm9stheham

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cr8crshr

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Cranky

Banned Henchman #27

SublimeSixpack

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HawkRod

Formerly hsorman

clemul

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mopar 3 B

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451Mopar

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soundhd

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blazer 2010

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