Vintage Car Still Working After Several Years

Oct. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- You have put a lot of time, energy and care into your classic car so you want to ensure you properly prepare it for storage.  A little maintenance on your part will ensure your car is safe from corrosion, rust and faulty parts that can occur during storage if proper maintenance is not undertaken first. As well, if you properly maintain your car before storage, then when the spring and summer months arrive your car will be ready for use.

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Pre-Storage Preparation
Before you store your car for the winter, or perhaps even for extended periods there are a number of steps you should take:

1.   Wash Your Car Thoroughly
You should clean the interior, exterior, under carriage and under the hood of your car thoroughly.  Ensure you remove all dirt and grime from these areas.  Dirt and grime can cause rust and corrosion over time.  Pay particular attention to the chrome on your car and ensure you polish the chrome properly and ensure these areas are extra clean. Apply a high quality auto wax to the car and ensure all areas that are covered with paint are waxed well.  Make sure that you clean, dust and vacuum the interior of the car, which will make it a pleasure to drive come spring time.  It is very important to ensure the car is completely dry before you put it away in storage so that you can prevent rust formation.

2.   Check All Your Fluid Levels
You will want to ensure that the gas tank is full to avoid any corrosion.  As well, make sure that the antifreeze is full for your radiator and that windshield washer fluid is filled with winter antifreeze – if not then you should drain it completely.  As well, you should change the following fluids in your car before storing it:
•   Engine oil
•   Brake fluid
•   Coolant
•   Washer fluid
•   Clutch fluid
•   Oil filter

When you use your car these fluids can collect bits of dust, dirt and grime and when your car is stored this can result in corrosion, which is why you should change these fluids before storing your car.

3.   Protect Your Battery
If you are storing your car over the winter months then you should disconnect the battery to ensure it does not drain during the time it’s in storage.  If you are storing your car for a more extended period of time then you will want to remove the battery from your car completely.  As batteries age and are exposed to low temperatures they can crack.

4.   Protect The Tires
There are three main ways that you can protect your tires while your car is in storage:
•   Jack up the car and place it on jack stands to prevent your tires from developing flat spots and to reduce strain on your suspension and other parts
•   Coat tires in lithium grease to prevent the tires from cracking, drying out or developing leaks
•   Over inflate tires

5.    Lubricate
Use a silicone lubricant or lithium grease to coat the weather stripping and door seals of your car.  Lubricate the door hinges, latches and locks as well as the hood and trunk latches.  If these latches lose their lubrication they can become difficult to open.

6.   Take Preventative Measures Against Rodents and Other Pests
Plug your tail pipe and intake (depending on its size) with aluminum foil or steel wool to protect mice and other critters from crawling inside while your car is in storage.

7.   Don’t Use The Parking Break!
Leaving the parking brake engaged while your car is in storage can freeze the shoes to the drum making it difficult to free them.

Choose Appropriate Storage
You should look for a storage facility with good security that provides winter maintenance.  If you are using an outside storage space you should consider a proper custom made cocoon fabric covering over tarps.  As tarps move in the wind they can scratch your cars exterior. If you are using an indoor storage space ensure that there is adequate ventilation so the vehicle isn’t prone to condensation.

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A little time and effort on your part before you put your classic car in storage will ensure it is well cared for and will help extend the life the vehicle as well as its parts.

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